NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE – March 11, 2017
(Saturday)
Please
advise editor at nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.
For
more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at
www.naturemoncton.com
Edited
by: Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Transcript
by: Catherine Clements
Info
Line #: 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
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respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor
nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
**John
Massey spotted a small group of MUSKRAT [Rat musqué] seemingly hanging out
together on the High Marsh Road near the turn to Jolicure on the Tantramar Marsh
on Friday. We all often see Muskrat in that area; however, they are often
travelling
solo. The breeding season for Muskrat normally starts in April, running to
August, with more than one litter. One would have to wonder if what John saw
would be the start of the mating season for the Muskrat. They were seen at a
distance.
**As
a heads-up, the Nature Moncton SWALLOW [Hirondelle] nest box program is very
much underway, with a workshop planned for next Saturday, March 18th.
Fred Richards already has 49 boxes assembled, and will assemble a 50th
one at next Saturday’s workshop, to demonstrate how folks can build more, if
they wish. The 50 ready-to-erect boxes are already spoken for by many members,
and will be stamped with the Nature Moncton logo and numbered, to be assigned to
the members who have reserved them to be erected, maintained, and records of
activity with the boxes kept. At the workshop, Roger LeBlanc will give a
presentation on our native Swallows, and Fred and Roger will be giving
best
practice methods
as to where and how to erect the boxes. The 50 boxes reserved are free of
charge, as funds from a grant from Imperial Oil to Nature Moncton, via Louise
Richard, were used for funding. The write-up on the workshop is attached below,
as it appears on the website.
Nature Moncton Nest Box Workshop
March 18, 2017
1:00 – 4:00 P.M.
Tankville School, 1665 Elmwood
Drive
Swallow Box Erection, Placement, and
Maintenance
Presenters: Fred Richards and Roger
LeBlanc
Swallow Nest Box Project
The Nature Moncton
Activities Committee is launching a long-term nest box project which we hope
will be enthusiastically embraced for the duration.
The nest boxes can also
potentially be used by Eastern Bluebirds and Black-capped
Chickadees.
Our member, Fred
Richards, has volunteered to cut-out and assemble 49/50 very solid and well-made
nest boxes with an expected life-span of 15 years. The 50th one will
be assembled at the Nest Box Project
Workshop on March 18, 2017. The workshop, led by Fred Richards and Roger
Leblanc, will provide all the knowledge needed on where best to erect the boxes
for maximum effect and how to maintain them. The aim of assembling the last one
at the workshop is to show participants the plans and how to build more should
they wish.
The first 50 will be
free of charge to paid-up Nature Moncton
members. This wonderful project can
be offered thanks to Fred volunteering his time to build them and Louise Richard
who obtained a grant from the Imperial Oil Volunteer Involvement Program which
will fund the building materials. Each numbered box will be stamped with the
Nature Moncton logo.
We are asking for
volunteers who will adopt the boxes and be willing to place them and maintain
them each year. If interested in joining the project, please respond to this
email with your name, contact email address, telephone number, and the number of
nest boxes you feel you can place and maintain.
Everyone is welcome to attend the
March 18, 2017 workshop whether or not you will be an active participant in the
project, be a perspective swallow landlord, or are an existing landlord
interesting in learning new ideas.
**A
reminder to all that a timing change will take place at 2:00 a.m. Sunday
morning, March 12th.
It’s time to turn your clocks ahead one hour before settling in tonight, to be
ready for Daylight
Saving Time starting
tomorrow morning.
Nelson
Poirier
Nature
Moncton
MUSKRATS.MARCH 10, 2017.JOHN MASSEY
MUSKRATS.MARCH 10, 2017.JOHN MASSEY
