NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS
April 10, 2022 (Sunday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
**The Wintergreen plant a.k.a. Teaberry is an evergreen plant that produces a tasty red berry flavoured of methyl salicylate. If under a protective snow cover for the winter, the evergreen leaves can stay looking fall fresh as well as the berries that can cling overwinter.
Fred Dube noted some Wintergreen plants in the woods beside his home as the snow receded that appeared as fresh as they did last fall. Fred’s photo is attached.
The Dubes also noted one of their resident Chipmunks out and about looking very sleek having fed on its underground winter cache.
**Gordon Rattray took a walk around his property on Saturday to enjoy the new spring growth taking place. On the lawn where snow is receding Gordon saw Star-nosed Mole excavations that were made over the winter. Many of the trees are showing new growth, especially the White Spruce. The Red Oaks and the Red Maples have buds that are opening. Along a path Gordon also observed some lichen growth on the ground. The British Soldier Lichen was captured in a cluster. In another location Gordon noted three lichens in one spot which will be featured over the next few days after verification from Kendra Driscoll at the New Brunswick Museum.
**Aldo Dorio photographed a Great Blue Heron that arrived to Hay Island and I suspect it was a bit frustrated to find a layer of ice over its prey. With predicted rain and warm temperatures, it may not have to wait too long.
**The Simon family have recently enjoyed some new species in their yard including an American Tree Sparrow and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. On two occasions, they have also heard an American Woodcock calling from the backyard shortly after dusk. They haven't yet been successful in catching a glimpse of it on their trail cam.
**The snow level in the Miramichi area was heavier than the Moncton area this winter and the rivers are opening more slowly. Nelson Poirier noted a very happy-looking group of Common Mergansers that had found a pocket of open water in the Northwest Miramichi River on Sunday.
The White-tailed Deer were very appreciative of sprigs of green grass on lawns. Most seemed lean after a challenging winter.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
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