NATURE MONCTON NATURE INFORMATION LINE
Dec 1, 2021 (Wednesday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
**In a
recent addition, there was some discussion about all the bird nests that were
family homes this past season that are now exposed with the leaf fall. Some
suggestions were given as to what measurements and photo views to look to
decide who the patron may have been. Roger LeBlanc has come back with a very
interesting point. He points out that most of the small songbirds will not be
using those nests again and is okay to remove them for closer study. This may
be true for the vast majority of songbirds, but not the case for many species
that build stick nests as they will either be reused by the same species or another
species of bird.
Roger also wants to remind people
of the Moncton Christmas Bird Count taking place on December 18. All field
teams have been filled but it is very important for those that maintain feeders
to do an estimate of the number and species of birds they see that day. That
part of the project is maintained by Susan Atkinson and an email to Susan at susandatkinson@hotmail.com will promptly be responded to with a tally sheet
for you to contribute to the Christmas Bird Count which is every bit as
important as field observations. A lot of birds will be in feeder stations on
December 18, and they need to be counted as well.
**The snow
is enticing many more birds to the feeder station of David and Anita Cannon.
The Canon’s home is surrounded by large deciduous trees that is favoured by
woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatch.
Anita was able to get nice photographs of both on Tuesday.
**Steve
Berube heard a Great Horned Owl vocalizing in the woods behind their Summit Drive home in Riverview on
Tuesday evening. He heard one for a night or two a few weeks ago but
nothing since then. He is always relieved to hear the call as has grown
accustomed to it over the years in that neighbourhood. A Great Horned Owl pair
did raise a family in the center of urban Riverview in the 2020 season so
hearing them again ups the ante of hosting them again. It is this time of year
when the early nesting Great Horned Owl will establish/re-establish territories
and renew family vows.
**Brian Stone made time for a short visit to Mapleton
Park on Tuesday afternoon to get a bit of fresh air and enjoy the new snowfall
scenery. As he stepped out of his car in the parking lot at Gorge Rd., he
noticed a HAWK circling above. He grabbed his camera before his coat and
tried for a decent photograph, but the hawk had other plans and fled the scene,
only giving a distant belly image for identification. (Editors note: the breast
striping appears consistent with a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk but the tail
formation is difficult to ascertain from the photo. Identity comments would be
appreciated.)
The main pond was frozen over so the duck population
was once again congregating at the bridge over Hall's Creek at the Gorge Rd.
end of the park. Among the couple dozen MALLARD DUCKS was just one
female WOOD DUCK. Some photos of it from different angles looking down
from the bridge were all it offered. The usual suspects were present at the
feeders in the park including RED SQUIRRELS and RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES. Some trees were showing their Christmas spirit with
decorations, left by elves he presumed.
**Ducks
Unlimited has contributed 4 duck nest boxes to Nature Moncton and are waiting
to be picked up at the Ducks Unlimited head office in Fredericton. If anyone is
in the Fredericton area and could bring these boxes to Moncton for folks who
have asked for them, it would be very appreciated. Contact nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com for pickup detail if you are able to
help.
Nelson
Poirier
Nature
Moncton
