Nature Moncton Nature News: March 28 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, March 28, 2018 (Wednesday)

Please advise editor at nelson@nb.sympatico.ca if any errors are noted in wording or photo labeling.

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

Transcript by: Catherine Johnson johnson2@xplornet.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)

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**We just don't often see BRANT in the City of Moncton. Georges Brun came across a flock 36 BRANT at the bend of the Petitcodiac River on Tuesday evening. As one photo shows they were a bit surprised at the arrival of the tidal bore. It all took place with the rising moon as a backdrop.

**Dave Christie saw 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS flying eastward along the shore in front of his Mary's Point home on Tuesday, approximately a half hour apart in late morning, suspecting migrating individuals.

Dave noted a group of hawk watchers in Maine had seen 7 Red-tailed Hawks in migration there over the day.

Dave dropped by the River View Cemetery, just north of Hopewell Cape on Tuesday, to find an adult BALD EAGLE deep in the nest there incubating eggs. He checked it two weeks ago to find adults around the nest brim.

**Roger Leblanc visited the Cocagne Bridge area and St. Thomas wharf on Sunday to check on sea duck activity in migration. Ice conditions had changed somewhat from the field trip of a few weeks ago due to winds. The ice free area around the Cocagne Bridge was actually smaller to make for nice observations of sea ducks and very lively breeding behaviour. There were 3 HOODED MERGANSERS there trying to win the attention of one female, 2 RING-BILLED GULLS were there which are very apt to be birds edging back from south of us. One GLAUCOUS GULL was spotted as well. RED-BREASTED and COMMON MERGANSERS were also there as well as COMMON and BARROW'S GOLDENEYE.

At the St. Thomas wharf the ice had moved in solid against the wharf to make open water over 100 metres off but could hear BLACK SCOTER, COMMON EIDER and LONG-TAILED DUCKS vocalizing as well as COMMON GOLDENEYE flying about. Winds can change ice conditions very quickly at this time of year.

Louise Nichols paid a similar visit on Tuesday and found areas like Pointe-du-Chene wharf completely iced in but did get some photos which will be shared tomorrow.

**Gordon Rattray used the beautiful welcome sunshine of Tuesday to photograph some of his Weldon yard patrons showing off their spring plumage. The male PURPLE FINCH was his first of the season to come to his yard. On Sunday 3 PINE SISKINS dropped by.

**With the fog overnight on Monday and falling temperatures followed by a sunny morning, Brian Stone was ready for photo ops with the striking frost formations to follow. He got some very striking photos of its natural ephemeral beauty. While doing that he came across a last seasons birds nest of approximately 2-3" across, 3 ft off the ground in saplings and ornamented with plastic strips.

Later on Tuesday Brian and Danny Sullivan made a trek in the Irishtown Nature Park. They found deep snow on the conifer lined trails but little wildlife activity. From the trails they noted an abundance of SNOWSHOE HARE tracks. In the park, a male PURPLE FINCH posed cooperatively and the welcome sun made for a very pleasant woods trek.

**There's been a lot of inquiries the past few days about the diatomaceous earth product suggested for use in nest boxes for flea control. I made a round of a few retail sites to see its availability. This product is used for many things but one use of it is as an additive to animal feeds for parasite control. It comes in 50 lb bags for that purpose but found two outlets that sell it in plastic bags by the kilogram. I personally get a 50 lb bag that lasts me for years which was the source distributed with the nest boxes last Saturday. I use it for nest boxes and also for earwig control. I personally don't find earwigs a real problem as they enjoy eating some garden pests, however some family members are not amused by them. The 2 locations in Moncton that carry diatomaceous earth are

Clarence Farm Services (known locally as J&P Farm Services) on Checker Dr., which is located off Edinburgh Dr. just before coming to Berry Mills Rd. They sell it at $58 for a 50 lb bag or $8.99 per kilogram bag. A second location is Co-op Country Store at 200 Collishaw St. in Moncton. They sell it at $75 for a 50 lb bag or $6.99 per kilogram. Sometimes this product is white or pale brownish. Both are the same but must be the talcum powder/icing sugar texture to be effective for nest boxes. Its dusty at that texture, so care should be used not to inhale the dust.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton