Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 11 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Jan 11, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Louise Nichols, Wendy Sullivan and Elaine Gallant checked out some spots along the coast on Monday from Shediac to Petit-Cap. At Pointe-du-Chêne and further east to Cap Bimet, various sea duck species were present, such as Long-tailed Ducks, Common Eiders, Common and Barrow's Goldeneye and Common and Red-breasted Merganser -- but the action was too far out for good photographs. Further east at Rue Niles, a number of gulls were present, illustrating different species and different plumages. The group noticed a Glaucous Gull at Rue Niles in a group of other gulls. Louise got photos that show the Glaucous Gull (adult) next to an Iceland Gull (3rd winter) to show the difference in body size and head size/structure between these two species.

(Editor’s note: take close note of the variation between the two 1st winter plumage Iceland Gulls Louise photographed in photo #1 that are arrowed. The gull on the left is the more common plumage of a 1st winter Iceland Gull whereas the one on the right is the very dark variation of a 1st winter Iceland Gull that at first could be confused with a1st winter Herring Gull. Note the lack of black primary projection, smaller size (nearer the camera), and barring effect on the plumage to make it a 1st winter Iceland Gull. Lots of discussion ensued on this gull but Louise was correct with her first identification!)

Louise continued on her own to take a walk along the Petit-Cap beach where it was mostly quiet in January. There was a small group of gulls out on the water, including a Ring-billed which Louise photographed next to a Herring Gull.

**Brian Coyle was able to photograph Coyote tracks on a frozen pond, which was the perfect substrate to leave a very identifiable print and trail.
The measurement was 20” between tracks, with the individual paw prints measuring approximately 2” long and 1 1/2” wide which is very much in the average Coyote range.
Note the ‘Perfect Stepping’ where the right hind paw lands directly on top of the right fore paw with the same on the left side to create a diagonal trail as an energy-saving technique several species use.
Also note the elongation of the track and nail imprint (feline would be more rounded without nail imprint), negative space which is arrowed is cone shaped where feline would be C-shaped, and the print is clean whereas a Red Fox would be ‘hair blurred’)

Brian was also able to see and photograph the Green-tailed Towhee in Sackville feeding on the birdseed at the gazebo. The light snowfall on Monday appeared to make it more interested in the feeder area at the gazebo, whereas on Sunday, it preferred foraging in the grassy areas.

**Jamie Burris comments the only seed he had for feeding the birds was black oil sunflower. Having a Song Sparrow around the last couple of weeks made him think it could use some white millet as he knows they enjoy it so much. He purchased one of the seed bells they sell at the Dollar Store and hung it in their Highbush Cranberry bush. Sure enough, Jamie looked out the window and the Song Sparrow was feeding on it. The 10 + Dark-eyed Juncos have also tried the new menu and enjoyed it as well. (Editor’s note: off to Dollar Store this morning!)

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton