Nature Moncton Nature News: March 16 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 16, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**The Moncton Boat and Sportsman Show is happening on the weekend of March 24-26. Nature Moncton will have a booth at the show.

Fred and Sue Richards are taking the first 3-hour shift on March 24 and setting up with appropriate props. Fred has 3-hour volunteers for each timeslot the show is open but requires a second person for some slots. Volunteers to complete the slate are needed. If you can offer to do a slot, contact Fred at fredrichards@rogers.com or call Fred at 334-0100. All volunteers get free admission to the complete show.

All appreciation to Fred and Sue for the booth preparation and volunteer schedule to showcase Nature Moncton.

**Fred Dube was in the right place at the right time to get video footage and still photographs of a juvenile Northern Goshawk that took a female Mallard Duck as prey in his Lower Coverdale yard. We don’t often get to see this activity in our yards from this species of raptor. Check out the video action at the links below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/aff4yv96xxebjxq/NORTHERN%20GOSHAWK%20WITH%20MALLARD.%20MARCH%2015%2C%202023%2C%20FRED%20DUBE..MOV?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujryiktzzvzhilr/NORTHERN%20GOSHAWK%20WITH%20MALLARD.%20MARCH%2015%202023%2C%20FRED%20DUBE..MOV?dl=0

Fred also photographed some of the lively woodpecker action in a dead snag tree he placed in his yard, drilling holes that could be filled with suet. His resident Brown Creepers, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Red-breasted Nuthatch also find it attractive.

He also photographed American Goldfinch that are starting to show seasonal brightness to their plumage.

**Margie Scott-Rogers in Memramcook has had a pair of Northern Cardinals coming to her feeder yard together all winter. She also had a pair last winter but did not see them during the nesting season.

Being near the marsh, she also gets heavy traffic from Ring-necked Pheasants.

Margie’s yard is a dozen wing flaps from Yolande LeBlanc, leaving one to wonder if the birds may be part of that group. Hopefully, some new recruits from last year will make their home in both yards this season.

** Eric Wilson on Rural Estates Drive in the north end of Moncton got a simultaneous life look and lifer bird Wednesday afternoon. Eric has a “Wild Birds Unlimited” bird pole setup aside his home office window. Eric was pleased to have an inches away look at a Carolina Wren that has discovered sunflower seeds, millet, and the suet feeder. Eric is hoping for a return visit and perhaps the bird becoming a regular patron.

** Brian Stone visited Rockwood Park in Saint John on Tuesday and sends some photos of the interesting Mallard Duck that is presently residing in the pond at the Interpretation Centre. (Editor’s note: the white in the neck and upper breast area would tend to suggest some domestic origin in this hybrid duck).

He also got pictures of some gulls at the same spot. Further in the park, a Turkey Vulture flew close overhead as the Sun displayed a vivid 22° Solar Halo, portending the inclement weather on the way.

(Editor’s note: note the Herring Gull and the Ring-billed Gull in Brian’s photos have both lost the spots and streaks on the head of the winter adult, indicating a molt to spring/summer plumage).

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton