Nature Moncton Nature News: Oct 23 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, October 23, 2018 (Tuesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Brian Stone bjpstone@gmail.com

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

** Shawn Cormier heard a group of crows making a ruckus in nearby woods on Monday. On following it to the source he came face to face with a beautiful BARRED OWL [Chouette rayée] that cooperated for an excellent photo op.

** Peter Gadd leaves information about activity around his Miramichi feeder yard on Monday. He has a surprising abundance of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à gorge blanche] at sixteen which all scattered when a juvenile SHARP-SHINNED HAWK [Épervier brun] arrived and took an American Robin as prey. Comparing the size it would appear to be a female. Note the vertical striping on the chest and breast and the yellow eye indicating an immature bird. The faint, white supercilium is also visible. An immature, male RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD [Carouge à épaulettes] checked out a hanging feeder. Peter also photographed a female NORTHERN PINTAIL [Canard pilet] at the Miramichi marsh.

Peter comments they had 30+ sparrows on the small 60 square foot lawn area this week. 3 Song Sparrows, 1 White-crowned, and the rest being White-throated Sparrows. They had about 20 for the last 6 weeks after scattering Super Store “finch food” on the grass. The grains seemed too small for Grey Squirrels and pigeons apparently but appreciated as well by Mourning Doves and chipmunks.

** Doreen Rossiter reports on activity in her Alma yard. The DARK-EYED JUNCOS [Junco ardoisé] have arrived and a few WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS [Bruant à couronne blanche] have been around the yard for almost a week. They are both immature with the brown headbands, not the fluorescent white of the mature birds. Large flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] have arrived and have almost cleaned up the abundant Hawthorn crop. Doreen had an interesting grosbeak arrive for a visit. Doreen had never seen this plumaged grosbeak in the fall before but upon consulting Sibley she feels that it is an immature, male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK [Cardinal à poitrine rose]. However she notes that the Black-headed Grosbeak on the other page of Sibley has a very similar plumage. If anyone is in the area a photo confirmation is indicated to be sure that it is indeed an immature Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Doreen also had a visit from an EASTERN BLUEBIRD [Merlebleu de l'Est] to her yard which is the first time she has had one visit in the fall.

** Dale Gaskin comments that he was in Hillsborough on Monday and was in awe watching TURKEY VULTURES [Urubu à tête rouge] effortlessly floating about, seemingly not needing a single wing flap. The Turkey Vulture is one superb flying machine.

** Brian Stone sends a few more photos from Sunday’s field trip. Two photos show nicely the cobwebby partial veil so typical of the several CORTINARIUS MUSHROOM species that we have as it just starts to separate from the cap. ALDER FLEA BEETLES were still about, and HAIRY WOODPECKERS [Pic chevelu] and DOWNY WOODPECKERS [Pic mineur] were surprisingly abundant.

** It sure is time for feeder reports as things come alive. At our urban Moncton feeder the AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] have arrived in hordes along with other expected regulars. The Sparrow lineup includes several SONG SPARROWS [Bruant chanteur], two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à gorge blanche] and one CHIPPING SPARROW [Bruant familier]. The American Tree Sparrows should be arriving soon. Several juvenile male and female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS [Carouge à épaulettes] are visiting. Interesting is the presence of PURPLE FINCH [Roselin pourpré] and HOUSE FINCH [Roselin familier] at the same time. I have been trying to catch photos of them together at a feeder but they are not cooperating. The waterer went up a few days ago and it sure is getting patrons quickly with a line up seemingly all the time. It was frozen hard on Monday morning and it had to be plugged in to alleviate the skating rink scenario.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton