Nature Moncton Nature News: Jan 13 2018

Nature Moncton Information Line (Saturday, January 13, 2018)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

Info Line #: 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)

**Lois Budd captured an interesting photo of three and possibly four species of waterfowl in one frame at the Cocagne Bridge on Friday. Note the BARROW'S GOLDENEYE [Garrot d'Islande] to the left – the females with their totally orange bills, the ‘piano-key’ marking on the male, and the characteristic steep forehead of this species. A male COMMON GOLDENEYE [Garrot à oeil d'or] is in the middle with more slanted forehead and no piano-key markings. To the right are two Mergansers [Harle]. The first one appears to be a female COMMON MERGANSER [Grand Harle]; the last one rather suggests a female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER [Harle huppé]. Their highlight of the day was seeing the GYRFALCON [Faucon gerfaut] at Bouctouche, getting a front-row seat of it harassing ROCK PIGEONS [Pigeon biset] to the rear of the Tim Horton’s location and Auberge Bouctouche.

**Louise Nichols took a hike on one of the Sackville trails on Friday to be rewarded with three special bird species: two GRAY JAYS [Mésangeai du Canada], a BOREAL CHICKADEE [Mésange à tête brune], and 20+ WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS [Bec-croisé bifascié]. Louise comments the Crossbills were very vocal and enjoying their day. We just commented a few days ago that Crossbills seemed to be scarce – maybe that’s about to change. Lots of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire] and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES [Sittelle à poitrine rousse] were about as well.

**Georges Brun got nice action photos, as he often does, from the walking bridge over Hall’s Creek near the Settlers’ Landing cairn by Chateau Moncton. One photo shows a CROW [Corneille] perched in the middle with a COYOTE [Coyote] off to the left and a BALD EAGLE [Pygargue à tête blanche] perched in the distant right. The Coyote appears to be in excellent condition. Soon after, he noted the SHORT-EARED OWL [Hibou des marais] perched on a stump not far from the Coyote, who seemed much more interested in potential rodent prey than the Owl. It did get approximately 100 Crows to lift from the area. Georges comments he walked the area on January 11th and saw very little evidence of rodent tunnels. A small FOX [Renard] also is roaming the area, so lots of wildlife on this marsh area.

**Little Ray's travelling Reptile Zoo is on at the Moncton Coliseum today Saturday and tomorrow Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I often wonder why this is labelled a reptile show, as there is so much more on display, with nothing taken from the wild. There are exceptionally well-delivered educational talks to help people appreciate wildlife, and is very recommended to anyone with naturalist interests.

nelson@nb.sympatico.ca

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton