NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE – February 4, 2017
(Saturday)
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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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**Unfortunately,
I have to ask birders not to visit the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE [Solitaire de
Townsend] in Riverview. The Crossmans have had complaints from the neighbours
that some folks coming to see the bird are accessing the site via the
neighbour’s yard. Some have blocked driveways, and someone went into the woods
in pursuit of the bird. This is all very disappointing to hear, as the majority
of the birding community are very respectful of private property and careful not
to cause inconvenience. It’s again a reminder to all birders that when anyone
gets a rare bird in their yard to be very respectful of private property. Do not
harass a rare bird in any way, to create a scenario that will prevent birders
from enjoying a rarity to New Brunswick, as this bird is. It’s very unfortunate
that a few of our fellow birders have created this unfortunate
scenario.
**Dave
Christie did hear the PINE SISKIN [Tarin des pins] flock again on Friday around
his Mary’s Point home, but did not see them at the feeders, but he was away a
lot on Friday. One thing David heard which he has never heard in early February
before was one of his three overwintering WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à
gorge blanche] make a weak but very recognizable rendition of its familiar
summer song. It’s the first that he has ever heard in early February, but he has
heard it possibly in late February and definitely in early March over the years.
On Friday, Dave noted a flock of 30 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal] in
Riverside-Albert, with one AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Amérique] with them. He
looked through the flock for CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] among them but
did not see any. Dave comments there were 90 Bohemian Waxwings reported on the
Christmas Bird Count from the Riverside-Albert area.
**Bev
and Mark Schneider and I made a run to the Tantramar Marsh on Friday to very
much appreciate the beautiful sunny day with raptors seemingly everywhere. Bev
kept a tally as accurate as she could, calling 20 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS [Buse
pattue], 11 RED-TAILED HAWKS [Buse à queue rousse], 3 NORTHERN HARRIERS [Busard
Saint-Martin], 4 BALD EAGLES [Pygargue à tête blanche], and 4 SNOWY OWLS
[Harfang des neiges]. A GOLDEN EAGLE [Aigle royal] could not be included in that
tally. The Snowy Owls were of course the highlight to end the day, with the
first one spotted at approximately 4:45 pm. Another shortly after suddenly
appeared on a post, and as we were departing, a third one was spotted on a post
nearing the turn towards the former CBC site, and then a fourth on a utility
pole at the Trans-Canada Highway. The first three were all on fenceposts, and
all on the Coles Island Road – approximately three-quarters of the way along for
the first two, with the last ones farther along, nearer the CBC site. The
sunset, as captured in a photo by Louise Nichols, created an awesome backdrop to
end another special day in New Brunswick winter. HOUSE SPARROWS [Moineau
domestique] were also seen at one of the farms on the marsh edge; this is a
species we do not often see, which for the sake of the EASTERN BLUEBIRD
[Merlebleu de l'Est] and TREE SWALLOW [Hirondelle bicolore] is just as
well.
Nelson
Poirier
Nature
Moncton
HOUSE SPARROW.FEB 3, 2017.BEV SCHNEIDER
SNOWY OWL.FEB 3, 2017.NELSON POIRIER
