Nature Moncton Nature News: April 11 2023

April 11, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Sea duck migration appears to be very much underway! Georges Brun photographed Common Eider Monday afternoon over the Petitcodiac River downriver of Halls Creek. He estimates the flock was 200+.

A little later, a flock of 28 Long-tailed Ducks flew across from Halls Creek closer to the Riverview side of the Petitcodiac River.

Georges also photographed a female Common Merganser just west of Parlee Street in Jones Lake. The lower section is still frozen over, with the opening of freshwater along the northern side of the lake. The channel is open a few hundred feet below Parlee St. up to Mount Royal.

(Editor’s note: Jones Lake seems to be clearing very rapidly on Monday. Anna Tucker was there later in the day to note more Common Merganser and Canada geese present).

**The water retention pond in Sackville on St. James Street is doing it again this year, welcoming a variety of bird patrons, including some waterfowl.
Deanna Fenwick was able to get nice photographs of Ring-necked Ducks and a Great Blue Heron at that pond. She was also able to get photos of Green-winged Teals from the Tantramar Marsh (High Marsh Road).
Lots of waterfowl are now arriving with migration from the south and to the north.

**Cathy and Isabelle Simon assisted the Saint John Naturalist Club by taking a turn counting migratory seabirds passing by at the Point Lepreau Bird Observatory on Saturday, April 7. Eighteen bird species were observed, but most were out of range for photos. However, Cathy did capture a nice image of 7 of the 24 Harlequin Ducks that were parked in front of the rocks on the Point all morning. Harlequin Ducks are a species at risk.

The Easter weekend sunshine was certainly welcome! Cathy and Isabelle Simon spotted Coltsfoot on each of their hikes in Saint John and Moncton over the long weekend.

**Jamie Burris placed their Chrysanthemum plant on their deck Monday morning and, within seconds, got a bee! A good sign of spring.

**The early cultivars are ablaze with bloom, especially these last few days, and welcoming the early flying bees. Anna Tucker photographed a contented clump of Crocus outside her door.

**John Inman had two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers getting territorial or possibly getting better acquainted on Monday. John had a Turkey Vulture fly in behind the cedars to walk to the feeder to see what the crows were eating. They threw out a leftover meal they had for the hawk. The vulture was right on it and left satisfied, and they have a feeling it might be back!

(Editor’s note: I suspect not many birdfeeder yards have a Turkey Vulture patron; however, the Inman’s do tend to get unexpected visitors and should get ready as Turkey Vultures don’t tend to travel alone!).

**Jane LeBlanc had the male Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker back in her yard Monday to capture some striking photos and yes, there is really a yellow (ish) belly!

The male Purple Finch also posed on Monday to not let the sapsucker completely steal the show.

**Brian Stone got a nighttime video from his trail cam to show more very urban wildlife as a Skunk visited his backyard to forage for grubs. Take a look at the action in the attached video below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n71pfcmxelhnmsn/SKUNK.%20APRIL%2008%2C%202023.%20BRIAN%20STONE.MP4?dl=0

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton