Nature Moncton Nature News: Dec 24 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Dec 24, 2022

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

** David and Anita Cannon are able to watch their bird feeders just outside their bay window overlooking an area with an area of mature hardwood trees very attractive to woodpeckers.

They have had pleasant feeder patronage recently; on Friday they watched 4 different woodpecker species in a five-minute span at 11:30 a.m.: both male and female Hairy Woodpeckers, both male and female Downy Woodpeckers, a female Red-Bellied Woodpecker and a Northern Flicker. The Red-bellied Woodpecker has now been present for 6 days looking like it will be a winter guest.

A White-breasted Nuthatch shared the feeder with the Red-bellied Woodpecker, while a flock of Evening Grosbeaks was on the ground underneath. They were enjoying Black Oil Sunflower seeds.

**Jane LeBlanc in St. Martins noticed Witch’s Butter Mushroom growing on a very old branch on her Weigela bush in her yard this week. It adds colour to otherwise gray days. (Editor’s note: have been noting this colourful jelly fungus does not seem troubled by freezing nights)

At high tide (Friday) with an onshore wind, waves were breaking over a cliff at a friend's cottage in St. Martins. The cliff is at least 30 feet high. (Editor’s note: imagine what this would be like if we were experiencing the snow conditions our upper Canadian brethren are experiencing!)

**While on the subject of Witch’s Butter, Nelson Poirier photographed possibly more appropriately named Black Witch’s Butter on Piccadilly Mountain. The literature says it should be common, but Nelson does not recall seeing it before.

Many lichens were noted in that area as well. The Blue Jellyskin Lichen, Boulder Lichen, and Can-of-worms lichen were photographed.

**On Friday Brian Stone attempted to relocate the Mountain Bluebird seen on the Tantramar Marsh the day before but had no luck in that endeavor. He did see a few other denizens of the marsh though, but not as many as usual. A few distant Bald Eagles and one Northern Harrier were alternately perching and foraging across the marsh, but most were too distant for photography. A large group of American Crows were in one field and flew together when moving to other locations. While scanning fence post tops for perching raptors Brian suddenly noticed that he was being ‘scanned’ by just what he was looking for but right in front of him, so close that it wasn't in his search pattern. Brian gently and slowly opened the car door to get out and the Merlin cooperated for a few moments and allowed a few photos to be taken. It must have known that Brian needed a good picture to bring home and generously gave him an early Christmas present.

While driving back from the marsh towards the highway he stopped at a house to photograph some members of a large flock of approximately 200 Bohemian Waxwings that were occupying a tall shrub there. (Editor’s note: Brian’s photos show the signature cinnamon undertail coverts, white and yellow spots on the wing, and lack of yellowish belly to quickly distinguish them from Cedar Waxwings. They appear to be enjoying rosehips which must be a large senior rosebush.)

**Aldo Dorio photographed a content-looking American Robin at Hay Island on Friday. He suspected it is wondering whether to go or stay at this point!

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton