Nature Moncton
Nature News
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well as any naturalist in New Brunswick or beyond, are invited to share their
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**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.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton