NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, February 7, 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)
** Elaine McCullough shares some photos of visitors she has had in their
yard over the past weeks. She was
sitting in her office the other day and finally managed to catch the BARRED OWL [Chouette rayée] in the
daytime. They have been out with their
dog at night and have spotted it in the trees and have also caught a quick fly
by periodically, but finally got the chance to get a photo. They hear them at night, so there must be at
least two of them as they can hear them calling to one another. Sounds like an established breeding territory. They have seen a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK [Épervier brun]. It likes to come around every few weeks after
the small birds. The birds have all
managed to get away and avoid getting caught so far. The Sharp-shinned Hawk nicely shows the
squared-off tail and the uniform grey crown and nape to give it that hooded
look. The legs appear slender as
well. They have 3 PILEATED WOODPECKERS [Grand pic] that show
up together, but they have not been able to get a picture of them all together
but did manage to get two of them the other day when returning from a
walk. They had a camera with them as
they had spotted two BOBCATS [Lynx roux] a few days before when walking.
The Bobcats ran across the trail in front of them so fast. It was nice to see, but unfortunately, they did
not have their camera with them that day.
**After Georges Brun’s BOBCAT report on the Riverview
Marsh, Andrew Darcy went there Saturday today to see if I could find any
evidence of the Bobcat. Darcy comments he was hoping that he would see the
Bobcat but knew that was wishful thinking but was very pleased to find the
tracks anyhow. He quickly noticed an odd set of tracks at the back of the Trans
Aqua facility and followed them along the path until he saw a definitive Bobcat
track. It appeared as though the animal had followed the fence line around the
property while weaving in and out of the sparse coniferous cover. The pictures
illustrate a typical feline track with rounded pads spaced well apart. You
cannot totally make out the leading toe or double lobe on rear pad which are
characteristic of Bobcat tracks (tracks were a bit worn) but it was present on
some tracks. The size of the front paw was right in range at approximately 2.0
in. long and 2.2 in. wide. (Editor’s note: Darcy did not see the Bobcat but
chances are the stealthy cat got Darcy on its day list!)
The marsh was relatively quiet except for the usual suspects (gulls and
crows). But he did see a large flock of COMMON REDPOLLS on the way in and the
resident NORTHERN SHRIKE made a brief appearance. IT seemed to have his
feathers a little ruffled with the strong winds (as can be seen in the picture
with his tail feathers spread) but he did pose nicely atop one of the Spruce
trees.
** The Groundhog Day storm did not stop Ray Gauvin’s two cock RING-NECKED PHEASANTS [Faisan de Colchide] from feeling like spring. The two males were chasing each other. Ray says it was a hoot watching them, and at the end it was like “beep beep,” the Roadrunner. Friday on his walk just down the street, these two would stop traffic chasing each other from one side of the road to the other. They went at it for quite a few minutes. Ray was observing this as he was approaching the area. It was not until one lady got out of her vehicle and walked closer to them that they flew away. It is not often they fly, but usually just scoot away. Ray got a video of the two in full chase in the shrubs around his Pointe-du-Chêne home. Take a look at the action at the attached link:
** Carol Shea in Upham reported an OVENBIRD
[Paruline couronnée] being seen around her yard. This bird was still present on February 6th
for a documentary photo, looking quite filled out. Carol sent a photo to the Telegraph
Journal newspaper and Jim Wilson made a commentary which is in today’s
photo line-up. One click will bring it
full screen so you can read it. Carol
also has a generous supply of EVENING GROSBEAKS
[Gros-bec errant] as regulars.
** Sadie had a big birthday party bash on Saturday night, all Covid-19
regulations adhered to and all is back to normal today, the first day of her 12th
year. [Editor’s note: Yeah, it’s a short report day!]
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton
