Nature Moncton Nature News: Dec 19 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, December 19, 2019 (Thursday)

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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)

** Gordon Rattray got an excellent photo of a DOWNY WOODPECKER [Pic mineur] in his Weldon yard that shows the black spots/bars on the white side tail feathers of the Downy Woodpecker that are not present on the Hairy Woodpecker to be one of the significant clues to differentiate the two that Alain Clavette pointed out in a recent presentation to Nature Moncton. Gordon also has had his PINE WARBLER [Paruline des pins] visit his yard suet block on Wednesday. As mentioned, this species would seem to have had a good season from the number of observations reported.

** Another nice species for the last day of “count week” for the Moncton Christmas Bird Count. Georges Brun got documentary photos of a SHORT-EARED OWL [Hibou des marais] that appeared just down river from the Trans Aqua outlet on the Riverview Marsh. It was approximately a kilometer away from Georges. The photos were taken in the 3:35 pm time window on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Georges was down at the landing next to Chateau Moncton again and got to see 5 big flocks of Canada Geese plus 30+ Canada Geese at the Bend of the Petitcodiac River.

Ten minutes went by and low and behold our friend the Short-Eared Owl is once again doing its flight near mid-section between Trans Aqua and the Bend. It did land and he got long distance shots. Not sure what happened to the old Birch trunk in the middle of the marsh it used last year. Am attaching all photos from both days.

Two Bald Eagles were at first separated (near outlet to Trans-Aqua) then closer to sunset they were reunited north of the Trans-Aqua site (on tree trunk stump). There is also an adult Eagle about half way between Mac Wilmot and the ball field at Point-Park.

Crows were on the north side of Rabbit Brook below Kendra St. Some were eating winter clinging fruit. .

** Brian Stone paid a visit to the Hanover St. area in Saint John, a very popular birding spot, on Wednesday. He got some very pleasant photos of a small group of BUFFLEHEAD DUCKS [Petit Garrot], our smallest member of the Goldeneye group. The adult males are already in breeding plumage. It would appear that most of the others were female but we have to bear in mind that first winter male Bufflehead resemble the female; however the white facial patch will get larger as winter progresses.

Brian also noticed a group of six WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de Virginie] foraging in a grassy area across the water from the end of Hanover St., an area where they are frequently seen. One antlered buck was present, possibly with his private harem as all others appeared to be does. They appeared to be healthy, relaxed, and well-adjusted to urban life.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier,

Nature Moncton