NATURE MONCTON NATURE INFORMATION LINE
Dec 23, 2021 (Thursday)
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Edited by:
Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
**John Inman had a Rough-legged Hawk drop by is Mary’s point Road property on Wednesday. It was very promptly escorted away by John’s resident Red-tailed Hawk who was not impressed with the interloper. John was able to get a few documentary photos as the hawk decided it best to vacate the territory.
**"Louise
Nichols and Jason Gallant covered the Dorchester part of the Memramcook CBC on
Tuesday. The zone begins at the Johnson's Mill's Interpretive Centre
where Louise and Jason spotted flocks of White-winged Crossbills as soon
as they got out of the car. A few minutes later, a Ruffed Grouse flushed
beside them. They had a good day overall with 22 species, including one Song
Sparrow, a distant dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk and a large flock of
American Robins that were hanging out on a cranberry farm. The
best bird of the day was a Hermit Thrush that cooperatively sat for some
photos. A pleasant day overall -- a bit windy but lots of sunlight.
**On
Wednesday Brian Stone went for a short walk in Dartmouth, NS at Albro Lake and
visited Sullivan's Pond. At Albro Lake he noticed a MALLARD DUCK HYBRID swimming/sliding
on thin water covered ice near the shore. An adult BALD EAGLE glided
over the lake, possibly looking for a pre-Christmas dinner. At Sullivan's Pond
he photographed the DOMESTIC DUCK that has been chumming up with the
regulars in the pond.
**I don’t
mean to belabour the point on the differences between Black Huckleberry and
Privet berries in winter but did a bit of sleuthing Wednesday to satisfy my own
curiosity. There is a lone Privet shrub/tree on the lakeshore of Jones Lake.
Close examination made it easy to differentiate the two. Black Huckleberry berries
have a distinct retained calyx (see photo) at the apex (bottom) of the berry that
Privet does not. The branching/buds are opposite in Privet and alternate with
Black Huckleberry. Black Huckleberry has several small seeds while Privet only
has 2 or 3 larger ones. Black Huckleberry remains a shrub whereas Privet develops
into a tree if not trimmed.
Probably
more information than most really want to know!
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
