NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS
April 27,
2024
Nature
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The live feed to the
Peregrine Falcon nest box camera can be accessed at https://www.zoodemagnetichillzoo.ca/nest-cam
**Louise Nichols
found what looked to be a pellet in the woods, just below her trail cam on
Friday. The pellet was very light weight, about four inches long, and
consisting mostly of fur and some bones. Louise broke the pellet into
four pieces and could see a small skull in one of the pieces. The skull
was about one cm. in length. The pellet was close to the trail cam,
but unfortunately, none of the videos on the trail cam revealed the creature
who left it.
In consultation with Alyre Chiasson,
his interesting reply is:
“Looks like a Short-tailed Shrew skull. See
here: https://craniatescuriosities.com/2023/08/15/short-tailed-shrew-skull-00550/
**More
Glossy Ibis!
On Friday Gordon Rattray went to the Hillsborough
wetland ponds to record specimens for the Nature New Brunswick bioblitz and
observed many birds on the water. The highlight for Gordon was the
discovery, with the assistance of another birder from Cocagne, of a single Glossy
Ibis. Many waterfowl were observed, American Wigeon, Canada
Goose, Gadwall pair, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, and
Northern Shoveler. There were Palm Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird,
Song Sparrow, and Tree Sparrow. In the plant/lichen department, Gordon
got pictures of a Maritime Sunburst Lichen, Common Tansy new
growth, and male Pussy Willow.
** John Inman comments on some of the behaviour of his birdfeeder patrons. A male Downy Woodpecker was not happy the female was enjoying the suet but soon settled down and fed in harmony. Three Northern Flickers were feeding in close quarters until a disagreement broke out.
Yolande LeBlanc in Memramcook had one that arrived a few days ago but was acting very shy but soon got over that to sample the feeder menu which surprisingly included suet as a favourite.
Aldo Dorio noticed several Bohemian Waxwings present at Hay Island on Friday and was also pleased to have a female American Kestrel in his Neguac yard.
** On Wednesday Brian Stone visited the Hillsborough Wetlands trail and
also stopped in at the Lower Coverdale lagoon to take a few photos. At Lower
Coverdale, he had his first sighting of Savannah Sparrows of the season
and also saw many male Red-winged Blackbirds. A group of several Green-winged
Teal Ducks flew past and many Ring-necked Ducks were still the predominant
patron of the lagoon. On the ground, he noted a fair number of small, dark Mining
Bees landing on the trail around the lagoon.
At Hillsborough Brian photographed the better side
of a couple of nice bright Palm Warblers. He also got Blue-winged
Teal Ducks, a Canada Goose, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a Song
Sparrow. A fearless Ruby-crowned Kinglet came close and gave him a
good examination with obvious disapproval. A small White-tailed Deer confused
Brian for a moment when he thought it was someone's loose dog. Brian's favorite
moment of the day came at the end as he was almost off the trail when a small
blue Northern Azure Butterfly decided to land close for a photo session.
This was his first one of the season.
Nature
Moncton