Nature Moncton Nature
News
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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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**Another eastern
towhee is visiting New Brunswick.
Isaie Comeau captured an
excellent photo of a male eastern towhee as it paid a visit to Tabusintac.
(Editor’s note: this species nests further to the south of us in the US, and normally migrates a bit
further south in winter, but their visits to New Brunswick in late fall and
winter may be uncommon but regular.)
**Brian Stone joined
Nelson Poirier on an outing Saturday to the Memramcook area. At the Reid
McManus Nature Reserve, they saw a pair of hooded mergansers in the
pond, a few American tree sparrows, a group of American goldfinches, and
a large paper wasp nest. While they were observing these specimens, they
received notice that a snow goose was near the lagoon down the road
in Memramcook in the company of many Canada geese. They initially
spotted the snow goose far down the Memramcook River, but it eventually came
closer for a cooperative photo, then returned to the field beside the river and
lagoon where it was first seen. In another spot, a Wilson's snipe popped up out
of a ditch and flew past them to deeper cover in some tall grasses.
(Editor’s note: It is
interesting to note in Brian’s photos the size differential between the snow
goose and Canada goose.
It is assumed the Canada
goose would be the odd goose in the crowd in the massive snow goose migration
going through Québec at the moment.)
**Dale Pugh shares a photo
of a white-breasted nuthatch she spotted in Irishtown Nature Park on
Saturday. Dale took particular note because she could clearly see a large
back toe and nail that has occurred for some unknown reason, but the nuthatch otherwise
looks very normal and the odd toe does not seem to be causing any particular problem for
this handsome bird.
**Jane LeBlanc has had a pair of northern cardinals in her yard off and on for a week or so, but they have not seen fit to be photographed. She did catch a blue jay on her flowering witch hazel shrub which is near the suet feeder.
**Norbert Dupuis in
Memramcook reports that a large flock of evening grosbeaks arrived at his yard on
Saturday morning.
(Editor’s note: Reports of two flocks in different areas on two consecutive days are a great signal for the
winter ahead.)
**Shannon Inman got a
photo of a common snowberry shrub as a red squirrel gave her the
evil eye.
At home, John got a quick
photo of a Baltimore oriole before the sharp-shinned hawk moved in.
(Editor’s note: the
snowberry shrub retains its berries into the winter, which fruit-eating birds
forage upon; however, literature suggests it is toxic to humans.)
**NATURE MONCTON MEETING PRESENTATION
Date: November 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM
Place: Mapleton Rotary Lodge
Presenter: Brian Donovan
Trail
Camera Wildlife
NATURE
MONCTON MEETING PRESENTION
Date: November 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM
Place: Mapleton Rotary Lodge
Presenter: Brian Donovan
Trail
Camera Wildlife
The
opportunity to observe wild animals going about their daily business, just as
they would without human presence, is a beautiful privilege that well-placed trail cameras can offer.
Brian
Donovan has perfected the technique with 20 trail cameras set, which he checks
every 3 weeks, both winter and summer, at a remote section bordering the Renous
Highway in the most densely forested area of New Brunswick.
Expect to
see animals such as lynx, river otter, fishers, martens, and more in action
day and night.
Brian’s 5
years spent pursuing a forestry degree at UNB undoubtedly spurred these routine
visits to the deep woods. He has been working intensively on this project as a hobby for 6 years. He has learned a great deal of unique
information about the biology of his patrons, and he has developed a skillful
delivery to share it.
Expect 30
minutes of condensed information and 15 minutes of the most amazing video to be
recorded in New Brunswick.
This presentation
will take place at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge (weather permitting) and will be available
virtually as well at the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81345713415?pwd=cNjfKVR5WMasWHqaSykiyoVyaygVhF.1
All are
welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
SNOWBERRY. NOV 15, 2025. SHANNON INMAN
