NATURE
MONCTON NATURE NEWS
March 19,
2022 (Saturday)
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Edited by:
Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
**When Yolande
Leblanc went to refill the trays of seed, she heard a call like a flicker,
but louder.
The
Northern Cardinal was singing. She opened the window to the house and could
hear him from inside. He stays in the Pine trees beside the house.
Then from
inside the house, she saw a flash of white and a Pileated Woodpecker was on a
tree trunk right behind the feeders. She had been blaming the Red-bellied
Woodpecker for stripping the bark off many trees in the forest. Now she knows
better!
**Brian
Stone headed out in the great weather on Friday to drive over the Caledonia
Mountain once more. Before leaving on his outing Brian photographed a male Ring-necked
Pheasant that was striding around his back yard looking for snacks. On the
way Brian saw a dozen Canada Geese in the large field at the beginning
of the Turtle Creek Rd. (Rt 910). A pair of Bald Eagles flew over but
the adult avoided being photographed while the immature one was found by the
camera. At Caledonia Mountain the plus 12°C temperature and sun allowed Brian
to drive with the windows open and have an extra aid in locating birds as he
could hear them as well as see them. Several groups of birds were heard while
driving but went quiet when the car stopped and were not able to be located.
Good to hear though.
About 4 or
5 km in on the road Brian heard Boreal Chickadees calling and stopped to
try for a photo. There were 3 Boreal Chickadees that were hopping about in the
trees at that spot and only one poor photo was managed as they were just
too quick. At the second tall communication tower Brian saw 2 Canada Jays
glide silently across the road and several decent photos were possible as they
came close to check out Brian before they went on their way. Many spots had Pine
Siskins foraging grit on the road and calling from the trees.
Near the
end of the road a pair of Red Crossbills were also taking grit from the
road and perched on the overhead wires long enough to allow some photos. Brian
drove back over the road a second time but no other birds or wildlife appeared.
There were several areas where the side of the road was washed away by the
recent wet weather. At Turtle Creek on the way back Brian somehow noticed a
very still and camouflaged Ruffed Grouse standing at the edge of the
road and got some rushed photos as the grouse darted into the safety of the
woods. (Editors note: note the feathered legs (booted) of the Ruffed Grouse)
**Nelson Poirier has been noting a pair of White-breasted Nuthatch foraging on larger older neighbourhood trees all winter but only saw them at the feeders once. They suddenly have become very loud and much more vocal, making him suspect they’re setting up a territory in the neighbourhood.
**Fred Dube and Nelson Poirier continued on the nest box erection roll on
Friday by placing 2 Ducks Unlimited nest boxes along the
stream near the White Birch Lagoon where Wood Ducks have been seen. Other
species such as Hooded Merganser, Common Goldeneye, and Common Merganser will
use these boxes as well so hopefully patrons will find them comfortable.
Also
noted were aspen buds bursting open. They appeared to be Largetooth
Aspen which is unexpected as normally the buds of Trembling Aspen burst open up
to 2 weeks earlier than Largetooth Aspen.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
