Nature Moncton Nature News: February 29 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

February 29, 2024

Nature Moncton members as well as any naturalist in New Brunswick or beyond are invited to share their photos and descriptions of recent nature sightings to build a fresh (almost) daily edition of Nature News

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Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**On February 27th, Suzanne Tarte-Poussart and Yves Poussart drove along the coast to enjoy the nice weather. Along the way, Yves stopped at a few sites to check for potential species to observe and photograph. In Cormierville, a small group of Snow Buntings allowed him to get a nice series of photos. In the Bouctouche area, he got photos of a pair of Barrow's Goldeneye moving along in the company of a male Greater Scaup. A nice view of a female Red-breasted Merganser sitting on a sheet of ice was also captured.

**Karen Reid joined the participants of the recent Nature Moncton Birdfeeder Tour and happened to have some photos on her camera that very much interested other participants and shares them with us today.

Karen had a sparrow visiting her Salisbury feeder yard in late January that she felt was different. She had difficulty getting a photo due to being away during the day. She was able to get an excellent weekend photo of a Clay-coloured Sparrow. She felt it was in her yard for approximately two weeks.

Karen photographed a 1st-winter Iceland Gull and a 1st-winter Herring Gull in January, as well as a Pine Warbler that she photographed in a Pine Tree at the Salisbury water treatment plant.

Back in June, Karen was surprised to spot a clutch of baby birds that she did not recognize peering from under a conifer tree in her backyard, so was equally surprised and pleased to have a female Ring-necked Pheasant suddenly appear and be on her way with her large family.

**Norbert Dupuis comments his 2 female Northern Cardinals have been visiting for 112 consecutive days. He feels very lucky to be able to admire them and to study their habits. They usually come very early in the morning and late at night and they love safflower and sunflower seeds. They rarely come to eat together but they will stay perched for long periods on the same tree, especially alders.

Norbert also photographed an American Goldfinch that appears to show the yellow tones getting brighter as others have suggested.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton