Nature Moncton Nature
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**Rosemonde Duguay and
Jolande St. Pierre saw a Swainson’s hawk on Saturday, Nov 22 /2025, at
11h15 at Lac Frye on Miscou Island. Rosemonde was able to photograph it.
The breeding range of this
raptor extends across the western US and southwestern Canada, but it migrates
south this time of year. It is an uncommon accidental in New Brunswick.
(Editor’s note: Pat and I and many others went to Miscou Island to see a Swainson’s hawk several years ago, not far from Lac Frye. Could it be the same bird??)
**Barb Curlew observed a white-tailed
deer stranded by the rising tides at Waterside Beach. A bald eagle was
on the rocks very close by, probably making the deer nervous. The
deer swam from rock to rock at least three times as the tide rose. Most likely,
it made it safely to shore, but the bluff is too badly undermined to risk
getting a closer view.
**Nelson Poirier joined a
Chignecto naturalists group on their annual late November birding field trip
that concentrates on the shoreline and trails of Cape Jourimain, Cape
Tormentine, Bayfield, and back to Port Elgin by route 960. Scopes were indicated
to appreciate several of the waterfowl species that breed to the north of us
and join us at this time of year. Roland Chiasson had the new version of the
Sibley app that allowed split-screen comparison to more easily identify and
differentiate female species as well as first-year immature plumaged birds. A
photo is attached of the trio of common mergansers that shows the
rear bird could be a first winter male common merganser with the pale brown
spot behind the bill being a clue (arrowed).
An abundance of berry
species was present that were attracting many American robins. Yellow-rumped
warblers were seen and heard. This warbler species is known to forage on
bayberry, with the berries conveniently clinging to the bushes overwinter. The
bayberry is a dioecious low shrub, meaning only female plants will bear fruit.
Significant-sized flocks
of pine siskin (or one busy flock) were noted with an abundance of birch
catkins to attract them to forage upon.
A sanderling was
the lone shorebird spotted.
Binoculars scanned any
birdfeeder yards passed, with the surprise of a large white bird chasing the
birdfeeder patrons about at one yard, which was quickly identified as a domestic rooster
by the skilled birding troupe!
Kerry Lee Morris-Cormier
noted the similar footwear worn by the birders, worthy of a photo!
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
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