Nature Moncton Nature News: Nov 26 2016

NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE – November 26, 2016 (Saturday)

Please advise editor at nelson@nb.sympatico.ca if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

Info Line #: 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)

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**At the moment, the weather forecast is not predicting snow to start until later on Sunday, and accumulation not as much as predicted, but there could be some wind. As of this time, the Nature Moncton Bird Feeding Workshop session still is on, with details below. Bring along all your good feeder yard ideas that have worked for you, any feeders you happen to like, and suggestions to share. If things change, a message will be distributed Sunday morning.

Bird Feeding Basics

Nature Moncton Workshop

Sunday, November 27, 2016. 1:00 -4:00 pm

Tankville School, 1665 Elmwood Dr., Moncton

Nelson Poirier will give a session on Bird Feeding Basics on Sunday November 27, 1:00-4:00 pm at the Tankville School, 1665 Elmwood Dr., Moncton.

Topics dealt with will include setting the best buffet that will attract the biggest variety of visitors, suggested feeder types with pros and cons, placement of feeders to best protect yet enjoy your visitors’ presence, getting to know your guests with bird guides/binoculars, the different behavior expectations of your visitors, surprise visitors, placing the "unwelcome" matt out for unwanted visitors, and suggestions on hygiene.

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not. $8 fee per participant to cover costs.

**Elaine Gallant spotted a flock of 15 COMMON REDPOLLS [Sizerin flammé] near the Cape Brûlé lagoon on Friday. It possibly won’t be long before someone gets feeder visits, as the wild BIRCH [Bouleau] catkin supply diminishes.

**Louise Nichols captured several interesting photos over the past few days. Louise visited the Sackville Waterfowl Park on Friday to find the dominant Duck species continues to be GADWALL [Canard chipeau], with smaller numbers of AMERICAN WIGEON [Canard d'Amérique] and MALLARD [Canard colvert] Ducks. The RING-NECKED DUCKS [Fuligule à collier] that were present earlier in the week seem to have moved on; however, the two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS [Bécassin à long bec] are still present in the same spot, as though they had not moved for days. At the lagoon behind the Sackville town garage, the expected Ducks were present; however, Louise did get photos of a mature ICELAND GULL [Goéland arctique] and a first-winter Iceland Gull with an adult RING-BILLED GULL [Goéland à bec cerclé]. Note the all-black bill of the first-winter Iceland Gull and the very dark eye. Louise comments her bird feeder area seems to be more active than last year at this time. There are more BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire] and a steady presence of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES [Sittelle à poitrine rousse], but it was special to have a small flock of EVENING GROSBEAKS [Gros-bec errant] visit on Friday, as well as a male NORTHERN FLICKER [Pic flamboyant] to enjoy suet mix.

**WAXWINGS [Jaseur] will often come to fruit offerings in feeder yards. Rose-Alma Mallet hosted a group of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boreal] last winter that seemed to have a particular passion for bananas, and she shares a photo of them at the banana buffet.

**Mike Britton came across a large BALD-FACED HORNET’s [Guêpe à taches blanches] nest on Friday along a trail in Mapleton Park, which is now in plain view with the leaves fallen. We’ve had a warm fall; however, I suspect the few nights of frost we’ve had have caused the nest to be retired, empty of life, and never to be used again, at least by Wasps.

**Ray Gauvin shares a striking photo he took of Silver Lake in Sackville with the reflection of the large church there on the calm lake. This is the corner where many of us pass on our way to bird the Tantramar Marsh. Ray also comments he had NORTHERN FLICKERS [Pic flamboyant] playing havoc with his lawn as they foraged for ANTS [Fourmi]. Some photos from August show the family getting fed. Ray comments some were still in that area until last week.He also felt he got a glimpse of a PILEATED WOODPECKER [Grand Pic] around his Parlee Beach home recently.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton