Nature Moncton Nature News: Dec 17 2018

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, December 17, 2018 (Monday)

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Editor: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: David Christie maryspt@mac.com

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

** Jamie and Karen Burris did get a male NORTHERN CARDINAL [Cardinal rouge] on their sector of the Christmas Bird Count on Saturday. For the number that seemed to be in the area, the tally of them on Saturday was low. Jamie also shares a photo of a MUSKRAT [Rat musqué] walking across the ice at Turtle Creek.

** Brian Coyle shares three short videos he captured from his trail camera near his Lower Mountain Road home. One is during the night but two were captured in mid-morning. Take a look at the attached links.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v5yj1pomhm5pfvu/WGI_0007.AVI?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/f4moxtklcf2kd30/WGI_0003.AVI?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v9ni0wq8zm3bymn/WGI_0001.AVI?dl=0

** Mac Wilmot has placed a raven/crow/eagle feeder at the end of his property that borders on the Petitcodiac River. It is 24 inches square and has already attracted the attention of a COMMON RAVEN [Grand Corbeau] checking it out. Note the longer primary projection of the wing past the end of the tail in the raven, versus the crow.

** Brian Stone photographed a gull at Hampton that appears to be a third-winter plumage ICELAND GULL [Goéland arctique]. Note the black smudge near the end of the bill that is seen in 4-year gulls that are in their third-winter plumage. Otherwise it appears very similar to the adult bird. He comments that a BOBCAT [Lynx roux] has been seen around a bird-feeder yard of a neighbour of his relative, and is noting VOLE [campagnol] OR SHREW trails around the feeders, which may be the reason for the attraction. A RED SQUIRREL [Écureuil roux] tail was also found there, which could be suggestive.

** I’m attaching photos of a top view and underside view of a nest that was built this past summer on top of a window air conditioner, and appears to have been used despite the unit going on and off all summer. We did not see any activity around the nest; however, it is in a corner of the house that could be easily overlooked. As seen from the underside there is a flat round disc of formed mud. The cup of the nest has some mud but is a lot less than would be seen in the mud cup of a Robin’s nest. It was located under the protection of a roof eave. The nest bowl at 4 ½ in. would seem a bit small for a robin, but we are suspecting that is what it might be. We have not been able to get any other suggestions. I would appreciate any comments on who the mystery maker may be. As it is in perfect condition it will be replaced next spring to see if the original builders may be interested in a second occupancy.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton