Nature Moncton Nature News: Aug 20 2022

August 20, 2022 (Saturday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

**On Friday, Andrew Darcy got word of an American White Pelican that was present at Bouctouche Dune from Pierette Richard and Renee Daigle Arseneau.

Naturally, Andrew had to go see the bird. He had great views from the Irving Ecocenter footpath while the bird foraged for fish until it swam into the larger lagoon and out of view. Andrew was able to get more distant views from the road while the pelican was preening and hanging out on the beach with some Canada geese. What a beautiful bird and neat to see here in New Brunswick. Andrew has seen quite a few in Northwestern Ontario, but this was an NB lifer for him.

This is presumably the same bird that was observed by many up near Bathurst last weekend.

**Louise Nichols visited Westcock near Sackville on Thursday afternoon to check the beach for shorebirds. The tide was very low, so the birds were scattered far and wide, but likely a few thousand were present of mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers with some Least and White-rumped mixed in, and also Semipalmated Plovers. Louise saw one Black-bellied Plover in the group. The most exciting show, however, was the Peregrine Falcons. Louise saw a pair of juvenile birds up the beach from where she was standing. One of them was on the rocks and appeared to be plucking at prey. The other was flying above, appearing to enjoy the strong wind, soaring up and down and in circles. Suddenly that bird turned and travelled toward Louise, reaching her and coming very close to her head when it then veered upward, circled her and eventually moved onward down the beach. Louise was able to get a few photos when it was close by. Later, she observed two Peregrines (likely the same ones) flying up and down together as though enjoying some "play". They were far up the beach again, so Louise was able to get only documentary photos of the action.

**The Petitcodiac River Tidal Bore is often at its highest a few days after new Moon. However, the full Moon on August 11 produced high Tidal Bore levels a few days after and Georges Brun got some action photos of a surfer challenging the Tidal Bore on August 14.

The RCMP Pipes and Drum Band will be piping in the Tidal Bore as it arrives passing the Moncton Press Club on November 5 to get the long planned Petitcodiac River Appreciation Day started appropriately. A full day of enthusiastic presenters is planned to have us realize just how special this River amongst us is.
Tickets for the event are hoped to be available after September 1.

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com