April 10, 2023
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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Proofreading
courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca
**Brian Coyle was out tending his trail cameras on Saturday, and one of the cameras showed a fleeting glimpse of a dark and tapered mammal’s tail. Brian is quite sure that it is the tail of a Fisher…. If so, this is only 500 meters from his Lower Mountain Road home.
Brian sends a screenshot of the start of the video showing the tail.
(Editor’s note: the Fisher is quite uncommon in southeastern New Brunswick yet more commonly occurring in the northern half of New Brunswick. This is the breeding period for the Fisher, and hopefully one has a territory in the area of Brian’s trail cameras for that potential photo).
** Jane LeBlanc
in St. Martins was enjoying the cold but sunny Easter morning when she caught a
Turkey Vulture soaring overhead. She has seen numerous ones this spring
in the area.
Jane also had
a pair of Purple Finches although the male wouldn't pose for a photo.
The female is sitting in Jane's Witch Hazel shrub, and you can see last
year's flowers and seed pods still attached.
**Aldo Dorio noted a small flock of Snow
Buntings still with us at Hay Island. They soon will be filing flight plans
north to their summer breeding grounds dressed in their breeding plumage.
**On Sunday morning, Wayne Corcoran had 5 Red-winged Blackbirds
make an appearance in his near Miramichi yard. Last year he had them on March
26th, with them arriving 2 weeks later this year.
** The Northern
Shoveler duck Georges Brun photographed Saturday was in the small pond at
the corner of Assomption Blvd. and Vaughan Harvey (Pollinator Park) on Sunday.
The Song Sparrow arrived at the Landing next
to the Chateau Moncton 7 or 8 days past and finally showed itself.
One has been returning to the same area for the last 4 years. Some folks drop
some breadcrumbs or small seeds, and it somehow manages to eat and
survive.
The male House Finch arrived a few days
later, and Georges was finally able to get the photo he wanted. He could
hear it sing but it was hidden in a large evergreen tree, so it took a bit longer
to see. It is a returnee with approximately 3 seasons of nesting at
the Landing.
**A heads up to slot off this coming Saturday, April 15, for the Nature Moncton sea duck field trip with write up below:
SEA DUCK MIGRATION OUTING
Date: Saturday, April 15th,
2023Time: 9:30 AM
Place: Sobeys at Elmwood Drive
Guide: Roger
Leblanc
We all know what ducks
are. They are one of the most recognizable groups of birds. They are big,
colorful (males in particular), and not hard to find. But did you know that in
these parts, we are fortunate enough to be right in the passing lane of sea
duck migration, a natural phenomenon that can be quite impressive? In early
spring, many sea ducks that have wintered on the coast of the Atlantic will be
on the move, following the Northumberland strait up to their northern breeding
grounds. En route, they will often stop to feed and rest in large numbers. And
this is our chance to observe them at a time when they are dressed in their
finest and when their breeding behavior and vocalizations are not only possible
but expected.
To help you take in
this natural spectacle, Nature Moncton is offering a sea duck migration outing
on April 15th. Roger Leblanc
will be our leader on this quest. He has
been studying the sights and sounds of sea ducks on the Northumberland coast
for decades and is always pleased to share that knowledge with others.
From there, we will
explore several known hot spots for sea duck migration up to and including
Bouctouche. So, if you have always wanted to know more about sea ducks and
their habits, this activity is for you. Come join us for a fun learning
activity.
Bring lunch, water,
and snacks.
All are welcome,
Nature Moncton member or not.
Nelson Poirier
Nature
Moncton
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