Nature Moncton Nature News: April 8 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, Apr. 8, 2018 (Sunday)

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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)

** Roland Léger and Gary Dupuis spotted an adult BELUGA [Béluga] whale near the Pointe-de-Chêne wharf on Saturday. The photo Gary got was when it came very near the wharf. It surfaced for only a few seconds, as Belugas often do, and re-appeared 50 metres ahead.

** Stella LeBlanc captured a photo of a FOX SPARROW [Bruant fauve] nicely showing its rich reddish brown plumage at their Buctouche feeder yard. The Fox Sparrow is always a special drop-by visitor in the spring as it works it way north to breed. It will soon be followed by the WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW [Bruant à couronne blanche], with the same scenario in progress.

** Brian Coyle reports the very sudden influx of AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique], COMMON GRACKLES [Quiscale bronzé], RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS [Carouge à épaulettes], SONG SPARROWS [Bruant chanteur] and DARK-EYED JUNCOS [Junco ardoisé] on Saturday. He estimated approximately 20 of each species. It must have been a very lively scene. Brian’s home is on the Upper Mountain Road.

Brian was also checking out his trail cameras, when he surprisingly flushed two AMERICAN WOODCOCK. One stayed behind long enough for a quick photo.

** Grandson Matt and I spent Saturday applying flea treatment to last year’s used swallow boxes, and erecting five new ones. It very much reminded me of Ron Steeves’ adventures at Cape Enrage, with a mixed bag of wind, snow, hail, rain, and even a few bursts of sunshine. Two of our swallow boxes are on Route 112 (Old Fredericton Road). Paul Langelaan had a kestrel box up near his home there, and it was a real surprise to see a AMERICAN KESTREL [Crécerelle d'Amérique] perched on a utility wire near the box. It got promptly cleaned, and shavings put in to welcome them back. We also cleaned a kestrel box we had outside of Miramichi. It has been used annually for the past three years. No parasites were found in the debris, but it was treated with diatomaceous earth and permethrin last spring. No sign of any kestrels at that site yet.

I very highly recommend not refusing the help of some 15-year-old able legs for climbing poles and erecting cleaned boxes, just like a squirrel!

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton