Nature Moncton Nature News: May 2 2024

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

May 2, 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

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

**Earlier this week Eric Wilson identified a Virginia Opossum. Stopping to photograph it on the Trans Canada Highway was not a safe option. But it was clearly identified by its size and shape, white, pink, and gray colouration, long pointed tail, and long pointed snout. It was the first of this species seen in New Brunswick by Eric. He asks about the status of the species for New Brunswick.
I consulted with Don McAlpine at the New Brunswick Museum, and he gave us an excellent response to bring us all up to speed on the status of this mammal in New Brunswick. I am quoting Don’s response:

“There is one confirmed Virginia Opossum record for NB. A juvenile animal was caught in a rabbit snare at Rexton NB in March 2014 (NBM-MA-18137). Given the time of year and the circumstances, the assumption is that this animal hitched a ride on a truck from regions south of NB and got here that way. Otherwise, the closest NB record is from Maine. We have the remains of a roadkill I picked up in Bangor some years ago in the NBM mammal collection. In December 2023 I received a report and a very poor quality photo of a supposed opossum from Milltown, NB. The image is suggestive but too poor quality to be confirmative. I also have a recent report (no image) from Moncton, although my bet would be on raccoon on that one. Anyway, all this is to say that I don’t think one should discount opossum reports from NB although, without an identifiable photo or carcass, nothing can be confirmed. I would say this species is high on the list to start turning up in NB under its own steam in the years ahead, especially as winters are becoming milder."

(Editor’s note: thank you Eric and Don for this interesting report.)

**Georges Brun shares some screenshots of the Peregrine Falcon nest on the summit of Assumption Place that caught his eye this past week.

Once again, near the same location (mouth of Halls Creek), Georges spotted a Harbour Porpoise just prior to the arrival of the Tidal Bore on the Petitcodiac River. It was more difficult to photograph because of its movement. Georges wonders if it may have had smelts on its mind.

(Editor’s note: with the increased population of fish in the Petitcodiac River, one has to wonder how many Harbour Porpoises are really present as their appearances to the water surface are brief and easily missed.)

** Leigh Eaton is having regular visits from a Black-capped Chickadee missing its tail feathers. He comments chickadees may be small but appear so tiny without tail feathers. Leigh is also getting regular visits by a Song sparrow with the same condition but so far has been unable to get a photograph to show it well.
(Editor’s note: these individuals have very possibly had an encounter with a raptor/predator and new tail feathers will regrow to replace those lost.)
Leigh also reports his Merlin app is picking up the vocalizations of a Northern Cardinal in his Riverview neighbourhood. It looks like we are finally getting a resident population of Northern Cardinals in southeastern New Brunswick to Miramichi.

**Bob Blake maintains daily weather statistics from his Second North River home including morning low temperatures, daily high temperatures, and monthly precipitation.
A table comparing those statistics of April 2023 with April 2024 is attached as Bob forwards it.
It is interesting to note that April 2024 gave us significantly more precipitation than April 2023.

2023

2024

morning temperatures

daily highs and rainfall

morning temperatures

daily highs and rainfall

-4-2 days

-3-1

-2-1

+1-3

+2-2

+3-6

+4-3

+5-2

+6-5

+7-2

+9-3

3 cms. snow

16 mms. rain

+10-1

+12-8

+16-1

+17-4

+18-4

+19-1

-5-1

-3-1

-2-1

-1-4

0-5

+1-4

+2-2

+3-2

+4-1

+5-1

+6-5

8-2

12-1

11 cms.snow

49 mms.rain

+10-1

+11-2

+12-5

+13-1

+14-1

+16-3

+17-1

+18-1

**Eric Wilson advises he is aware of two Nocturnal Owl survey routes in Miramichi that do not currently have a sponsor.

There are 10 stops. At each stop, you play a 13-minute recording from a blue track speaker. You write down which of our three owls you hear during each stop. You play the first recording 30 minutes after the official localization sunset.

Eric suggests touching base with Laura Achenbach at the contact below, so these potentially very interesting sites can be surveyed.

Laura Achenbach
Field Manager, High Elevation Landbird Program |
Gestionnaire de terrain, Programme des oiseaux forestiers de haute altitude
Birds Canada | Oiseaux Canada
902-579-4734
lachenbach@birdscanada.org
birdscanada.org | oiseauxcanada.org

** The New Brunswick environmental network publishes a list of events they are aware of happening for the month. Those events for May are listed below and you can click on any event to get more information and register if applicable.