Nature Moncton Nature News: Feb 13 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Feb 13, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

** John Inman got a few perfect photographs of a Cooper's Hawk hunting for a meal in his yard to show nicely some of the features to easily differentiate from the similar Sharp-shinned Hawk.

(Editor’s note: note the rounded tail at the tip with the middle tailfeathers the longest, the tailfeathers have a crisp white tip, the head appears large compared to the body, the feathers on the back of the head are raised giving a crested look, the body seems thick and tubular with a lower centre of gravity, the legs tend to have a thick look, and the feathers on the crown are darker than the feathers on the back of the neck, giving the bird a capped appearance).

John's Baltimore Oriole has not been seen since February 10, when it seemed quite healthy. He ponders if maybe the hawks are responsible or it found another food source.

**Yves Poussart Comments the Nature Moncton Birdfeeder Tour on Saturday, February 11^th was a very pleasant one and

surely a great event with great company. Yves thanks all those who contributed to organizing this nice activity and those who provided the good food and drinks that kept us all warm during the day.

It was a nice opportunity to capture many photos covering several species and Yves shares some of them.

**Ted Currie spotted an interesting duck Sunday morning at Mapleton Park, adjacent to the Gorge Road parking area in Moncton in company with Mallard ducks. It has the bill of a Mallard hen, but the body was mostly white.

We have all seen a variety of Mallard hybrids at Mapleton Park, but Ted’s observation may take the prize!

**Dale Pugh also chimes in that the Nature Moncton feeder tour made for a great day, and she appreciated the hospitality of the hosts, the treats, the birds, and meeting everyone.
Dale’s strikingly clear photographs of the Downy Woodpecker show that distinct tuft of bristles ahead of the nostrils to keep the sawdust from wood-pecking out (arrowed).
Dale also adds a bit of humour in noting the woodpeckers and chickadees don’t seem to take note of the expiry date of the peanut butter!!

**It’s that time of year when we can take branches from trees outside, put them in a vase of water inside, and many species will burst into leaf/flower assuming spring is here. Nelson Poirier collected lilac and apple branches on Sunday, expecting fragrant lilac blooms and apple blossoms in 10 to 14 days.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton