Nature Moncton Nature News: Oct 25 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Oct 25, 2022

To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

** Mathieu Carroll reported a Dickcissel at Point aux Carr (north of Miramichi) on Sunday Oct. 23 so Peter Gadd went out there Monday morning hoping to find what for him would be a ‘lifer’. After about 35 minutes and no luck he started back home. (Editor’s note: a 35-minute wait for a lifer is far too short Peter!)

Shortly after, Peter spotted Pam Watters on the road with the same mission assumed. Peter followed her back, knowing what a great birder she is! This was confirmed because yes, there it was when they got back to the end of the road. Judging by the distant photo Mathieu shared it was in the very same spot as Sunday, presumably getting grit from the dirt road. It returned to the same spot a couple of times and then disappeared.

A little later, Peter mentioned to Pam that there was an early report of Common Redpolls at Point aux Carr last fall. As that comment was made, Peter’s Merlin app reported hearing redpolls. Shortly after, a flock of small birds flew overhead across a field. Sure enough, on pursuit, they were able to confirm Common Redpolls. The number estimate was approximately 25 foraging on catkins on a Grey Birch.

As Pam left, Sonya Hinds came along, and sure enough after a bit of a wait, they again caught sight of the Dickcissel, and it came down to the same spot on the road!

At Point aux Carr they also were able to report Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, and Red-breasted Merganser.

Not to end his birding day there, while working in the garden Monday afternoon at home, Peter followed the tapping of a woodpecker in a maple tree to spot a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Perhaps they will enjoy the presence of this species for the winter once more as they did last winter. It wasn’t going to stick around for the paparazzi this time unfortunately; it had gone when Peter came back fully armed with his camera.

**It’s approaching November and that time of year when unexpected birds tend to appear.

Cathy Simon was thrilled to catch a glimpse of a Baltimore Oriole at her home in Lutes Mountain for the first time.

**Yet more pleasant arrivals on Monday. Our Northern friends are starting to arrive for their winter vacations! The Common Redpolls were a pleasant start, but Aldo Dorio spotted a Northern Shrike in Comeau Settlement near Neguac on Monday. It was an immature bird showing the brown tones and breast banding.

Aldo also photographed a Canada Jay with its often-seen curious perusal of its photographer!

**Grant Ramsey shares a pleasant photo of a Ruffed Grouse he photographed at Bass River.

Grant and Magda also had a White-breasted Nuthatch join them at their birdfeeder and were able to enjoy the antics of this species.

**Lisa Morris is also taking note of the flight period of adult Alder Woolly Aphids at the moment pretending to simulate early snowflakes. Lisa captured a photo of one taking a break from flight on a maple leaf to show how small these ‘snowflakes’ really are.

**Nelson Poirier was pleased to have the first Evening Grosbeak of the season come by his Miramichi camp feeder tray on Monday. It had to contend with the hordes of Blue Jays that appear to have gotten the idea they are the only ones invited to the feeder trays!

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton