Nature Moncton Nature News: Dec 6 2016

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE - December 6, 2016 (Tuesday)

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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)

** Georges Brun got a nice photo of a 22 degree Solar Halo on Monday afternoon from Riverview. Brian Stone refers to the attached ‘url’ that explains so well what Georges photographed.

http://www.atoptics.co.uk/halo/circular.htm

** Roger LeBlanc suggests a newer lagoon destination to most of us to make calls on when out birding : these are the St-Antoine lagoons which are accessed by taking the Renous Mills Rd which is just past the Irving Gas Station turning right going north. Go in a few kms, and take Henri St, and the lagoons are clearly visible. Roger visited there a few weeks ago to note a few pairs of BARROW'S GOLDENEYE [Garrot d’Islande] but when he checked in on Sunday there were 40 pairs of Barrow’s Goldeneye there. Barrow’s Goldeneye are traditionally seen in winter after freezeup at the Cocagne Bridge, Foch bridge at Big Lobster in Shediac, Bouctouche lagoon, and a few other spots. Roger points out it would be interesting to know if the number wintering in the area is increasing or are these birds just using new locations. Anyone visiting these on the same day could potentially get a handle on that.

** Mac Wilmot had 2 PINE GROSBEAKS [Durbec des sapins] drop by his Lower Coverdale yard on Monday to harvest the seeds of WINTERBERRY holly berries. Nice to see this species moving toward town where there is so much waiting for them.

** Jean-Paul LeBlanc caught a nice photo of a female BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD [Vacher à tête brune] and EUROPEAN STARLING [Étourneau sansonnet] side by side to compare size. The Starling may be puffed up a bit, but the size differential is so obvious when they are side by side.

** Aldo Dorio got a photo of a 2nd winter ICELAND GULL [Goéland arctique] at Neguac Warf. Note only the front half of the bill is dark and the eye should be starting to show some yellow, which maybe it is, but poor light maybe not showing that. Aldo also got a Ist winter Iceland Gull. Note the complete black bill and black eye

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton