Nature Moncton Nature News: April 9 2023

April 9, 2023

To respond by e-mail, please address message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com .

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at www.naturemoncton.com .

Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

** The Nature Moncton project of erecting 25 bird nest boxes on the Riverfront Trail in Moncton on Saturday went very well under sunny skies, with a jovial group of Nature Moncton members enjoying the time together. The hardest work was performed by Fred Dube and Fred Richards, who were the chief metal post-pounders! However, a spirited group of gofers assisted.

The six-hour effort was watched over by several members of the wildlife community. It started off with a small flock of Bohemian Waxwings, Canada Geese, 2 urban Groundhogs, a male Northern Harrier, Killdeer, Georges Brun on his electric bike, and possibly most significant was a Peregrine Falcon perched on the big A logo on Assumption Place near the nest box located atop Assumption Place keeping an eye on the group.

A Nature Moncton committee has worked hard the past few months to have a nest cam installed in the falcon nest box. With many seemingly unnecessary delays, the camera was about to be installed when a Peregrine Falcon was spotted at the nest box. The committee felt it too risky to complete the mission that was oh so close to completion. The committee will be actively meeting over the next months to hopefully have it installed in the fall after an eleventh year of successful nesting is completed.

**Saturday would certainly suggest it was a second Groundhog Day in Moncton, with 3 individuals spotted. Dale Pugh spotted a Groundhog busy foraging for food near the Botsford and Wheeler intersection in Moncton on Friday, and with minimal traffic, she was able to stop for some photos and a video. Take a look at a very hungry Groundhog foraging in Dale’s attached video:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kh2vopu4b989dla/Groundhog%20..%20Dale%20Pugh.mp4?dl=0

(Editor’s note: note in Dale’s photos that one clearly shows the underside details of the hind paw to take notice of the paw print that would be left to help identify the track. Another photo also shows the white enamel of the incisor teeth).

** Georges Brun spotted a Sharp-Shinned Hawk that was hiding in a maple tree (that apparently a robin did not spot). Georges took a photo of the hiding raptor, but then it flew to the ground to take a robin as prey.

**There are 10 newly minted bird nest boxes available in Moncton awaiting homes. There have recently been approximately 20 new members join that may not be aware these nest boxes are free to members. They are most attractive to Tree Swallows, Eastern Bluebirds, Black-capped Chickadees, and the occasional Flying Squirrel.

Contact Nelson Poirier at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if you would like some. They should be erected soon to get this season’s occupancy.

**Nature Moncton had 2 unclaimed Ducks Unlimited duck boxes seeking a home. Peter Gadd came to the rescue and erected them in Miramichi Marsh on Saturday, complete with some comfy bedding and ready for tenants.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton