Nature Moncton Nature News: Dec 1 2016

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE - December 1, 2016 (Thursday)

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

Transcript by : Louise Richard richlou@nbnet.nb.ca

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

** It is December 1st and the start of the winter of bird lists that will be kept tally-up by Gilles Belliveau; he’ll be monitoring bird sightings until February 28, 2017 and will keep a running list of all new species sighted in that period. Always interesting to keep an eye on, and all appreciation to Gilles for doing that this year again and we’ll be reporting on it periodically.

** Brian Stone shares a photo of a very well preserved bird’s nest from summer. Brian described it as small orange to clementine size. It is suspected to be a VIREO NEST as the vireos like to build their nests suspended in the crotch of branches and often ornament the exterior with birch bark bits and/or lichens. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

** John Filliter’s RING-NECKED PHEASANT [Faisan de Colchide] troop were not particularly impressed with the deep sudden snow of Wednesday. He had 7 birds, all female, arrive to his Cap-Brulé yard looking for tidbits. Last winter must have been a very good winter for Ring-Necked Pheasants. A group of 7 females could give that local population a lot of recruits if this winter is not unduly severe.

** Dave Christie reports, that with the sudden snow, some birds appeared in his Mary’s Point yard to appreciate a food supply. Especially seed spread under a picnic table that became one of the few bare ground areas available. The DICKCISSEL [Dickcissel d’Amérique] that he had seen and heard in a nearby tree on November 24th came to the feeder area spending lots of time ground feeding. Five DARK-EYED JUNCOS [Junco ardoisé] and a few WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à gorge blanche] that he had seen and heard in the bushes before also quickly came in as did a few AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS [Bruant hudsonien]. Surprisingly the number of AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES [Chardonneret jaune] dropped, but suspect that could change soon. On a visit to the beach area, Dave noted 2 young-of-the-year NORTHERN HARRIERS [Busard Saint-Martin] flying high overhead and to the west. On a run to Riverside-Albert, he noted a flock of 15 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal] and a flock of 8-10 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW [Bruant hudsonien] at the corner of the Midway Rd and Route 915, an area that seems to always be a sweet spot for American Tree Sparrows.

Carmela Melanson reports

the Yellow-throated Warbler

is still visiting her Grand Barachois yard today

, December 1,

to make the winter list.It continues to

enjoy peanut butter-suet mixture but is also enjoying grape jelly as some warblers seem to appreciate. As Carmela comments, how can one not adore a bird who loves peanut butter and jelly!
Carmela got nice photos of it, one enjoying the the grape jelly.

My getting even brighter Northern Oriole also arrived today to get on the winter bird list pronto as well. It is getting so bright now, I think it's going to light up. Do we dare dream of getting these two birds on the Christmas bird count

if weather stays mild.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nature Moncton