NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, December 20, 2018 (Thursday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
**Bird feeder traffic seems to have
slowed down over the last few warmer days however Jamie Burris comments that
Sparrows have started to return to his Riverview feeder yard on Wednesday
including two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS [Bruant à gorge blanche], two SONG
SPARROWS [Bruant chanteur] and an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW [Bruant hudsonien].
White-throated Sparrows do seem to be more present at urban feeders this season
than usual.
** RUFFED GROUSE [Gélinotte huppée]
have a habit of burying themselves in soft snow during the night and then
bursting out in the morning to start their day. Brian Coyle got some photos
that show the exit hole where some grouse have emerged along with the wing
marks in the snow where they lifted off. The snow cover makes an excellent,
insulated, warm blanket for the night. It does become problematic if a firm
crust forms on the snow surface during the night making the morning exit more
of a challenge.
Brian also got videos of COYOTES
[Coyote] from his trail camera. He is finding that they are gathering around a
pond area that has some running water where beaver are at work. He suspects
that they are trying to stalk the beaver. One video shows them slipping on the
ice. A second excellent video was captured mid-morning to beautifully show the
animals as they go on and off a large rock. One photo shows the dark spot near
the tail head which is the tail gland. Coyotes normally travel as family units
so this is likely members of one family.
Take a look at the links below.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
RUFFED GROUSE EXIT HOLE. DECEMBER 19, 2018. BRIAN COYLE
RUFFED GROUSE EXIT HOLE. DECEMBER 19, 2018. BRIAN COYLE
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW DEC 19 2018 JAMIE BURRIS
