Nature Moncton Nature News: April 13 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

April 13, 2022 (Wednesday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

**On April 10th Thomas Gianoli and Émilie Martel found a Yellow-Throated Vireo in Anchorage Provincial Park, Grand Manan Island. The following day Therese and Jim Carroll were able to experience the same bird a short distance away from the original location. The vireo was alone and observed foraging through alders. The location had more flying insects in the area than any other locations experienced so far this year.

Jim was able to capture a few beautiful photographs of this uncommon visitor to New Brunswick. It is a common bird that breeds to the south of us but uncommon to be seen in New Brunswick. Thank you to Jim for sharing his prize catch!

**Aldo Dorio captured photos of a pair of Greater Scaup at Hay Island on Tuesday. He also got a photo of an apparent pair of Bufflehead. Neither of these species nest in New Brunswick so it is assumed they are in migration to their breeding grounds and making a pit stop at Hay Island. (Editors note: there is record of Greater Scaup nesting in New Brunswick but few in number)

**George Brun was very fortunate to capture a documentary photo on the Riverview Marsh of a Short-eared Owl late Wednesday afternoon. There has been some observations of this species at that location over the winter but none recently. This may be a newcomer or one that has escaped observation.

**Jane LeBlanc spotted a female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in her maple tree this afternoon. (editor’s note: the main feature of note to differentiate the genders is the red throat in the male that is lacking in the female).They have been coming there infrequently in spring for a few years, and Jane was lucky to see it as it passed through her St. Martins yard. She suggests there are benefits to being outside with a puppy, even in showers.

**Brian Stone walked along the trail/road behind the Irishtown Nature Park on Tuesday up to the canoe launch area where he sat for an hour to relax in the quiet nature. A total of 6 Bald Eagles put on an aerial display over the still mainly frozen reservoir for him and he photographed some of the participants. While he was doing that 2 male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers drummed and called in the trees behind him. In a few of the open water areas a small group of Common Mergansers congregated, occasionally flying from one open water area to another. A pair of Hooded Mergansers tagged along and the male was photographed with a fish snack freshly caught. A Common Loon was heard calling but was too far across the reservoir to be seen with binoculars. Brian also adds a Crocus Flower image from his front lawn.