Nature Moncton Nature News: April 6 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

April 6, 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

To respond by e-mail, please address your 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 .

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

The live feed to the Peregrine Falcon nest box camera can be accessed at https://www.zoodemagnetichillzoo.ca/nest-cam

**It seems almost too hard to believe after the snow, rain, and clouds we have had the last few days, but the weather forecast is indeed calling for Sun on Monday, the day of the much-anticipated solar eclipse. Nature Moncton is planning on a group watch of the events unfolding in the yard of the camp of Nelson Poirier which happens to be in the path of eclipse totality. The write-up is at the end of this edition with that upfront on Sunday. The directions would seem far more descriptive than necessary with the availability of GPS in automobiles and phones today; however, the direction description is there for those who may find it helpful.

**An interesting report comes from Peter Gadd on how his Miramichi bird patrons coped with the sudden snow cover.

Peter comments that it was a struggle Friday with the heavy wet snow that fell through the night and all day, to lay out provisions for the usually ground-feeding birds, but they seemed to cope in the end.

Seeds spread on the ground were quickly covered. Like many others, they have quite many early-returned Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. When they arrived in numbers on Saint Patrick’s Day it was easier for them than presently. They have quite a variety of feeders and the birds figured out how to handle most of them to some extent. Then of course their buddies gathered under the feeders for the inevitable spillage.

The Northern Cardinals relied on their own devices as one would expect from a year-round resident. Outnumbered by blackbirds they resorted to eating buds from a Hawthorn tree and the smaller sparrows were able to feed in covered cages so they did not go without. Three Tree Sparrows were able to feed from a cylindrical feeder effectively. The Mourning Doves were the hardest to serve but they got by adequately.

(Editor’s note: it was very interesting to note the Northern Cardinal foraging the nutrient-packed buds of trees. An excellent choice with seeds covered.)

** Norbert Dupuis was pleased to have 5 male Purple Finch arrive to his Memramcook East feeder yard on Friday evening. This species seems to be moving in nicely at the moment with predominantly males arriving first, but the females should be quick to follow. Norbert may have seen one female but it was hard to separate with all the activity.

** Nature Moncton will be going to Miramichi to view the Total Solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. There has not been a total Solar eclipse in NB since the year 932. It was so long ago, even Fred does not remember it! The eclipse will start at 3:25 with totality at 4:35 with the last contact at 5:42.

Please dress appropriately for the weather as we will be outside for over two hours. Remember to bring your eclipse glasses as a quick look at the sun, even when partially eclipsed, can do permanent damage to your eyes. You can also damage your eyes while looking at the eclipse through your camera. Cameras will benefit from a sun filter as well.

Fred recommends bringing some snacks as it will be after the supper hour when we wrap this up and depending on how busy Miramichi is, it may take a while to get food.

We will be meeting at Nelson Poirier’s camp (directions below) for the event. It will be about a 2-hour drive time from Moncton. Because Miramichi is in the center of the path of the eclipse, there may be a lot of traffic so plan your time accordingly. We will try to organize carpooling so keep an eye on the website, Facebook, or Nature News for updates. If you would like to join us, please email fred.j.richards@gmail.com so we can get an idea of how many will be attending. All are Welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Fred Richards

Camp Directions

From Moncton via rte. 126

Go out Mountain Rd. as far as you can go past Magnetic Hill coming around to Lyons Country Store (Ultramar). Mountain Rd. ends here at the intersection. Turn right onto rte. 126 which also goes towards Rogersville. Follow rte. 126 until you come to traffic lights at Miramichi. It is actually the traffic circle you will come to after leaving Moncton other than the odd flashing caution light. Takes approx. 1 ½ hr.

At the traffic circle, bear onto rte. 117 and keep on that highway coming to a small traffic rotary after approx. 4.5 km. Go around that rotary and at approximately .8 km. (less than a km), take exit 164 and at the end of the ramp, turn right towards Sunny Corner on rte 425, coming to an Irving Mainway after approx. 17.5 km. Go past it and cross the big Redbank Bridge over the river and you will come to a stop sign at rte. 420 just past a large church. Turn right and go approximately 3.8 km. to camp driveway.

If you choose to come via rte. 11, travel to Miramichi city and take exit # 119 as you approach Miramichi not far past a Tim Hortons location. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto rte. 117 which bypasses the city. After making that right turn, travel 8 km until you come to the traffic lights and from there follow the directions in the above paragraph as you continue straight on rte. 117.

If coming from Fredericton via rte 8, start odometer from the Irving Mainway in Blackville. Pass the Renous Penitentiary at 8.1 km. Watch for the sign Redbank-Quarryville. Just past the sign, take a left onto rte. 415 (north) at 15.2 km from the Blackville Irving Mainway. Travel rte 415 for 9.1 km to its end. Turn left onto rte. 420 towards Redbank. Travel 5.9 km on rte. 420.

Don’t be concerned if you note a vehicle in the yard with a crown on the license plate. It’s probably the Lieutenant Governor dropping by for tea again!!!

The driveway to the camp is on the right (coming from Moncton) with blue civic signs 2340 and 2342 on a utility pole. This is a shared driveway with the camp just down over the hill. There is parking just past the camp and lots by the house on the left going down the driveway (Nelson’s nephew).

Camp telephone # is 506-866-2752

Nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton