NATURE
MONCTON NATURE INFORMATION LINE, Oct. 30, 2021 (Saturday)
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Edited by:
Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
**The northern breeding birds
are now migrating to New Brunswick to join us for the winter. Aldo Dorio spotted
2 Snow Buntings at Hay Island on Friday. The species breeds on the Arctic
tundra but chooses New Brunswick as one of its winter vacation locations. They
are in brownish non-breeding plumage when they arrive but will become more
striking black and white as spring approaches. Several other species are no
doubt joining us at the moment as well.
**Brian Stone
revisited the same coastal areas on Friday as he had done Thursday in the hopes
of getting better photos of the Leach's Storm Petrel but only found some of the
seasonal regulars which still made for some interesting photos. At
Pointe-du-Chene wharf he got photos of an interesting looking CANADA GOOSE (!),
a slightly scruffy female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, a lone GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, a LONG-TAILED DUCK, a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT plus
a group of them out on a sand bar, and a close up RING-BILLED GULL.
At the
Robichaud wharf the RED-THROATED LOON was still present and still close
enough for decent images. Nice to see a bird that is not camera shy.
Going further to the Niles St. wharf Brian photographed some of the BONAPARTE'S
GULLS that were flying over the water and one that was standing at the
water's edge(note a bit of red at the bill base which is occasionally seen).
Backtracking to Cassie Cape Brian photographed some of the SURF SCOTERS
and BLACK SCOTERS that were not too far out.
Editor’s
note: we are in that period when molting waterfowl and immatures will be in the
mix. I have added extra labelling detail but sure stand to be corrected on some
which will be welcomed as we all learn from corrections. The Canada Goose is a
bizarre plumage that may have to be classed as a genetic quirk. A very
interesting time for birding!
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
