NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, February
21, 2021 (Sunday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** Ronnie Davis shares a striking photo
taken with his drone of the WHITE-TAILED DEER [Cerf de Virginie] gathered in his field in Berwick
Corner. They come out every day. Generally, the most are around an hour before
sunset, and they dig out cabbage roots to eat.
They can be seen frequently on Rte. 10 on the righthand side going to
Fredericton, just past the Berwick Irving convenience. There would appear to be upwards of 75 to 100
animals in Ronnie’s photo.
** Phil Riebel got an excellent series
of photos of a SHORT-TAILED WEASEL [Belette à courte queue] with the unique trail camera set-up
that he has designed himself. The photos
clearly show the animal in several scenarios including capturing prey. Phil comments the weasel must have a very
high energy level as it seems to be constantly bouncing around and looking for
prey. Enjoy the action at the attached
link. And if you click on the first
photo, a video of that frame starts.
Great photos and video footage.
https://philriebel.smugmug.com/invite/16030824176031540f5afeb4.90180502
https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-8vbphh/i-ZsJMZGD/A
** Georges Brun got some great photos
of action on the Riverview Marsh and the Petitcodiac River. The SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] were joined by the COMMON REDPOLLS [Sizerin
flammé] on the
eastern side of the Petitcodiac at the bend of the river. He took the photo from the walking bridge
over Hall’s Creek, but got information from Monique Melanson Leblanc who got
close-ups with her binoculars as she walked the trail heading towards Moncton.
** Georges saw at least 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS [Hibou
des marais] with a
bold AMERICAN
CROW [Corneille d'Amérique] trying to
intimidate the owl, but these owls seem more passive than SNOWY OWLS [Harfang des
neiges] that
Georges has seen there. One photo
appears to show the Crow making contact with the owl, but it’s the photo angle
that makes it look that way. Also, a RED FOX [Renard roux] seemed quite successful in the
hunt. Nearly every time it made a leap,
it was a success with quite large prey.
There were at least 3 foxes in the marsh that day with one being chased
away by a more dominant fox. The fox
seemed quite well-nourished compared to other ones that Georges has seen in the
past to suggest that there is a good supply of Meadow Voles. Georges also has been seeing a few COMMON MERGANSERS [Grand
Harle] in the
last week which means there must be fish there to attract them. It would seem early for smelts and late for
Tomcod, so not sure just what species.
** Georges also saw a NORTHERN HARRIER [Busard
Saint-Martin] in the
marsh on Thursday. As well, the lone PEREGRINE FALCON [Faucon
pèlerin] is still
around the big “A” logo at Assumption Place.
He is also noting the RING-NECKED PHEASANTS [Faisan de Colchide] that moved closer to the river, pecking
at the same dark plants the Snow Buntings and Common Redpolls are working. There was an equal gender blend of pheasants
across from Bore Park on Saturday afternoon.
** Yvette Richard thanks Brian Stone
for the tip-off of the HORNED LARKS [Alouette hausse-col] at Caissie Cape wharf. Yvette went out to the wharf on Friday and
was able to see them for a lifer for her and get more photos. A COMMON MERGANSER [Grand Harle] happened to be going under the Cocagne
bridge on Thursday as she stood on the bridge to get a very close-up photo of a
section of its plumage.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
