Thursday, 22 January 2026

January 22 2026

Nature Moncton Nature News

 

Clicking on the photos enlarges them for closer observation.

 

 

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 email, please address your message to the information line editor, nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

 

Please advise the editor at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com, as well as proofreader nicholsl@eastlink.ca, 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

 

 

**There are still openings for the trail camera workshop this coming Saturday. Details and registration instructions at the end of this message. Upfront tomorrow.

 

 

**Jane LeBlanc captured a female downy woodpecker enjoying her sumac berries. While she was standing watching it, a sharp-shinned hawk flew over. It didn't give Jane a chance for a photo.

 

**Tony Thomas in Fredericton reports there have been very few birds at his feeders these last 10 days. Insects are scarce but do become active when the temperature gets above about 8 C. On the 14th of January 2026, the temperature reached 12 C on his sunny deck. This awakened a male winter crane fly (Family: Trichoceridae). The larvae, maggots, live in moist/wet terrestrial biotopes: decaying leaves, manure, fungi, stored roots/tubers, and rodent burrows; the adults emerge in winter and fly in shafts of sunshine on 'warm' days. They seem to be very resistant to cold. On Jan 1 2026 the temperature dropped to -30 C, and on the 2nd to -29.5 C. On the next 'warm' day, I expect to see about a dozen males dancing (flying up and down, at 1-2 meters in a shaft of sunlight), equivalent to male birds in a lek.

 

 

 

**NATURE MONCTON WORKSHOP

How to Get the Best Use out of your Trail Camera

 

Date:                     Saturday, January 24th, at 10:00 AM

Place:                    Tankville School, 1979 Elmwood Dr., Moncton

Presenters:           Brian Donovan and Brian Coyle       

 

You might have a trail camera that is taking up space in a closet or some such place. Or maybe you would like to purchase one but are uncertain about what to buy or how to set it up. Perhaps you have a trail cam out, but you just have not been happy with the results. Well, worry no more!  Nature Moncton will be holding a workshop with two trail cam gurus: Brian Donovan and Brian Coyle.  They will show you how to get set up (both the camera and the placement of the camera) so that you can get the shots and videos you are looking for.  The workshop will start at 10 AM in the basement of the Tankville Schoolhouse. We will stop for lunch (be sure to bring a lunch) and then go outside to set up a camera (bring weather appropriate clothing).

Trail cams can let you in on parts of the natural world that you would not normally see.  Enrich your experience of nature by attending this workshop and learning how to use one!

Please register at  outandabout4nm@gmail.com as registration is limited to 20 participants.

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

 

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton




DOWNY WOODPECKER (FEMALE). JAN. 21, 2026. JANE LEBLANC








WINTER CRANE FLY. JAN 14,  2026. TONY THOMAS


WINTER CRANE FLY. JAN 14,  2026. TONY THOMAS