NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, 3 April 2021 (Saturday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Transcript
by: Catherine Clements
Info
Line #: 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
**With
the recent reports of waterfowl migration, I was wondering how long before Ron
Steeves would be at his favourite perch to watch it happen. Brian Farrell and
Ron spent about 4 1/2 hours Friday at Cape Enrage. The sea duck migration was
full speed ahead. The largest flock of Eiders was estimated to be about 800,
and the largest flock of Scoters [Macreuse] was a scattered group estimated to
be 1,200. There was a steady flow of flocks, varying from just a few birds to a
few hundred or more. Their final count was over 8,000 Eiders and over 12,000
Scoters. The conditions were misty and rainy, making it difficult to determine
the species of Scoters, but a large percentage seemed to be BLACK SCOTERS
[Macreuse à bec jaune]. Totally missing were LONG-TAILED DUCKS [Harelde
kakawi], migrating geese, BRANT [Bernache cravant], and Cormorants [Cormoran].
They will be back Saturday just to see if it continues. These are important
records to have, and Cape Enrage is a great place to do it, but Ron and Brian
surely are exposed to the elements to get them.
**After
several weeks missing, both a male and female NORTHERN CARDINAL [Cardinal
rouge] appeared in Jane LeBlanc’s St Martin’s yard on Friday. She is hoping
they have housekeeping in mind.
**The
GREAT BLUE HERONS [Grand Héron] are moving in on schedule as the waters open.
Jean-Paul and Stella LeBlanc tallied 9 at the Cormierville Marsh on Friday, to
get some pleasant photos. Note the ornate plumes of breeding plumage on the
head, neck, and back in Jean-Paul’s photo of the single bird.
**Brian
Stone went for a drive on Friday in the dull weather over Caledonia Mountain
and then back through Hillsborough. He noticed a small group of COMMON
MERGANSERS [Grand Harle] in the Turtle Creek reservoir, and lots of high water
in the creeks and rivers along the way. Most steep hills had meltwater runoff
waterfalls cascading down them, some large and some small. In one yard in the
Caledonia Mountain area, he saw a group of 100+ EVENING GROSBEAKS [Gros-bec
errant] populating the trees and bushes around the yard’s feeders. At
Hillsborough, he stopped at the White Rock Recreational Park entrance to get a
photo of a female PILEATED WOODPECKER [Grand Pic] checking out the surrounding
trees. Brian comments it was a dull day, but a rewarding drive.
**The
Redpolls [Sizerin] have sure not taken their leave as yet, as some are still
reporting large contingents fueling up at feeders for the northern voyage. John
Massey had one that he suspects is a HOARY REDPOLL [Sizerin blanchâtre]. It seems to be very much a
loner and has been around all winter when all the others seemed to be
elsewhere. John also has a COMMON RAVEN [Grand Corbeau] as a regular patron,
sporting a white patch on its chest, looking somewhat like it is wearing a
cummerbund.
** Aldo
Dorio got some documentary photos of an immature Bald Eagle on Saturday morning
at Hay Island with extensive white in the chest area to show the variability in
plumage of this species as they go through their molts to mature adult plumage.
**Ray
Gauvin did a real-time video show of Parlee Beach area as it appeared on
Thursday. The ice was completely gone. Ray’s presentation is at the attached
link.
ttps://www.dropbox.com/s/6n64bwelw4ohbir/Parlee%20Beach%20..%20Ray%20Gauvin.mp4?dl=0
nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Nelson
Poirier,
Nature
Moncton
