Nature Moncton Nature News: Feb 13 2017

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, February 13, 2017 (Monday)

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

Transcript by: David Christie maryspt@mac.com

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

** Louise Nichols visited the Tantramar Marsh on Saturday and was fortunate again to see and photograph the GOLDEN EAGLE [Aigle royal] on a power structure on the north side of the High Marsh Road. Louise also got some interesting photos of RED-TAILED HAWKS [Buse à queue rousse]. Note one photo shows lightening of the banded tail which also has a reddish blush that suggests it may be a juvenile with moult in progress to adult plumage, yet the eye is still yellow. In another photo, one of the two Red-tailed Hawks appears to be mantling, as one would do protecting prey. No prey is evident but may be hidden in the dead grass. This open wing image also beautifully shows the patagial line, that dark band on the front border of the wing, near the body, specific to the Red-tailed Hawk. As well, the more modest carpal wrist patch in comparison to the larger, hockey-puck style patch on a Rough-legged Hawk.

** Marlene Hickman was surprised to spot an AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Amérique] ground-feeding under her Dorchester feeders on Sunday morning. She put out cranberries and hawthorn berries for it. Robins in winter enjoy blueberries, globe grapes, and apples as well. There seem to be more Robins reported the past days. Some may have been in the area all winter but some be moving in from other areas they have cleaned of winter fruit. It certainly seems too early for migrants.

** Brian Stone and I visited the Tantramar Marsh on Sunday afternoon, along with lots of others enjoying the raptor action there. RED-TAILED HAWKS [Buse à queue rousse] and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS [Buse pattue] were lively, as many saw. Three SNOWY OWLS [Harfang des neiges] were spotted late in the day, all at some distance, as drifting drifting snow had blocked part of the Coles Island Road. I expect that the current storm will close it.

As Brian often does, he photographed a solar halo from the marsh. A quartet of WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de Virginie] were spotted eating apples beside a farmhouse in Belliveau Village.

** One correction to yesterday’s edition. The Nature Moncton bird feeder tour this coming Saturday will also include a stop at Connie and Pearl Colpitts feeder yard in Salisbury. The complete itinerary will be aired later in the week.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton