Nature Moncton Nature News: February 8 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

February 8, 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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Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com if any errors are noted in wording or photo labelling.

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Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**Georges Brun got photos of 2 Red Foxes on the Riverview Marsh across from Bore Park Wednesday morning. It appeared one fox was a female in estrus by her action with a courter in the scenario. The suspected male was not himself for he missed a meal of 2 hen and one cock Ring-Necked Pheasants. The assumed fox pair was near the marsh Gazebo near the river.

(Editor’s note: it is now mating time for the Red Fox in preparation for a family to arrive in early spring with the right timing to feed hungry teenage pups when food is more available.

The spectacular leaps of the foraging Red Fox are always a treat to watch.)

**Barb Curlew and Rick Elliott have had 10 -12 American Tree Sparrows coming to their feeders since January 27th, which roughly coincides with our more ‘wintery weather’.

On Feb 7th Barb Curlew observed a large flock of about 100 Snow Buntings busily foraging on Waterside Marsh for grass seeds.

**Norbert Dupuis shares more excellent photos of his feeder patrons on Wednesday from his Memramcook East deck.

(Editor’s note: note in one of Norbert’s photos the sleet-covered buds on the tree. There is a good chance we will be seeing more sleet with the upcoming warmer day temperatures and cool nights. This can make foraging difficult for seeds, buds, winter gleaning fruit, etc., and may make well-maintained birdfeeders more attractive.)

**On Wednesday afternoon Brian Stone walked through Mapleton Park and was entertained by the tinkling and crashing of ice falling from coated tree branches and striking the similarly ice-coated snowbanks below. An American Robin perched on a distant tree top and a Hairy Woodpecker did the same on an even more distant tree top that turned out to be too far for a photo.

Brian noted that for the first time, he saw Hall's Creek frozen over at the bridge near Gorge Rd., likely due to it now being a beaver pond. The beaver lodge was snow-covered and quiet and no residents were in evidence.

Along the trail, a male Pileated Woodpecker was spotted seemingly listening for sounds of potential food offerings under the bark of a tree (using its built-in stethoscope!) while curious Black-capped Chickadees flew in close in the hope of a seed handout which Brian sadly forgot to bring along this time. A male Ring-necked Pheasant rushed across the road hoping to escape the dangers that exposed him and was photographed through the car window as he successfully made his crossing.

**On a recent Caribbean visit, Nelson Poirier enjoyed a brief encounter with a Black Vulture, a species that occasionally visits us in New Brunswick. There were many Turkey Vultures in the area, but the Black Vulture moment was special!

A few Scarlet Macaw photos are added as well. This is a beautiful large neotropical parrot which we will only expect to see in New Brunswick as a caged bird. Fortunately, these birds are no longer routinely taken from the wild but raised in captivity for those who choose to have them as companion birds.

Photos of a Tropical Kingbird, a Royal Tern, and the Bahama Mockingbird are added for interest. Nelson stands to be corrected on the identity of these last 3 birds.

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton