Nature Moncton Nature News: March 20 2023

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

March 20, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Nature Moncton March meeting is on for tomorrow night, Tuesday. The announcement is repeated at the end of this edition.

**Richard Blacquiere reports there was a male Ruddy Duck in the first pond Hampton lagoon Sunday morning. It still has a way to go to develop into breeding plumage. (Editor’s note: Sibley points out that the male Ruddy Duck takes on its breeding plumage in March, so a sudden molt can be expected soon). Richard got a nice photo of the Ruddy Duck beside a Mallard Duck to show the small size of this species).
The duck variety in that ice-free pond continues to grow; currently, there are Common Goldeneye, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Mallards, Blacks, and, occasionally, Canada Geese. Iceland Gulls continue to linger, and Ring-billed Gulls are again a daily presence.

**Cathy and Evar Simon were walking in the Irishtown Nature Park and were surprised to come across a female Ruffed Grouse who was very comfortable with walkers passing by in close proximity.

**Georges Brun confirms the presence of 2 Short-Eared Owls in Riverview Marsh near the outlet Trans-Aqua. George saw one in late November flying from the Jonathan Creek side of Vaughan Harvey Blvd (near Pollinator Park - Assomption Blvd). He was able to get a few photos then but could not get visual markings of the underwings. He was not able to locate them in the marsh Dec., Jan., or Feb. until reports from Sue Berube earlier this month. Most feeding areas were frozen closer to Moncton. The south area has a greater number of Cattails, which helps sections to take up water and there is less freezing. A female Northern Harrier has stayed in the area off and on for most of the fall and winter. The Northern Harrier was not impressed with the Short-eared Owl the day he saw it.

Spring Turnover is ongoing along the banks of the Petitcodiac River at the moment. A Crow also got into the act to harass the owl.

Above the new bridge in Riverview-Moncton, very large flocks of gulls have decided to use the bridge and they approach for cover from the northeast winds.

There is a pair of Bald Eagles probably on Mac Wilmot’s land who seem to be setting up housekeeping.

**Fred and Lynn Dube put out cracked corn in their Coverdale driveway, which was found very quickly by Mallard Ducks earlier in the season.

In the past week, it has attracted other wildlife that was not expected. It would appear 2 Coyotes are visiting nocturnally, and a juvenile Northern Goshawk has made at least two visits for a duck dinner.

The snag tree Fred has erected with cavity-filled suet has become a major attraction to several species of suet connoisseurs.

**Shannon Inman did a quick trip around the block in the Harvey area and spotted an American Woodcock and approximately 15 goldeneyes, some of which were performing male Common Goldeneyes.
(Editor’s note: always pleasant to see those first arriving American Woodcock (timberdoodles!) and we will soon be hearing/seeing the males do their dramatic courtship displays).

**On Saturday, Brian Coyle was out to his trail cameras (he has 8 trail cameras out) and came upon fresh Coyote and Raccoon tracks and sign. (Editor’s note: note the human hand-like print of the fore paw of the Raccoon).

In addition, he observed a half dozen Black-capped Chickadees in a Tamarack tree, seemingly feeding on the tender buds. Upon arriving at his home, he sat on the back deck and was able to get some additional photos of one of the pair of resident Brown Creepers in his backyard, at times feeding on the ground at the base of Spruce trees.

**The Nature Moncton March meeting will take place this coming Tuesday night, March 21, at 7:00 PM, when Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director of the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance, will give a live presentation at the Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge. It will also be available virtually.

The presentation write-up is below:

Nature Moncton March Meeting

March 21, 2023, at 7:00 PM

Mapleton Rotary Lodge

Presenter: Kelsey Wilson, Executive Director, PWA

“Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance update”

The Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance has a wide variety of current and past projects. Generally, these fit into 4 general categories: scientific monitoring, habitat improvement, environmental assessment, and education & outreach. Together, these themes provide a rounded approach to restoring and protecting the ecological services of the water systems that flow into Shepody Bay through science-based research, action, and public outreach.

This year the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance is celebrating 25 years of incorporation, and 26 since its inception. To celebrate, the PWA is ramping up in some key areas to increase its impact and improve environmental monitoring, health, and education in our watershed. The organization has launched new branding, communications strategies, and a new website that better highlights their work and includes interactive features to learn more about the PWA’s work, the watershed, and some key aspects of environmental management in the region. The PWA has also moved to a new location that increases its capacity and the types of activities it can pursue, while also taking on some new projects to revitalize its work and increase impact. At the same time, the organization continues to pursue its long-standing projects in green infrastructure, water quality monitoring and restoring fish passage for species such as the endangered iBoF Salmon. PWA Executive Director Kelsey Wilson will share updates on these projects -- comprising some results from their 2022 field season -- and give us a glimpse of what is coming to launch the organization into its next 25 years, including ways to get involved in hands-on projects that improve the health of our local waterways.

This meeting will be in person at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge, but anyone is welcome to join virtually from anywhere at the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467213229?pwd=elZ5cFA4V3pjUDNnYURZcVRQd1NFUT09

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton