Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 14 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Jan 14, 2023

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

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Jean Renton was able to photograph a Weasel on November 13, 2022 which nicely shows it in its transitional pelage in that month from summer brown to winter white. As of now, the only non-snow-white cryptic pelage will be the black tail tip (and black eyes).

**Vivian Beale makes a comment many of us forget to reflect upon. She came across a Ring-necked Pheasant that had succumbed to a vehicle strike. Vivian comments pheasants are SO gorgeous, but she was shocked at how stunningly beautiful the pheasant was up close. Such dazzling jewel tones of blue, green, brown, and orange. There was pink and purple as well…..and the colour combinations were amazing. Shimmering navy blue with burnt orange. And a deep rose pink with a rusty brown. Ecologist, Carl Safina hypothesized that beauty was one of the driving forces of evolution. The Ring-necked Pheasant certainly supports that hypothesis.

Many of us have our favourite suet blends. Vivian is currently doing suet experiments. She has made bird suet for years. Suet, peanut butter, and usually peanut halves. On the internet are recipes that include whole wheat flour and cornmeal (with rave reviews) so she thought she would make both batches and let the birds choose. Vivian has only made 4 batches, so it is too early to tell. No surprise that starlings will eat anything; however, the woodpeckers and her resident Pine Warbler favour the suet and peanut butter. Insect larva will be added to another batch for the warbler. (Editor’s note: Vivian’s observed results will be interesting to hear).

**Brian Coyle was able to capture some pleasant photos of sundogs from the area of the Magnetic Hill Winery on Friday morning as the sun rose. Brian comments it was one of the best sundog displays that he has witnessed.

Sundogs are coloured spots of light that develop due to the refraction of light through ice crystals. They are located approximately 22 degrees either left, right, or both, from the sun, depending on where the ice crystals are present.

**Georges Brun had a visit from an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk to his Churchill Street urban forest on Friday. It may have been interested in the 6 Evening Grosbeaks that Georges noted enjoying some nutrition-packed buds in his neighbour’s maple tree.