Nature Moncton Nature News: Nov 16 2021`

NATURE MONCTON NATURE INFORMATION LINE, Nov 15, 2021 (Monday)

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

** It’s last call to join the Nature Moncton November meeting tonight, Tuesday at 7:00 PM to learn tricks on Trail Camera use and see some of the not very often seen NB wildlife in their very natural setting. Set your phone alarms now for 6:50 PM to join in and enjoy. All details in the write-up below:

Nature Moncton November 2021 Meeting

Tuesday, November 16 at 7:00 PM

Trail Camera Use

Presenter: Brian Donovan

Zoom Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83818750250?pwd=SCsrOFpPNDRMTWhVZXBXNTh4VXhDZz09

Trail cameras have opened up a new world of observation of Mother Nature’s community that we would not normally get to sit in on.

Brian Donovan has mastered trail camera use to a fine art and by trial and error has collected many still photos and videos of wildlife in their own natural setting.

Brian will share his methods, camera use, and some of the great material he has captured. A lot of his efforts have been in remote sections of the Renous Highway that crosses central New Brunswick’s hinterland with a community of wildlife we don’t often get to see.

Brian will have a lot to share.

A don’t miss presentation.

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Zoom Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83818750250?pwd=SCsrOFpPNDRMTWhVZXBXNTh4VXhDZz09

** Sue and Fred Richards announce the sunflower seed pick-up will happen Wednesday November 17th, from 3pm to 6pm in the SOUTHWEST corner of the Coliseum parking lot.

Farmer Mike Dickinson asked

- that everyone wear a mask,

-everyone stay in their vehicle,

-each vehicle will drive up one at a time,

-give him or his helper the money in an envelope - correct amount in the envelope ($17 per bag)

-mike and his helper will load the vehicle

and then you drive away.

If you can't make it on this schedule, please have someone pick up your order for you.

These instructions are in place to observe Covid-19 regulations and allow this year's delivery to happen safely.

Fred and Sue Richards will be on site.

** Louise Nichols has been seeing a Great Blue Heron in their Aulac yard pond for several weeks now. She keeps thinking it has left, but then it reappears. On Saturday this past weekend, it was doing its bit to reduce the frog population in the pond with Louise photographing the feast. Louise has not seen it since that day, so maybe it has finally made its move to fly south.

Louise often hears crossbills vocalizing in the woods near their home but does not always catch sight of them. About a week ago, she caught a White-winged Crossbill in sunlight at the top of a spruce tree. It was looking a bit mottled, almost as though it was going through a molt. She's hoping the crossbills stay around for the winter because it's so pleasant to hear their chattering on a winter morning when all else is quiet.

**Clarence Cormier sends a documentary photo of an Eastern Bluebird. He had a small flock of 4 drop his Grande Digue site Saturday Nov 13, 2021.

This bird species would be #116th to visit is property.

Also, on November 8th as he fed the Black-capped Chickadees sunflower seeds from is hand, a female Downy Woodpecker flew directly at him from nearby and landed on his hand and stayed for about 15 seconds. It was a first for Clarence. It then proceeded to go to the suet. Her male companion ignored him and kept pecking away at the bark of a tree.

Five American Tree Sparrows have finally arrived on Saturday November 13th, 2021, along with 10 American Goldfinch.

A handful of Cedar Waxwings have been present for a few weeks. On Monday November 15, 2021, a flock of 30+ showed up for the Mountain Ash berries.

American Robins seemed to be everywhere on Monday estimating 300 to 400 in number. They were foraging on the ground and eating berries.

Clarence also adds a photo of a Porcupine in a Tamarack tree showing the Tamarack’s striking fall foliage. The Tamarack is the only conifer tree to shed its foliage in the fall.

**Lois Bud does not remember ever seeing a Chipmunk this late in November. (Monday) Seems this little fellow is still storing for winter on a cool wet fall day.

The Chipmunk does not truly hibernate in winter but goes into a state of torpor and eating lightly on stored winter food. They will pop out occasionally on warm days for a top up but indeed occasional preferring to stay in their very organized underground burrows with food storage, sleeping, eating, and toilet quarters.

**We have enjoyed a Pileated Woodpecker loudly joining us in our Moncton yard the past few days. We found it was foraging on 2 dying Red Maple trees in front of our home. On Monday morning, he loudly arrived again but this time for a feed of grapes still clinging to the vines. He obviously enjoyed the booty as was willing to pose and be photographed.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton