Nature Moncton Nature News: Feb 18 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

Feb 18, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**It’s that time of year when mammals such as the Bobcat are in family-planning mode. The females are coming into estrus and it's the one time of year when we can see Bobcats travelling as gender pairs. It is also the time of year when the female Bobcat tells her young that have been with her since spring to abruptly be on their own. This leaves the young-of-the-year having to get food on their own without mom’s help, making them more bold and more apt to be seen during the day hunting for whatever they can find, which can include tidbits left by humans.
Brian Coyle had a Bobcat check out his trail cam. Check out the link below for the action.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1kk4gsl3iedd58h/Bobcat%20%20Brian%20Coyle.AVI?dl=0

**The last Nature Moncton nest box has recently come off the assembly line of Fred Richard’s workshop with David Cannon as part-time volunteer. These nest boxes are designed to attract Tree Swallows, but some also get taken by Eastern Bluebirds, Black-capped Chickadees, and Flying Squirrels.
These nest boxes are free to Nature Moncton members and available to non-members for $20.00. Reserve the number of nest boxes you can accommodate with an email to fredrichards@rogers.com or phone 506-334-0100.
The boxes will also be available in an in-town location by emailing nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Some boxes will also be available at a booth Nature Moncton will host at the Moncton Boat & Sportsmen Show that is being held March 24-26 at the Moncton Coliseum.

**Nelson Poirier noted some Black Ash trees in the Jemseg area and collected a few branches to place in water in the house along with lilac and apple to watch the buds bursting into spring bloom.

A few comments on the buds of Black Ash to readily tell them from Red Ash and White Ash. The first lateral buds are right up against the terminal bud showing no bark between and also the leaf scar is rounded with flattop. The leaf scar also shows several small vein scars to help in identification.
In addition, Maple and Ash are our only native trees that have opposite branching, not alternate as many of our native trees have.

**Nelson Poirier also had a Sharp-shinned Hawk pay a visit to his yard to check out the patrons in the rain and sleet of Friday to provide a few uncooperative photos.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton