Nature Moncton Nature News: March 31 2018

Nature Moncton Nature Information Line. Saturday, March 31

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

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

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

**The CANVASBACK DUCK [Fuligule à dos blanc] was still in the Memramcook area on Friday. Caroline Arseneault saw it in company with CANADA GEESE [Bernache du Canada] off Saint-Thomas Street. It should be pointed out that it was Pierre Janin who first located this gem.

Dale Halfpenny came across a flock of approximately 20 HORNED LARKS [Alouette hausse-col] at Waterside near the old schoolhouse there. Dale got some excellent photos that nicely show front and side view of this species.

**Audrey Goguen had a large flocK of CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] arrive to forage on their fruit-laden FLOWERING CRAB tree [Pommetier] on Friday, as well as a few AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique]. Audrey lives on Northview Avenue in Moncton. This particular tree attracts fruit connoisseurs to it every spring.

**Kevin Renton also reports they had a flock of approximately CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] arrive to their Stilesville feeder yard on Friday. Usually Cedar Waxwings that have not overwintered with us do not arrive back from their southerly migration until later spring, but recent reports are tending to suggest a different scenario. Kevin also comments the first COMMON GRACKLE [Quiscale bronzé] they have seen arrived to their yard on Friday. Reports are tending to suggest a second wave of Common Grackles and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS [Carouge à epaulettes] are arriving this past week. As well, they noticed their first CHIPMUNK [Suisse] of the season out and busy foraging about their yard on Friday.

**On Friday, Clarence Cormier had a large flock of AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] gleaning the remaining abundant supply of MOUNTAIN ASH [Sorbier des oiseaux] in his Grande-Digue area. Even though flocks of five to fifty were cruising the area all winter, but more are joining those that overwintered. COMMON GRACKLE [Quiscale bronzé] and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS [Carouge à epaulettes] were with them. His PURPLE FINCH [Roselin pourpré] patrons jumped from three to seven on Friday. His AMERICAN TREE SPARROW [Bruant hudsonien] contingent continues to vary from fifteen to thirty, as it has all winter.

**More on newly-arriving Common Grackle: Brian Stone reports a flock of fifty arrived to his sister Carol’s feeder yard in the Hampton area for the first time on Friday. Brian also photographed a section of the Kennebecasis River showing it opening nicely in many areas. A few nice comparison photos of DOWNY [Pic mineur] and HAIRY WOODPECKERS [Pic chevelu], showing the Hairy as the Harley and the Downy as the motor scooter of the two. A view from a lookout point over the Kennebecasis River at Hampton showed many, many BALD EAGLES [Pygargue à tête blanche], CANADA GEESE, one TURKEY VULTURE [Urubu à tête rouge], and other DUCKS [Canard].

**I heard BARRED OWLS [Chouette rayée] hooting it up from our Miramichi camp on Thursday evening. I have heard GREAT HORNED OWLS [Grand-duc d'Amérique] and NORTHERN SAW-WHET [Petite Nyctale] in other years, but have heard no vocalizations from those species as yet.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton