Nature Moncton Nature News: April 6 2023

April 6, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**As previously announced, Nature Moncton will be installing 25 nesting boxes on the Riverfront Trail in Moncton this coming Saturday, April 8, 2023. To those of you who are going to take part in the installation, we will be meeting at the Press Club, 100 Assomption Blvd., at 10:00 AM. Fred Dube and Fred Richards will bring all the tools necessary to complete the work. The weather forecast looks good so far. Please dress appropriately and bring a pair of work gloves. The City of Moncton will be erecting a plaque to commemorate the event. All are welcome to stop by to encourage the construction crew and act as cheerleaders for the event!

Thanks to the City of Moncton and Dan Hicks for their efforts that made this happen.

**Wayne Corcoran in Chelmsford near Miramichi reports he has had a quiet winter around his birdfeeders which is not usually the case; however, he was pleased to have a flock of 8 Pine Siskins drop by on Wednesday.

On Wednesday night, just at dusk, Wayne looked out and was super surprised to see a Fisher at his feeders.

Wayne had to look a few times in disbelief to see what was there and was fortunate enough to capture a photo.

(Editor’s note: it has to be considered an event to have a Fisher come by a feeder yard! This mammal is much more expected to be in deep woods and much more expected to be hunting prey such as Porcupine, Snowshoe Hare, and small rodents.

Fishers are rarely seen in southeastern New Brunswick but get more common in the northern half of the province. There are normally very nocturnal. Their breeding season is on at the moment.)

**So far this season, Barb Curlew has seen only single Great Blue Herons. On March 21, there was one standing on the edge of the marsh in Waterside. On March 25, Barb saw one fly over, and on Apr 5, she flushed one from a tree near Long Marsh Creek.

On March 25, Barb observed 1 Killdeer flying overhead, and on March 29, there were 15 observed on Waterside Marsh, and 3 observed on April 4.

On April 2, Barb saw 3 Northern Pintails on Waterside Marsh. There have been more Fox Sparrows than usual and lots of Song Sparrows in their yard. Barb comments, there is some interesting birding every day this time of year!

**John Inman has had yet another albinistic bird arrive at his Harvey, Albert County yard on Wednesday.

A Red-winged Blackbird appeared with very completely white outer primary wing feathers that appeared to be bilaterally symmetrical. An easy one-to-spot in flight!

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton