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10 Feb Birds at Quispamsis Today [Jim Wilson ] 10 Feb Cedar Waxwings ["kathierodger xplornet.ca" ] 10 Feb Maritimes Butterfly Atlas presentation - Monday Feb 13, Miramichi [John Klymko ] 10 Feb Grand Manan birds, inc. AMERICAN WIGEON, HOODED MERGANSER, NORTHERN HARRIER & PURPLE SANDPIPER [Roger Burrows ] 10 Feb Coopers Hawk [Beverley Schneider ] 10 Feb Red-Bellied Woodpecker ["kathierodger xplornet.ca" ] 10 Feb NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE, February 10, 2012 (Friday) [Bill Winsor ] 9 Feb Fish crow and Bohemian Waxwings [Margaret Doyle ] 9 Feb NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 9, 2012. (Thursday) [Alma White ] 9 Feb Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, Jan 30 - Feb 5, 2012 [David Christie ] 8 Feb Fundy Shore Birds [Harry Scarth ] 8 Feb looking for open waters for a Common Loon release [Pamela Novak ] 8 Feb Grand Manan birds, inc. GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, BONAPARTE'S GULL & BOHEMIAN WAXWING [Roger Burrows ] 8 Feb at home today [Joanne savage ] 8 Feb NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, February 08, 2012 (Wednesday) [Catherine ] 7 Feb Grand Manan & White Head birds, inc. HORNED GREBE, BRANT, HARLEQUIN DUCK, NORTHERN HARRIER, PURPLE SANDPIPER, DOVEKIE & SNOW BUNTING [Roger Burrows ] 7 Feb Rough-legged Hawks on Tantramar [Popma ] 7 Feb Grand Manan ferry, Feb. 7 [Laurie Murison ] 7 Feb Re: Tantramar SNOWY OWLS - Feb. 6 [Don Gibson ] 7 Feb Northern Goshawk, Northern Shrike [PeterWentzell ] 7 Feb NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 7, 2012. (Tuesday) [Alma White ] 7 Feb Tantramar SNOWY OWLS - Feb. 6 [Stuart Tingley ] 6 Feb Bohemian Waxwings [Cynthia Boucher ] 6 Feb WHITE PIGEON [Margaret Doyle ] 6 Feb Mergansers [Irene Doyle ] 6 Feb South-east NB Birds [Harry Scarth ] 6 Feb NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE, February 6, 2012 (Monday) [Bill Winsor ] 6 Feb NB Eagle Watch at Penobsquis, Grand Manan Ferry [Laurie Murison ] 5 Feb robins [Dianne Mcfarlane ] 5 Feb SACKVILLE SUNDAY [Gina ] 5 Feb Miscou -Inkerman -Four Road - Le Goulet [Frank Branch ] 5 Feb Re: Robinic hierarchy of fruits [Mary Majka ] 5 Feb NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, February 5, 2012 (Sunday) [David Christie ] 5 Feb Miscou - Inkerman - Four Road - Le Goulet [Frank Branch ] 5 Feb Carolina Wren singing [Don Gibson ] 5 Feb Re: Alcids and other waterbirds at Green's Point, Charlotte County [Todd Watts ] 5 Feb MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT [Ralph Eldridge ] 4 Feb WAXWING flock, Saturday Afternoon in Salisbury [Bill Winsor ] 4 Feb Re: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, February 4, 2012 (Saturday) [David Christie ] 4 Feb NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, February 4, 2012 (Saturday) [David Christie ] 4 Feb Towhee [Beverley Schneider ] 4 Feb Re: Mystery Flocks [Roger Burrows ] 4 Feb Re: Mystery Flocks [Harry scarth ] 4 Feb Re: Mystery Flocks ["kathierodger xplornet.ca" ] 3 Feb Re: Mystery Flocks [Mary Majka ] 3 Feb Robins and Hermit Thrush Today [Jim Wilson ] 3 Feb Mystery Flocks [Harry scarth ] 3 Feb Grand Manan birds [Roger Burrows ] 3 Feb Barrow's Goldeneye [ron m ] 3 Feb SAVANNAH SPARROW [Harry scarth ] 3 Feb Rusty Blackbirds [Harry scarth ] 3 Feb Weather Statistics Reformated [Bill Winsor ] 3 Feb NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE, February 3, 2012 (Friday) [Bill Winsor ] 3 Feb Re: Bohemian Waxwings [Becky Stewart ] 3 Feb More WT Sparrows ["fundyhiking xplornet.ca" ] 3 Feb Re: Bohemian Waxwings [Vexus vexus ] 2 Feb FW: birds at feeder [Joan Pearce ] 2 Feb Re: Bohemian Waxwings [Todd Watts ] 2 Feb Bohemian Waxwings [Harry Scarth ] 2 Feb birds at feeder [Don Gibson ] 2 Feb Birds Around Saint John Today [Jim Wilson ] 2 Feb one Robin [Margaret Doyle ] 2 Feb Turkey Vulture [Joanne savage ] 2 Feb NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 2nd 2012 (Thursday) [Alma White ] 1 Feb Robins ["kathierodger xplornet.ca" ] 1 Feb Fw: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 1, 2012. (Wednesday) [Nelson Poirier ] 1 Feb NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 1, 2012. (Wednesday) [Alma White ] 1 Feb Tonight's Maritimes Butterfly Atlas presentation in Fredericton cancelled [John Klymko ] 31 Jan Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, Jan 23-29, 2012 [David Christie ] 31 Jan Grand Manan birds, inc. HORNED GREBE [Roger Burrows ] 30 Jan Maritimes Butterfly Atlas presentation - Fredericton February 1 [John Klymko ] 30 Jan Re: Southern Wolf Island protected [Jim Wilson ] 30 Jan Re: Purple Finches [Roger Burrows ] 30 Jan Purple Finches [Laraine Townsend ] 30 Jan Re: Signs of approaching spring [Roger Burrows ] 30 Jan Signs of approaching spring [Ian Cameron ] Subject: Birds at Quispamsis Today From: Jim Wilson <jgw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:17:50 -0400 This morning was a perfect winter day. I won't say "spring", but it did suggest that the season is moving right along. Cloudless sky, sun warming things to a few degrees above zero and absolutely no wind. I took a long walk and other creatures than me were sensing the lovely conditions. Several BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES sang their early territorial "fee-bee-bee", "fee-bee-bee" call, one of our CARDINALS was in lusty song on the sunny side of our woods, two HAIRY WOODPECKERS drummed at points along the way, a wintering SONG SPARROW sang tentatively from a dense cedar hedge near Meenan's Cove, and all the local crows seemed to have more energy in their calls to one another. On my return a male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER flew across the road in front of me and landed on a nearby stub, calling several sharp notes. A report from the south. Jim Wilson NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Cedar Waxwings From: "kathierodger xplornet.ca" <kathierodger AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:34:58 -0400 We were visited by 3 Cedar Waxwings this afternoon. A first for us here. At noon today a solitary deer crossed the Belleisle Bay in front of our place. It took a diagonal path, a distance of a kilometer plus. Then, what I assume to be the same deer was seen a few minutes later crossing back and retracing the original trek. Odd behaviour being in the open and with the high volume of snow mobile traffic up and down the bay. John Rodger Kiersteadville NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Maritimes Butterfly Atlas presentation - Monday Feb 13, Miramichi From: John Klymko <klymko AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:09:00 -0800 Hello everyone,� This Monday I'll be doing a presentation at the monthly meeting of the Miramichi Naturalists Club on the Maritimes Butterfly Atlas. In my 45 minute presentation I'll provide a brief overview of the project, and an update on the results to date. All are welcome. The meeting is at 6:30pm at the Nelson Community Building, Sutton Rd, in Nelson. Cheers, John Klymko Director - Maritimes Butterfly Atlas http://accdc.com/butterflyatlas.html� jklymko AT mta.ca NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Grand Manan birds, inc. AMERICAN WIGEON, HOODED MERGANSER, NORTHERN HARRIER & PURPLE SANDPIPER From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:46:44 -0400 February 10 Castalia Feeders 08:00-09:00 3+ Mourning Doves, male Northern Flicker Castalia Beach 09:10-09:15 Common Loon, 2 Red-necked Grebes, Great Cormorant (later), 11 American Black Ducks, male Common Eider, 3 female Red-breasted Mergansers, Black Guillemot Grand Manan Bird Sanctuary 09:35-10:15 3 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 24 American Black Ducks, male Mallard, 14 Buffleheads, female Common Goldeneye, male HOODED MERGANSER (on Great Pond), female NORTHERN HARRIER, 6 PURPLE SANDPIPERS (on rocks by Great Pond stream outlet), 2+ Ring-billed Gulls Red Point & Red Point trail 10:15-11:25 Common Loon, 17 Red-necked Grebes, 4 Common Eiders, 2 Buffleheads, 15 Common Goldeneyes, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, Black Guillemot Grand Harbour 11:35-11:50 134 American Black Ducks, 34 Mallards, male MallardxAmerican Black Duck, 21 Buffleheads Ragged Point 12:05-12:10 Common Loon, 2 Red-necked Grebes, 27 American Black Ducks, female Mallard, 210 Common Eiders, 9 Long-tailed Ducks, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Black Guillemots Roger Burrows Castalia Grand Manan NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Coopers Hawk From: Beverley Schneider <drbev AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:48:21 -0400 I saw a COOPERS HAWK from the Ring Road In Fredericton North, Thursday, Feb 9. Bev Schneider Buy only worker and bird-friendly coffee. Shade-grown/ fair trade/certified coffee protects coffee workers and our bird species. One acceptable local brand is "Just Us". NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Red-Bellied Woodpecker From: "kathierodger xplornet.ca" <kathierodger AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:41 -0400 We had a Red-Bellied Woodpecker visit the feeder just now. Not sure if the same as was here before but last sighting was Jan. 15 Nice to see!! John Rodger Kiersteadville NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE, February 10, 2012 (Friday) From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:10:07 -0800 NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE   Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transcribed by: Bill Winsor Info Line #: 384-NEWS (6397)   To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor.   For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries, contact Shirley Hunt .   Friday Morning, February 10, 2012   ** Gary McLean spotted an interesting imprint in his Riverview yard on Thursday Morning.  It is very suggestive of the imprint of a raptor that made a plunge into the snow to take an under the snow rodent such as a vole or shrew.  The shrew may now be classed as an insectivore; however it readily tunnels under the snow to bird feeder sites to partake of seeds.  There are a lot of these harmless mammals under the snow at our bird feeder sites.  Gary has heard the vocalization of a GREAT HORNED OWL [Grand-duc d'Amérique] in previous years and again recently near a forested area by his home; so Great Horned Owl would be a strong possibility to have made the large imprint; referred to as a sitzmark by some guide books.  Gary took some photos and webmaster Bob Childs has placed them on the website; take a look at http://naturemoncton.org under “Hot Shots.”  It shows the deep imprint of the body, plus one wing suggesting that the bird made a sharp turn while striking.   ** Brian Coates responds to the recent comments the bird being spotted over the Moncton – Riverview Marsh area that had the suggestion of a dark morph Gyrfalcon.  Brian recalls the Gyrfalcon that stayed with us some time just before Christmas in 1991 and into the winter of 1992.  It liked to perch on a pole behind the former Fire Station in Riverview.  Brian sends a photo that he took of that bird on that pole in 1992.  Take a look at that photo at http://naturemoncton.org under “Hot Shots.”    ** There’s been a lot of mention of AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Amérique] and Bohemian Waxwing activity at the yard crab-apple tree of Susan Atkinson.  I dropped by Susan’s yard on Thursday and boy what a show.  When I stopped it was all Robins and lots of them.  Yet this tree is still loaded with fruit so the buffet will continue for a time yet.  The birds were feeding heavily on fruit that had dropped to the ground and that still cling to the tree.  Susan’s home is at 29 Courteney Street in Pinehurst sub-division behind the Moncton Coliseum and the tree is in the front yard adjacent to the street; the birds are not spooked by a vehicle.  Susan is keeping some of the apples aside for use in the event of a storm as is forecasted so a ground supply can be put back out.  I noticed a grouping of red rosehips beside the tree they were untouched; it is very obvious that this fruit is not considered choice cuisine.   ** George Brun comments that he watched three BALD EAGLES [Pygargue à tête blanche], two adults and one immature, flying in the area of the north end of the Jones Farm in Upper Coverdale on Thursday.  The adults were in pursuit of Gulls in that area.   He also noted a few American Robins in the area of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 161 Salisbury Road on Thursday morning.   Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton   Please, consider the environment before printing this e-mail         NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Fish crow and Bohemian Waxwings From: Margaret Doyle <judo AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:17:38 -0400 Hello About the FISH CROWS in Rockland in USA is that in Maine And went I went out today I heard some birds that were not of every day sound and I looked up and there they were a few doz of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS A report from the North Margaret Doyle NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 9, 2012. (Thursday) From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:22:25 -0400 Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : Alma White Info Line # : 384-NEWS (6397)> To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries, contact Shirley Hunt at 386-8060. Thursday morning, February 9, 2012. **Francis Leblanc in Memramcook was very pleased to add a handsome pair of PILEATED WOODPECKERS [Grand pic] to his yard list on Wednesday. They stayed side by side until some resident AMERICAN CROWS [Corneille d'Am�rique] launched a lively protest of their presence. Francis felt that they seemed to be acting like a pair but thought it may be early however I think the PILEATED WOODPECKER does tend to protect a territory all year with the same mate so no doubt thoughts of the approaching spring are on their mind. **Catherine Johnson points out that if the skies are clear tonight check out the reddish-orange object MARS that will be to the left of the full moon at approximately 10pm. MARS rises in the East around 9pm. It was very striking in last night's clear sky. **Dale Gaskin again spotted the PEREGRINE FALCON [Faucon p�lerin] pair perched on the big A near the summit of Assumption Place on Wednesday morning at approximately 9.45am. The bright morning made for great observations. Dale also comments his feeder yard is active with most of the regulars but like several others he would like to have the EUROPEAN STARLING [�tourneau sansonnet] go elsewhere. ** Stella Leblanc reports she is seeing 16 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur bor�al] in her neighbour's Bouctouche yard. Stella's SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur] continues to be present and she has one AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Am�rique] that is surprisingly taking sunflower seeds that drop to the ground and an occasional feed of blueberries Stella puts out. **I have several robins visiting my feeder yard daily. The enjoy very much the water offering but so far they have turned their beaks up at the blueberry and grape buffet available. I am suspecting that that will change if the wild fruit crop gets sparse in the area which must be soon. ** Susan Richards in Taylor Village reports on the behaviour of a pair of RING-NECKED PHEASANTS [Faisan de Colchide] in her yard. She has seen the male a few times however a female came by this morning and the male appeared looking very tall, with erect tufts of feathers on the head. Sounds like he is getting some spring thoughts on mind. **I mentioned a thornless English hawthorn tree a few weeks ago that had a good supply of bright fruit on it aside a side entrance to Heritage Court. I was by there on Wednesday and the fruit is very still intact, seemingly not touched by birds. It can't be a fruit of choice. Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, Jan 30 - Feb 5, 2012 From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 00:18:15 -0400 From Maine Birds here are parts of Doug Hitchcox's transcript of the Maine Audubon Bird Alert. The entire transcript can be accessed at , and . -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert Reporting Period: January 30 - February 5, 2012 Area: State of Maine Compilers: Doug Hitchcox Some Top Species Mentioned: Greater White-fronted Goose - continuing, along Fore River, Portland Red-headed Woodpecker - imm. continuing in Warren Fish Crow - continuing in Rockland Varied Thrush - see central Maine Black-throated Blue Warbler - see Downeast Lark Sparrow - again, Jan. 2&5 at Cape Elizabeth 'Oregon' Dark-eyed Junco - reported at Portland Jan. 3 [details of western areas omitted] Penobscot Bay The adult BLACK-HEADED GULL being seen around the MV Monhegan dock in Rockland was last reported on the 31st. Two FISH CROWS continue to be reported in downtown Rockland behind the Lincoln Street School. Central Maine A VARIED THRUSH has been visiting private feeders in Turner for several weeks. A small flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS was seen from Fountain Street in Bangor on the 1st. Downeast A dozen BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were reported from Cooper Street in Machias on the 1st. A large flock of around 200 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were noted near the Washington County Community College on the 4th. A DOVEKIE was found in Manset, near the Hinckley Boat Yard, on January 23rd and continued until the 31st. A deceased BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was found in a yard in Northeast Harbor on January 29th. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Fundy Shore Birds From: Harry Scarth <hhs AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 17:43:29 -0400 On Tuesday, Joanne Savage, Merv Cormier and I worked along the Fundy Shore from Pocologan to Black's Harbour and Green Point. Among the highlights were HORNED GREBE at two locations, a GLAUCOUS GULL at the Black's Harbour treatment plant, CEDAR WAXWINGS at the Black's Harbour convenience store, three GREAT CORMORANTS (showing the white breeding patch) and a BONAPART'S GULL at Green Point. We were at Green Point between high tide and 2 hours past high tide and found COMMON and RED-THROATED LOONS, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and good numbers of COMMON EIDERS. MURRES were scarce with one COMMON MURRE photographed and possibly one THICK-BILLED MURRE seen. AMERICAN ROBINS were observer in two or three different locations. Today, Merv Cormier and I birded around St. Martins. We found three NORTHERN SHRIKES (two at the corner of Rte 111 and the Shore Road and one marsh-side at the mouth of Tynemouth Creek. SNOW BUNTINGS were also present here. We also located an AMERICAN PIPIT at the extreme end of the barrier gravel bar westward from the town of St. Martins. Also noted on the bar was a particularly yellowish SAVANNAH SPARROW braving the the cold February winds and one flock of SNOW BUNTINGS. BOREAL CHICKADEES were found at every wooded location where we stopped. The only winter FINCHES noted were a few PINE SISKINS. Small numbers of AMERICAN ROBINS were seen along the shore in the St. Martins area. Hank Scarth Rothesay, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: looking for open waters for a Common Loon release From: Pamela Novak <pam.novak AT XPLORNET.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 16:35:20 -0400 Hello all, I am hoping someone can tell me if there are any open waters either on the Fundy side or along the Strait around the Tantramar region or Southeastern NB that are accessible. Atlantic Wildlife Institute has received in a Common Loon that was stranded in the Moncton area. The bird is okay physically, just grounded itself. I need to find open waters that I can get right up to for release, and a big enough runway of water for the bird to take flight. Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks! Pam Novak Atlantic Wildlife Institute www.atlanticwildlife.ca NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Grand Manan birds, inc. GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, BONAPARTE'S GULL & BOHEMIAN WAXWING From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 15:30:31 -0400 February 8 Castalia Feeders 09:00-10:00 & 13:15-13:45 male Ring-necked Pheasant, 7 American Tree, 4 Song and 3 White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, female Northern Cardinal Bancroft Point 11:00-11:10 2 Common Loons, 150 American Black Ducks, 140 Common Eiders, 7 Long-tailed Ducks, 9 Common Goldeneyes, male Red-breasted Merganser Ragged Point 11:15-11:40 2 Common Loons, 2 Horned & 10 Red-necked Grebes, 190 Common Eiders, 2 Black Scoters, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 10 Common Goldeneyes, female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (first of winter by itself close to Woodwards Cove), 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Black Guillemots Long Eddy Point 14:10-14:20 350+ Black-legged Kittiwakes, 3+ BONAPARTE'S GULLS, 11+ Iceland Gulls, 78+ Razorbills (likely other alcid species present on water but too windy to 'scope them) Whale Cove & Road 14:30-14:40 53 Red-necked Grebes (wintering in area), 20 Mallards, male GREEN-WINGED TEAL (on small roadside pond with MALL), male Red-breasted Merganser, 83+ European Starlings, first 28 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS of winter Roger Burrows Castalia Grand Manan NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: at home today From: Joanne savage <davidsavage AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:10:00 -0400 2 Pileated Woodpeckers stopped briefly on our property early this morning. Downey, Hairy and Red-bellied are regulars. The Rusty Blackbirds continue to visit several times a day as do: 3 Chipping Sparrows, 5 American Tree Sparrows, Amer Goldfinch, Blue Jays, 1 Pine Siskin, Northern Cardinals, Red and White-breasted Nuthatch, a multiiude of Mourning Doves and too many E Starlings. A Sharp-shinned Hawk is noted at times. One day last week it was seen in pursuit of a Mourning Dove. I think the outcome for the Dove was good as a Crow was noted to be in heavy pursuit of the Hawk. 3 [?4] Turkey Vultures are presently putting on a very nice show overhead. Joanne Savage Quispamsis NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, February 08, 2012 (Wednesday) From: Catherine <johnson2 AT XPLORNET.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 10:49:08 -0400 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by: Catherine Johnson Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries contact Shirley Hunt . Wednesday morning, February 08, 2012 Anne Marsch and Wendy Sullivan checked out the Riverview Marsh area on Tuesday. They noted 100+ MALLARDS [Canard colvert] in the area but were pleased to spot 2 male AMERICAN WIGEONS [Canard d'Am�rique] and 1 NORTHERN PINTAIL [Canard pilet] in a feeder yard not far from the baseball field. They also checked out the Dobson Trail to find 1 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle � poitrine blanche] at one of the feeders and noted a lone AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Am�rique] at 4 different locations during their rounds of the Riverview area. Wendy has a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle � poitrine rousse] enjoying her creative upside down suet feeder. I�m anxious to hear about that feeder, if it happens to really work at deflecting EUROPEAN STARLINGS [�tourneau sansonnet] . I�ve not been able to find or devise one that my STARLINGS can�t quickly figure out especially if there is any peanut butter in the blend. Anne comments that her 7-11 BLUE JAYS [Geai bleu] are doing a lot of head bobbing and making different noises the past few days. They tend to sit in PINE trees close together and occasionally chase each other. Susan Atkinson comments that her FLOWERING CRAB tree is still supporting a big flock of mainly ROBINS with help from BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur bor�al]. The MERLIN [Faucon �merillon] continues to monitor the activity. Susan comments some of the ROBINS are now after the berries of some cultivated AMERICAN HOLLY in her yard. Web-master Bob Childs has added some SNOWY OWL [Harfang des neiges] photos Sterling Marsh got on Monday on the lively Tantramar Marsh. Check them out at www.naturemoncton.org under �Hot Shots�. Several folks are having or have had ROBINS and or WAXWINGS find FLOWERING CRAB trees become very popular fare. As a point of interest can any of those folks recall the actual variety of FLOWERING CRAB they originally planted? It strikes me the ones with smaller fruit tend to be the most popular with birds, but that observation is purely antidotal. Brian Coates, a former Nature Moncton member who lives in Kent, England, taps into the Information Line and leaves some comments on reflections of his bird feeding yard on the Mollins Rd. near Salisbury. Brian always seemed to get PINE GROSBEAKS [Durbec des sapins] each winter whether anyone else was getting them or not for some reason. He usually had 10-12 as regulars and one year up to 46. EVENING GROSBEAKS [Gros-bec errant] were always regular winter clients varying in number with the year. He also seemed to have a NORTHERN SHRIKE [Pie-gri�che grise] that would arrive in November to be seen checking the menu a few times a week all winter. I recall Brian�s reports and often wondered if it wasn�t likely the same birds coming back each winter. I suspect it happens a lot more than we realize. My PINE WARBLER [Paruline des pins] continues to be regular at my own Moncton feeder yard. This bird would appear to be a first year female from its very muted plumage. I�ve been thinking this bird should start to get into brighter plumage soon but there seems to be no change over the past month. It tends to travel with the AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] and when among them can be surprisingly hard to spot as it goes to the sunflower chips with them. However is easy to spot when it hits the peanut butter which I have to keep a lobster wire enclosure to stave off marauding STARLINGS. They don�t seem to pay much attention to the peanuts but anything with peanut butter in it they can get at brings on hoards of them. The upside down box arrangements just don�t seem to meet the challenge from my STARLINGS and sure would like to come up with something the larger birds like HAIRY WOODPECKERS [Pic chevelu] could enjoy the peanut butter laced suet without STARLINGS overtaking it. Nelson Poirier, Nature Moncton NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Grand Manan & White Head birds, inc. HORNED GREBE, BRANT, HARLEQUIN DUCK, NORTHERN HARRIER, PURPLE SANDPIPER, DOVEKIE & SNOW BUNTING From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:49:00 -0400 FEBRUARY 5 Castalia Feeders 07:50-09:05 male Ring-necked Pheasant, male Northern Flicker, Northern Cardinal pair, 32 American Goldfinches Long Eddy Point 14:15-14:45 67 Black-legged Kittiwakes, 3 Iceland Gulls, 2 Razorbills, DOVEKIE, Black Guillemot Whale Cove 14:50-15:00 53 Red-necked Grebes (tight flock: high count for this location), 3 Common Eiders, male Red-breasted Merganser, immature Iceland Gull FEBRUARY 7 Ingalls Head 09:50-10:00 female Common Eider, 2 Black Scoters, female Long-tailed Duck (again on floating platform), 6 Buffleheads, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers White Head Ferry 10:00-10:30 4 Common Loons, HORNED GREBE, 72 American Black Ducks, 3 Common Eiders, male Black, 14 Surf & 9 White-winged Scoters, 48 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Black Guillemots White Head Island 10:40-12:40 34 Great & 2 Double-crested Cormorants (Gull Rocks), 76 American Black Ducks (Long Point Beach), 4 Mallards (Village Beach), 129 Common Eiders, 96 HARLEQUINS (28 Sheep Rock Cove, 20 Langmaid Cove, 48 Long Point Beach), 18 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 White-winged & 4 Black Scoters, female Bufflehead, 9 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 immature Bald Eagles, female NORTHERN HARRIER, 2 PURPLE SANDPIPERS (Sheep Rock Cove), subadult Ring-billed Gull, 3 Black Guillemots, 5 Mourning Doves, Red-breasted Nuthatch, 6 American Robins White Head Ferry 13:00-13:30 15 Great & 3 Double-crested Cormorants, 18 BRANTS, 4 American Black Ducks, 2 Common Eiders, 20 Long-tailed Ducks, 14 Surf & 2 White-winged Scoters, 11 Black Guillemots Castalia Marsh 13:40-14:25 260 American Black Ducks, 9 Mallards, 2 female Common & 7 female Red-breasted Mergansers, adult Ring-billed Gull, 24 SNOW BUNTINGS About half of the adult Great Cormorants at both Gull Rocks and the Ferry Reefs were in breeding plumage with the white thigh patches very visible. Roger Burrows Castalia Grand Manan NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Rough-legged Hawks on Tantramar From: Popma <popma AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:31:40 -0400 When Ruth Miller and I did our 5 year winter survey of life on the Tantramar Marsh 2000-2004 we only had 1 or 2 times that numbers of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS resembled what is being reported now. There is seemingly a recent build up that does not correspond to the amount of snow, which has also increased since January. A freeze/thaw winter like the one we have had is not unheard of either. Certainly over the 50 or so years of the Christmas Bird Counts data like this was collected occasionally but not consistently like these last few weeks. So it appears something unusual is going on. The only explanation I have thought of is that the increase in Rough-Legged Hawks (and Meadow Voles?) is somehow connected with the current wind farm construction on the Amherst side of the marsh. I would like to hear other ideas too. Kathy P Sackville NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Grand Manan ferry, Feb. 7 From: Laurie Murison <gmwhale AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:32:34 -0400 Feb. 7. Sightings from ferry at 7:30 from Grand Manan to Blacks Harbour and the 1:30 ferry from Blacks Harbour to Grand Manan. Lots of razorbill activity today stretched right across the ferry route from Grand Manan to Blacks Harbour on both trips. There was also a mixed skein of 4 female eiders, 2 common murres and 35 razorbills, all keeping up with each other. No dovekies today. Near Pea Point, there were 3 great cormorants with one sporting the white flank patches of breeding plumage (all the other bird species seen today were still in non-breeding plumage), a common loon and a flock of herring and greater black-backed gulls. I expected to see eiders but none were on the side of the ferry that I was on. There was a single harbour porpoise on the way to Blacks Harbour and a pod of 8 on the return to Grand Manan. Laurie Murison Grand Manan, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Tantramar SNOWY OWLS - Feb. 6 From: Don Gibson <gibsondg AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:19:35 -0400 Given the good numbers of Rough-legged Hawks in the Tantramar area it is a bit surprising how few there are at Sheffield-Jemseg. I have tallied hawks there 16 times since November 1. On December 10 I was able to find three Rough-legged Hawks but on all other days I have only been able to see one, or none. Usually there have been two or three Red-tailed Hawks present. One Northern Harrier was observed on February 4. The fields have been essentially bare until the past couple of weeks and even now there may be only 15 cm of snow. The main factor affecting numbers is usually food supply, in this case probably Meadow Voles. I have no idea of the state of the Meadow Vole population there. I would be interested in comments. Please share with NATURENB. Don Gibson ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stuart Tingley" To: Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 9:33 AM Subject: Tantramar SNOWY OWLS - Feb. 6 >I spent about an hour along the High Marsh Road and Goose Lake Road near >Sackville in early afternoon yesterday and was able to spot 2 SNOWY OWLS, >about a kilometer apart. The first one was pointed out to me by Sterling >Marsh and was posing atop a fencepost on the north side of the High Marsh >Road just a couple of hundred meters east of the covered bridge. Coming >from Upper Sackville: after driving through the covered bridge watch on >your right for a fallen down barn. The Snowy Owl was directly across the >road (on your left) from this barn and was on the fenceline which is >parallel to the road and about 100 meters back from the road. > > The second SNOWY OWL was best seen by turning up the Goose Lake Road > (which is off the High Marsh Road, just east of the covered bridge) and > driving for perhaps one kilometer to a spot where there are a couple of > tall birch trees (and one spruce) on either side of the road and a > partially open canal running under the road. Stop here and look off to > your right (east) to the nearest fenceline a few hundred meters away. The > Snowy Owl was perched atop one of these fenceposts. > > Driving the Jolicure and High Marsh Roads between Jolicure and Upper > Sackville I saw a minimum of 15 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and 3 RED-TAILED > HAWKS. I'm sure a careful survey of the full extent of the Tantramar > Marshes on both sides of the NB-NS border would turn up a minimum of 50 > Rough-legs and probably many more! > > Good Birding, > > Stu Tingley > Shediac, NB > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Northern Goshawk, Northern Shrike From: PeterWentzell <pgwentzell AT EASTLINK.CA> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:13:40 -0400 This morning we watched a juvenile Northern Goshawk, Northern Shrike, two Bluejays, a few Chickadees perched together in our back yard plum tree with feeder. A few Goldfinch were closely watching nearby. There was little commotion. The Goshawk has been present the past few days hunting pheasant (successfully). This is the first sighting in our yard for the Northern Shrike but we have seen it a few times recently on the wires at the beginning of the Midway Rd. near the Harvey and Riverside -Albert corner. Sybil Wentzell Harvey, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 7, 2012. (Tuesday) From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:54:48 -0400 Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : Alma White Info Line # : 384-NEWS (6397)> To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries, contact Shirley Hunt at 386-8060. Tuesday morning, February 7, 2012. **Margaret Murray reports her brother, Ralph Teed, who lives on Kingsway Cresc. in Moncton had a combo of approximately 50 AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Am�rique] and 30 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur bor�al] to feast on the clinging fruit of a crabapple tree in his yard on Monday morning. The robins and waxwings seemed to be enjoying the fruit supply they are finding in the Moncton area as much as we residents are enjoying their visits. Margaret also reports that the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER [Pic � t�te rouge] that was periodically visiting the feeder yard of Charlie and Carol Kelly who live near the start of the Scotch Settlement Road near the Mountain View School is still appearing in their yard on an irregular basis. This would be one of the few that were reported earlier in the season that continue to be present. I haven't heard an update recently on the one at John Inman's place on the Mary's Point Road. **Georges Brun spotted a large brown bird in flight over the marsh area between Point Park and the Chateau Moncton. He saw the bird looking from the Riverview Marsh at Point Park from the ball field area. Georges was able to capture some documentary photos at a distance and it does appear this bird has a very stiff wing gate that would have the possibility suggesting dark morph GYRFALCON [Faucon gerfaut] so it would be very indicative to monitor this area closely to see if this bird can be relocated to confirm what species it may be. **Louis-�mile Cormier and Richard Peron paid a visit to Fundy NP on Monday. They witnessed a rather disturbing event in the area of the swimming pool in Dickson Brook. Over the period of 1� to 2 hours they witnessed 15 to 20 bats flying about area in sub-zero temperatures. This does suggest these bats were probably out trying to feed to survive very potentially due to the "White-nose" syndrome fungal decease that had hit the bat population in some parts of NB. that could be very serious for the future of our native bats. They also witnessed three AMERICAN CROWS [Corneille d'Am�rique] actually take a bat in flight and one SHARP-SHINNED HAWK [�pervier brun] do the same. A very unfortunate scenario playing out. **Yet another great report from the Tantramar Marsh. Roger Leblanc and Alan Clavette paid a visit there on Monday afternoon very quickly to spot 2 SNOWY OWLS [Harfang des neiges]. These two birds were in flight at the same time and were seen flying from the Goose Lane Road area towards the High Marsh Road where they settled down on hay bales. Roger comments that he does not recall seeing so many ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS [Buse pattue] in that area as he has noted this year. On Monday morning Roger and Alain went the Westmoreland-Albert Waste Management Facility off the Berry Mills Road. Roger had been there during the Christmas Bird Count and again in January and felt that there were up to 2000 more GULLS than there were earlier, noting this is an excellent opportunity to observe gulls in there various stages of maturity in one spot. ICELAND GULLS [Go�land arctique], HERRING GULLS [Go�land argent�], and GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS [Go�land marin] were, as expected, the predominant species however it was nice to pick out GLAUCOUS GULLS [Go�land bourgmestre] among them, two of these being adult mature birds and one immature. Also keeping an eye on the activity were 15 BALD EAGLES [Pygargue � t�te blanche] which were down a bit in number from what Roger had noted there earlier and also some RED-TAILED HAWKS [Buse � queue rousse]. Two interesting spots to visit for a day on the birding trail. **Keven Renton notes their flock of SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] to their Stilesville feeder yard has now swelled to approximately 40, a few robins are still patrolling, a PILEATED WOODPECKER [Grand pic] is in the immediate area and Kevin also comments the NORTHERN SHRIKE [Pie-gri�che grise] came by their yard recently was successful in taking a EUROPEAN STARLING [�tourneau sansonnet] which was a real trophy for a SHRIKE. Kevin rather wishes that it would return to help itself to the less than welcome group of STARLINGS. I suspect a few others would would like to have the employment of a trained SHRIKE to repel STARLINGS. **Web-master Bob Childs has placed some over-under-inside photos of the fresh CABBAGE-WHITE BUTTERFLY Kevin Renton found in their Stilesville home last week. Take a look at under "Hotshots". Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Tantramar SNOWY OWLS - Feb. 6 From: Stuart Tingley <stubirdnb AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:33:12 -0400 I spent about an hour along the High Marsh Road and Goose Lake Road near Sackville in early afternoon yesterday and was able to spot 2 SNOWY OWLS, about a kilometer apart. The first one was pointed out to me by Sterling Marsh and was posing atop a fencepost on the north side of the High Marsh Road just a couple of hundred meters east of the covered bridge. Coming from Upper Sackville: after driving through the covered bridge watch on your right for a fallen down barn. The Snowy Owl was directly across the road (on your left) from this barn and was on the fenceline which is parallel to the road and about 100 meters back from the road. The second SNOWY OWL was best seen by turning up the Goose Lake Road (which is off the High Marsh Road, just east of the covered bridge) and driving for perhaps one kilometer to a spot where there are a couple of tall birch trees (and one spruce) on either side of the road and a partially open canal running under the road. Stop here and look off to your right (east) to the nearest fenceline a few hundred meters away. The Snowy Owl was perched atop one of these fenceposts. Driving the Jolicure and High Marsh Roads between Jolicure and Upper Sackville I saw a minimum of 15 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS. I'm sure a careful survey of the full extent of the Tantramar Marshes on both sides of the NB-NS border would turn up a minimum of 50 Rough-legs and probably many more! Good Birding, Stu Tingley Shediac, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Bohemian Waxwings From: Cynthia Boucher <Cynthia_Boucher AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 22:18:53 -0400 Driving home from Moncton this afternoon via the Salisbury Road, Rick and I noticed a flock of approximately 60-80 Bohemian waxwings around #600. This was very exciting as it was our very first sighting of this bird, ever. We were fortunate enough to also see 5-6 American Robins in the same location. We had an opportunity to snap several photos in order to make a positive identification of the Waxwings. Continuing our journey home, we saw a Bald Eagle flying over the Salisbury Road at approximately #1000 near the FairHaven Funeral Home. Cynthia Boucher Rick Williams Boundary Creek, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: WHITE PIGEON From: Margaret Doyle <judo AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:08:25 -0400 Hello the white pigeon that I had found at the other end of the city I saw it in my own yard with some other pigeons at noon time A report from the North Margaret Doyle Campbellton NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Mergansers From: Irene Doyle <snobunting AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:04:53 -0400 At the Campbellton Water Sewage lagoon today there were 9 male Common Mergansers and one female along with only 3 Black ducks and a few gulls. Irene -------------------------------------------------------- When you have a minute check out my websites www.restimuse.org http://restigouche.net http://www.atholville.net http://www.restigouche.net/mysite http://stfidele.restigouche.net http://www.pierredamours.com http://johanne.restigouche.net http://www.ristigouchesudest.ca http://www.irene-doyle-family.restigouche.net http://genealogy.restigouche.net http://gloucester.restigouche.net NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: South-east NB Birds From: Harry Scarth <hhs AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:03:50 -0400 Carolyn and I had three excellent days of birding between Rothesay, Moncton, Tantramar, Cape Tormentine as well as northern Nova Scotia. On Friday, we found several flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS at virtually all open rural locations including Norton, Gorge Road and Indian Mountain Road. Already mentioned were the great flocks of MALLARDS at Penobsquis (seen again in smaller on Sunday at a closer range, enabling positive identification), a SAVANNAH SPARROW, SONG SPARROWS and a RED-TAILED HAWK just south of Sussex on Rte 121. On Saturday, EVENING GROSBEAKS were noted in the Renton's feeder yard in Stilesville. As already noted by other reporters, the Tantramar Marsh provided superb observations of 14 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, one RED-TAILED HAWK, one BALD-EAGLE and numerous SNOW BUNTINGS. Quite surprisingly, given the location and their scarcity in recent years, there was a troop of HOUSE SPARROWS at the corner of the High Marsh Road and Church Street. On Donald Harper Road, a flock of what we first presumed to be SNOW BUNTINGS crossed the road in front of us and then wheeled behind us and from which two birds dropped down on to the road. They proved to be HORNED LARKS, our first of the season. On Sunday, in northern Nova Scotia, we found EVENING GROSBEAKS and PINE GROSBEAKS as well as excellent views of BARROW'S GOLDENEYES and COMMON MERGANSERS. Back in New Brunswick, on the UPPER CAPE ROAD we saw our largest flock of SNOW BUNTINGS numbering at least 200 individuals. A RED-TAILED HAWK was also present. One of our target birds for the weekend was a NORTHERN SHRIKE. Although we logged many hours over three days in typical habitat for the specie, we were unable to find even one. Frank Branch reported four over the weekend on the Acadian Peninsula and the Renton's in Stilesville had one as well - perhaps we shall see some more birds in the southern part of the province before long. Hank and Carolyn Scarth Rothesay, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE, February 6, 2012 (Monday) From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT yahoo.ca> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 06:50:20 -0800 NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE   Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transcribed by: Bill Winsor Info Line #: 384-NEWS (6397)   To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor.   For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries, contact Shirley Hunt .   Monday Morning, February 6, 2012   ** We all regret to hear the very sudden passing of Cameron Patterson on Friday, Cameron’s presence at Nature Moncton Events was always a pleasant addition.  Cameron shared his love of nature with his family at an early age; many will know a product of that with his daughter Deanna Gadd, who is very active with the Miramichi Naturalist Club and beyond.  Cameron will be missed but fondly remembered.  Cameron’s funeral will be held at St. James Anglican Church, 101 Fairview Drive in Moncton at 2:00 PM on Tuesday.   ** Two great reports for the Tantramar March on Sunday.  Dale Gadkin spotted a SNOWY OWL [Harfang des neiges] on the southside of the Goose Lake Road; it was flying easterly above an old barn in that area in early afternoon.    Norm and Gilles Belliveau were in the Tantramar area in the afternoon to have more nice observations.  Norn had heard of Cardinals on Church Street, a street that leads to the High Marsh Road; sure enough they were able to spot a female NORTHERN CARDINAL [Cardinal rouge] at a feeder in the Civic #28 and #34 area at the ninety degree corner there.   Proceeding on to the High Marsh Road they spotted a Snowy Owl in the area of the Goose Lake Road; very possibly the same one Dale Gaskin had spotted earlier.  On proceeding down the High Marsh Road and just as they approached the corral area, another Snowy Owl was spotted in flight.  However that was not all, further down the Marsh Road at the last barn on the right yet another Snowy Owl was spotted.  Norm points out that these were three different Snowy Owls.  Snowy Owl spotting so far this winter has been periodic and occasional on the Tantramar, however with the Belliveaus’ and Dale’s observations on Sunday that has changed.  As well, Norn and Gilles spotted a SHORT-EARED OWL [Hibou des marais] at approximately 5:45 PM from the High Marsh Road and a good number of RED-TAILED HAWKS [Buse à queue rousse] and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS [Buse pattue].  The food supply on the Tantramar must be excellent this winter.   Norm also updates on the HERMIT THRUSH [Grive solitaire] that he had coming to his feeder yard, at his Scoudouc home.  He was seeing it daily until Friday when the storm hit but has not seen it on Saturday and Sunday.   ** Dale Gaskin enjoyed a second interesting raptor observation on Sunday; at 11:45 AM he spotted a PEREGRINE FALCON [Faucon pèlerin] perched on top of the nest-box that was erected on Assumption Place last winter.  This does not meant that they are about to use the provided nest-box but surly suggests that they may be developing a comfort level with it and hopefully have it in mind as a housekeeping possibility.   ** Judi Berry-Steeves joins the group that are having AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Amérique] come by their yards to check out the fare.  Judi noted a flock of six in her neighbours’ yard on Saturday and on Sunday the same number checked out her own Canterbury Street yard in Riverview.   ** I will be making a presentation to the Moncton Fish and Game Group at the Centennial Park Rotary Lodge at 7:00 PM tonight, February 6th, on “Listening to Mother; Mother Nature that is”.  I’m sure the Group would welcome anyone who might wish to come to the presentation, which usually gets underway at 7:15 PM.  The Rotary Lodge in Centennial Park is also one of the three interesting locations found for a potential move for the Nature Moncton Meeting location.   Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton   Please, consider the environment before printing this e-mail         NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NB Eagle Watch at Penobsquis, Grand Manan Ferry From: Laurie Murison <gmwhale AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 10:22:20 -0400 Maybe that was Harvey who was parked on the side of the road with the flashers going at Penobsquis at about 5 pm on Sunday. I was driving back from Halifax and had the sun in my eyes but I could still see probably 20 eagles, some sitting, some in flight beside the highway plus other birds and a flock that was in the distance on the opposite side of the highway - all within the span of a few seconds. If you can't afford to go to Nova Scotia for their Eagle Watch it is certainly an interesting substitute but there must be a safer place to watch than the highway? The westbound lane is definitely the better spot to see the birds close up. I did see 2 adult eagles the day before from the eastbound lanes. Although there were flurries on Saturday (Feb. 4) when I crossed on the Grand Manan ferry, I did see 10 dovekies, 1 razorbill and 20+ black-legged kittiwakes as the more notable seabirds. There was another small gull species (mostly black head) among the kittiwakes. I also saw a fleeting glimpse of a large whale but didn't see it well enough to identify to species. Fin whales are likely but humpbacks have also been seen in the winter in the Bay, rarely for right whales but there is a late January record. Laurie Murison Grand Manan, NB ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gina" To: Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 9:51 PM Subject: SACKVILLE SUNDAY ........ The usual explosion of Eagles, Gulls, Crows and Ravens as we passed the compost site at Penobsquis. Harey McLeod Hampton NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: robins From: Dianne Mcfarlane <dianne.mcfarlane AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 18:01:01 -0800 Two robins landed today in the sumac tree for awhile. First time that I seen them this year . Yesterday a northern shrike stopped by No luck here Dianne McFarlane Waterford NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: SACKVILLE SUNDAY From: Gina <lyons AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 21:51:47 -0400 Gina and I made a quick trip to Sackville on Sunday to see a grand-daughter at the university. As we left in the afternoon we saw some of the Robins people have reported there. About 25 were jazzing around between the heating plant and the Drew Nursing Home. They were eating crab apples, but probably not for long because they have cleaned up most of them. We also made a run across the High Marsh Road, hoping perhaps for a Snowy Owl, and were rewarded by at least five and perhaps six Rough-legged hawks. The usual explosion of Eagles, Gulls, Crows and Ravens as we passed the compost site at Penobsquis. Harey McLeod Hampton NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Miscou -Inkerman -Four Road - Le Goulet From: Frank Branch <frankb AT NB.AIBN.COM> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 14:10:06 -0400 I forgot to mention a Black-backed Woodpecker ( Pic a dos noir ) who came in and landed on a utility pole right in front of us while we were looking at the owls. What a great day, Frank NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Robinic hierarchy of fruits From: Mary Majka <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 14:04:56 -0400 Hi Fred and Aleta Nice to hear from you and to know you are following nature developments in our corner of the country from your Ontario home I enjoyed your observations of "under -documented evolution" of fruits in winter time in particular as related to Robins (which are very numerous, as you know, this winter. ) It is true, we never think this way ! Only speculating about the taste or the nutritional value of those fruits (In my case, the speculation whether it may not be the length of freezing that increases the palatability.) Our Mountain Ash crop was very good but they are long gone now ! In any case, from now on I will think about your very interesting information every time I pass winter fruits still not touched by birds.! Thank you for pointing this out to us ! Have a nice rest of the winter ! ......Mary.... see you in August ! Sent from my iPad 2 Mary Majka Mary's Point, Harvey, Albert Co., N.B. E4H 2M9 On 2012-02-05, at 11:44 AM, "Frederick W. Schueler" wrote: > Everyone, > > I'm forwarding these Robin (Turdus migratorius) items from the [NATURENB] NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, where there seems to be even more Robins than we have here, and because of the observations on the sequence in which berry-like fruits are eaten by the Robins. It's thought that the palatability of fruits is sequenced to get them eaten in the season when they have the best chance of dispersal, so that Blueberries are meant to be spread around immediately, while the berries still on the shrubs are waiting for late winter or early spring. Of course some of the exotics are likely out of sync with their current environment, or they may displace native species from the place they'd otherwise have in the sequence, but given the chanciness of germination and establishment, not to mention climate change, this has to be a scene of intense, if under-documented evolution. > > Our recent observations on this is that the Robins (at least we haven't seen any Waxwings), have pretty well stripped the massive crop of dried Grapes (Vitis riparia) from the fencerows, and have taken out most of the Cathartic Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) fruit around here, as evidenced both by the empty profiles of the bushes, and by purple and greenish dotting on the snow. > > Friday we were down at Trips along the St Lawrence, and the Highbush Cranberry fruit on a row of planted bushes were pretty well untouched, but we didn't ask if these were the less bitter native Viburnum trilobum, or the more-bitter European V. opulus. > > The next time we're going down past the Long Swamp Fen, we'll have to check the status of the Winterberries (Ilex verticillata) there, though these are also turning brown at this time of year, and I don't know how this change in colour relates to palatablility or dispersal. > > Of the other species mentioned in the NatureNB article, I hadn't noticed much of a Mountain-ash (Sorbus) crop this year; haven't been following Sumac (Rhus typhina), and the dried out hips on the local Roses (species unknown) would be more of a target for Woodpeckers than for Robins. > > fred. > ========================================================= > > > > On 2/5/2012 9:58 AM, David Christie wrote for the Re: [NATURENB] NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, February 5, 2012 (Sunday): >> NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE >> Edited by : Nelson Poirier >> Transcript by : David Christie >> Info Line # : 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS) >> >> To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor. >> >> For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries contact Shirley Hunt. >> >> >> Sunday morning, February 5, 2012 >> >> Rosemary had an interesting AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Amérique] event on Saturday. She put a good amount of mountain-ash berries out on an outside windowsill, then headed out for a cross-country ski on nearby Jones Lake. When she returned, AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] were just cleaning up the last remnants. The booty was fully discovered and gleaned. >> >> ** I noted a very attractive bush, loaded with brilliant red fruit, in the front yard of a Mount Royal Boulevard home [in Moncton], but untouched by the many AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Amérique] around. On checking, it appeared to be a DOG ROSE [Rosier des chiens] (Rosa canina). There must be some reason that these rose-hips have not been touched, but the thorns don't look that perilous but maybe they were. >> >> [Transcriber's note: With the exception of Multiflora Rose [Rosier multiflore], rose hips are generally not choice foods for birds and are mainly resorted to when other fruit sources have become scarce. HIGHBUSH CRANBERRY [Viorne trilobée] is also a food of last resort for fruit-eaters; three Robins were feeding on Highbush Cranberries in front of my house at Mary's Point on Saturday. The apples still available here were probably too hard frozen.] >> >> ** More folks are having the pleasure of AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] drop by their yards. Laurie Fairley, at Carrolls Crossing near Doaktown, was surprised to spot a Robin in her yard on Saturday. It was foraging on Staghorn Sumac fruit. >> >> ** Bob Blake was pleased to add an AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Amérique] to his Project FeederWatch day on Saturday [at Second North River, N of Salisbury]. Bob says it seemed to drop in to check around the ground feed briefly and was on its way again. >> >> ** All the activity at bird feeders has drawn some raptor interest. Birds drawn to the attractive crabapple tree in Susan Atkinson's yard [Courteney Street, Moncton] have attracted the interest of a Merlin [Faucon émerillon]. As Susan returned home on Saturday she spotted feathers flying in the yard and found that a Merlin had taken an AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Amérique]. It was able to fly off with what remained. I wonder if it may have been a female Merlin; a Robin is big prey for a Merlin but I suspect that their pugnacious nature would over-rule. >> >> ** Alain Clavette is enjoying the burst of feeder activity after it having been so quiet in his Taylor Village [Memramcook area] yard just a few weeks ago. AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] have found and are appreciating the cache of apples he has put out. Alain was surprised to spot three CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] among them, not having seen the more expected BOHEMIAN WAXWING [Jaseur boréal] in the yard as yet. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] numbers have tripled and they are now actively taking niger seed that they were ignoring a few weeks ago. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS [Bruant hudsonien] have also started arriving. >> >> Nelson Poirier, >> Nature Moncton >> >> NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html >> Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html >> > > > -- > > fred > ------------------------------------------------------------ > Frederick W. Schueler & Aleta Karstad > Bishops Mills Natural History Centre - http://pinicola.ca/bmnhc.htm > Mudpuppy Night in Oxford Mills - http://pinicola.ca/mudpup1.htm > Daily Paintings - http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/ > South Nation Basin Art & Science Book > http://pinicola.ca/books/SNR_book.htm > RR#2 Bishops Mills, Ontario, Canada K0G 1T0 > on the Smiths Falls Limestone Plain 44* 52'N 75* 42'W > (613)258-3107 http://pinicola.ca/ > ------------------------------------------------------------ > ------------------------------------------------------------ > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, February 5, 2012 (Sunday) From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 10:58:37 -0400 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : David Christie Info Line # : 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries contact Shirley Hunt . Sunday morning, February 5, 2012 ** Rosemary Macaulay reports that all continues to seem well with the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT [Paruline polyglotte], seeing it moving about her 28 Bessborough Ave. yard [in Moncton] on Saturday. The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD [Moqueur polyglotte] returned at mid-day on Saturday, after not having been seen for about 5 days. Rosemary had an interesting AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Am�rique] event on Saturday. She put a good amount of mountain-ash berries out on an outside windowsill, then headed out for a cross-country ski on nearby Jones Lake. When she returned, AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Am�rique] were just cleaning up the last remnants. The booty was fully discovered and gleaned. ** I noted a very attractive bush, loaded with brilliant red fruit, in the front yard of a Mount Royal Boulevard home [in Moncton], but untouched by the many AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Am�rique] around. On checking, it appeared to be a DOG ROSE [Rosier des chiens] (Rosa canina). There must be some reason that these rose-hips have not been touched, but the thorns don't look that perilous but maybe they were. [Transcriber's note: With the exception of Multiflora Rose [Rosier multiflore], rose hips are generally not choice foods for birds and are mainly resorted to when other fruit sources have become scarce. HIGHBUSH CRANBERRY [Viorne trilob�e] is also a food of last resort for fruit-eaters; three Robins were feeding on Highbush Cranberries in front of my house at Mary's Point on Saturday. The apples still available here were probably too hard frozen.] ** More folks are having the pleasure of AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Am�rique] drop by their yards. Laurie Fairley, at Carrolls Crossing near Doaktown, was surprised to spot a Robin in her yard on Saturday. It was foraging on Staghorn Sumac fruit. ** Bob Blake was pleased to add an AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Am�rique] to his Project FeederWatch day on Saturday [at Second North River, N of Salisbury]. Bob says it seemed to drop in to check around the ground feed briefly and was on its way again. ** All the activity at bird feeders has drawn some raptor interest. Birds drawn to the attractive crabapple tree in Susan Atkinson's yard [Courteney Street, Moncton] have attracted the interest of a Merlin [Faucon �merillon]. As Susan returned home on Saturday she spotted feathers flying in the yard and found that a Merlin had taken an AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Am�rique]. It was able to fly off with what remained. I wonder if it may have been a female Merlin; a Robin is big prey for a Merlin but I suspect that their pugnacious nature would over-rule. ** Also, Kevin Renton had a NORTHERN SHRIKE [Pie-gri�che grise] check out their Stilesville yard [NW of Moncton] on Sunday. ** Alain Clavette is enjoying the burst of feeder activity after it having been so quiet in his Taylor Village [Memramcook area] yard just a few weeks ago. AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Am�rique] have found and are appreciating the cache of apples he has put out. Alain was surprised to spot three CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Am�rique] among them, not having seen the more expected BOHEMIAN WAXWING [Jaseur bor�al] in the yard as yet. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] numbers have tripled and they are now actively taking niger seed that they were ignoring a few weeks ago. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS [Bruant hudsonien] have also started arriving. ** The fluttering insect that Kevin Renton had spotted at a window in their Stilesville home has turned out to be a very fresh male CABBAGE WHITE butterfly. It is assumed that this insect was brought into the house in the larval or pupal stage on a plant that happened to be one of its food plants, and recently emerged as an adult in the warm house. It's always a surprise to see a butterfly in February of one of the species that does not overwinter as an adult. However, an accidental scenario like this can happen. Nelson Poirier, Nature Moncton NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Miscou - Inkerman - Four Road - Le Goulet From: Frank Branch <frankb AT NB.AIBN.COM> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 10:39:48 -0400 Yesterday Feb. 5th,I went for a little birding trip with Denise Godin, Jolande ST-Pierre ,Jeanne Benoit and Nicole Ferron ,in Four Road we found a White-crowned Sparrow (Bruant a couronne blanche ) and a Merlin (Faucon emerillon ), in Inkerman ,a Song Sparrow (Bruant chanteur ),at Le Goulet an adult Bald Eagle (Pygargue a tete blanche) and for my Miscou List (No 240 ) 2 Great Horned Owl ( Grand-duc d Amerique ), a big thank you to Steeve Miouse for the location of the owl, a very rare bird on the Island. Four Northern Shrike (Pie-grieche grise) were also seen during the day,a total of 27 speciesin all. From the Acadian Peninsula, Frank Branch NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Carolina Wren singing From: Don Gibson <gibsondg AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 09:53:05 -0400 It was -20� C and sunny at Fredericton this morning (Feb. 5) and a CAROLINA WREN (Troglodyte de Caroline) was in full voice. Also two or three NORTHERN CARDINALS (Cardinal rouge) were vocalizing. The cardinals have been heard for the last few days. About 25 AMERICAN ROBINS (Merle d'Am�rique) have been feasting on my Mountain Ash tree plus 100 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS (Jaseur bor�al) also make an occasional visit. Don Gibson 50 Golf Club Road Fredericton NB E3B 5M4 506-454-3261 NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Alcids and other waterbirds at Green's Point, Charlotte County From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 08:51:28 -0400 I made a trip to Green's Point yesterday. My arrival was timed to catch the falling tide, starting within an hour of high tide. Conditions were not the best with a strong breeze blowing through the passage, snow falling and the fog horn blowing. The snow backed off after a while allowing the horn to stop and providing me an opportunity to utilize one of the better viewpoints near the horn. The first hour was slow. Most of the passage was a steady stream of outgoing water with few eddies. A few gulls, eiders and guillemots were around, but not much else. After an hour or so, eddies began to form and seabirds began to move in from the bay. The birds could be seen flying in from other parts of the bay and landing in the various eddies. Birds observed included dozens of Razorbills, at least 10 Thick-billed Murre, a dozen or more Red-throated Loons, Common Loons, dozens of Black Guillemots, a half dozen Great Cormorant, hundreds of Common Eider, a Bald Eagle attempting to catch an eider that had separated itself from a flock, small numbers of common gulls as well as a few other bird species. On this trip, no Grebes or interesting gulls were observed. I had hoped to scan for King Eider, but today's eiders were quite distant. A good day though. I always enjoy observing the daily movements of birds and this spot is certainly good for that. Watching the birds come in from the bay also provided an opportunity to work on in-flight identification. There seems to always be something moving through this passage. It can be quite a sight. Todd Watts Bocabec, NB On 25-Jan-12, at 11:53 PM, Stuart Tingley wrote: > On Monday (January 23) I had the opportunity to bird for a couple of > hours around midday at Green's Point, Charlotte County. This small, > picturesque headland, complete with lighthouse and associated > buildings, separates Back Bay and Letete Passage and is located > about a kilometer south of the ferry landing for the Deer Island > ferry at Letete. It's been a couple of winters since I birded this > spot but my Monday visit reminded me that this is perhaps the > premiere New Brunswick mainland location in winter for seabirds. > During my visit I saw about 80 RAZORBILLS and at least 5 THICK- > BILLED MURRES both in flight and sitting on the rather turbulent > waters off the lighthouse. Letete Passage to the west was dotted > with BLACK GUILLEMOTS and GREAT CORMORANTS as well as hundreds of > COMMON EIDERS, dozens of LONG-TAILED DUCKS and RED-BREASTED > MERGANSERS, many COMMON LOONS and a few RED-THROATED LOONS and RED- > NECKED GREBES. Offshore there were hundreds of BLACK-LEGGED > KITTIWAKES. Back Bay ! > to the east held at least 70 RED-NECKED GREBES in three surprisingly > tight flocks. > > Past mid-winter visits here have regularly produced Purple > Sandpipers as well as several sightings of Dovekies, Common Murre > and King Eider although none of those species were spotted on Monday. > > DIRECTIONS: From Route 1 follow the signs for St. George and the > Deer Island ferry. Just before you reach the ferry landing you'll > see the sign for Green's Point. Drive to the end of the road and > park in the small pullout just below the gate. You could scope much > of the area from here but much better viewing can be had by walking > past the gate and up the hill and over to the lighthouse (maybe 150 > meters). Use the lighthouse as a wind block and scan the waters > south and west. Alcids often fly by close to the lighthouse but can > also be sitting on the water just about anywhere. Check the offshore > rocks (and the rocks directly below you) for Purple Sandpipers. In > my limited experience here the period from two hours before high > tide to two hours after high tide are the most productive and days > with south or southwest winds may be best for seeing large alcids. > It seems like it's always bitterly cold and windy here but if you > dress warmly, and have patience, careful scanning around! > here with a spotting scope is almost always rewarding! > > Good Birding, > > Stu Tingley > Shediac, NB > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT From: Ralph Eldridge <R.ELDRIDGE AT XPLORNET.COM> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 08:02:53 -0400 I returned to MSI on Tuesday last and since then I've checked the island 3 times. This year, we have a grand total of 5 songbirds overwintering: 2 RAVENS and 3 SONG SPARROWS. The Ravens are here each year.The Sparrows are typical and most years none survive until spring. Two days ago, February 3rd, a single ROBIN arrived on the island and by Saturday, the 5th, it was joined by 6 others. I doubt that they will stay, considering the almost non-existent winter foraging that they find here once the ground freezes. During the weeks before I came out here, there were 20-30 Robins hunkered down just down-hill from my feeders in Saint George. They have apples fallen from several trees, berry laden shrubs and tangles of blackberry & knotweed. The location is sheltered, south-facing and, except for occasional cats or hawks, it's an undisturbed location. Hence; they rarely move or show themselves. Considering the other Robin reports, it's interesting to speculate. How many other hidden, stationary groups are scattered about the province? Is the open winter encouraging wandering? Is the dwindling food supply in the north & South East forcing movement South West? Or for the impossibly optimistic: is this a first sign of spring? NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: WAXWING flock, Saturday Afternoon in Salisbury From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 11:39:47 -0800 I looked out mid-afternoon Saturday and there was a large flock of waxwings in the crown of an aspen across the street from my living room window.  When I studied them with the scope the majority were BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal] but there were a few with yellower bellies and yellow under tail coverts, i.e. CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique].  I took some pictures and then counted 114 birds in the crown of the tree; I am certain that there two were Cedar Waxwings but I didn’t study every bird in the flock.  I’ve post a picture of most of this flock on Twitter; to see search #nbbirds.   Bill Winsor Salisbury NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, February 4, 2012 (Saturday) From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 11:49:34 -0400 At 11:28 AM -0400 2/4/12, I wrote: >** THIS WEEK'S SKY AT A GLANCE > >On Tuesday, Jan. 31, the MOON [Lune] goes into its full phase, meaning that it will be visible all night, to give potentially brilliant nights with reflection from fresh snow. Expect higher high tide and lower low tides. by editing last week's sky at a glance report. Unfortunately, I neglected to change the date. The paragraph above should read: On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the MOON [Lune] goes into its full phase, meaning that it will be visible all night, to give potentially brilliant nights with reflection from fresh snow. Expect higher high tide and lower low tides. Interestingly, the high tides in Shediac Bay are predicted to peak at 1.5 metres, once a day, Feb. 4-6, but in Shepody Bay the peak highs, 12.6-12.7 metres, will occur twice a day, but not until Feb. 11-12. Goes to show how different the Northumberland Strait tides are from those in the Bay of Fundy. David Christie NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE, February 4, 2012 (Saturday) From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 11:22:46 -0400 NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : David Christie Info Line # : 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS) To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries contact Shirley Hunt . Saturday morning, February 4, 2012 ** Yet another surprise for Doreen Rossiter at her Alma feeder yard. A FOX SPARROW [Bruant fauve] arrived at 4:50 p.m. and fed until dark on Friday. At this time of year it would be assumed that this is a bird overwintering in the area. ** Susan Atkinson leaves an update on activity around a flowering crabapple laden with winter fruit in her Moncton yard. Susan had a medium sized flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur bor�al] foraging there recently and thought they had returned on Friday, until she realized it was AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Am�rique], in a flock the size of which she has never seen before. She described the tree as 'alive with robins.' Susan recently tacked a plastic vial on a lilac bush and filled it with apple jelly. To her surprise, the first customer was a DARK-EYED JUNCO [Junco ardois�]. She notes that the bird seemed to stay for some time sampling the offering. I've been using a selection of jams and jellies the past few years and have been surprised at some of the takers. I've never had a junco show interest and am surprised to hear that a seed-eater like a junco would show interest. "Never say never" rules again. ** Heather Silliker reports that they continue to have a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER [Pic � ventre roux] as a regular in their Upper Coverdale feeder yard, along with the expected regulars. Heather also mentions noting a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] at the Jones farm in Upper Coverdale on Friday morning. They were very striking, with hoar frost on the trees and shrubs, in the brilliant sunshine. ** The berry-eating connoisseurs have surely arrived en masse. Kevin Renton reports that the flock of AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Am�rique] that have recently enjoyed feeding on the fruit of a Canada Holly (Winterberry Holly) at his home in Stelesville were replaced by a flock of 50+ BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur bor�al] on Friday. It has been quite a week for Robins, Bohemian Waxwings and Doreen Rossiter's small flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Am�rique]. ** THIS WEEK'S SKY AT A GLANCE On Tuesday, Jan. 31, the MOON [Lune] goes into its full phase, meaning that it will be visible all night, to give potentially brilliant nights with reflection from fresh snow. Expect higher high tide and lower low tides. On Saturday, Feb. 4, the SUN [Soleil] rose at 7:39 a.m. and will set at 5:28 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 11, it will rise at 7:29 a.m. and set at 5:39 p.m. Maybe that's what's getting some birds thinking spring. This Week's Planet Roundup: MERCURY [Mercure] is out of sight, in conjunction with the sun. VENUS [V�nus] at magnitude -4.1, is the brilliant "Evening Star" shining in the southwest during and after dusk. It doesn't set until about two hours after dark. Venus will continue to appear a bit brighter and stay up later all winter. MARS, at magnitude -0.7, rises in the east around 9 p.m. Mars is brightening rapidly as it approaches the earth. It shines highest in the south around 3 a.m. JUPITER, at magnitude -2.3, shines high in the SSW at dusk, moves lower towards the southwest as evening advances, and sets in the west around midnight. SATURN [Saturne], at magnitude +0.6, rises in the east around midnight and is highest in the south before dawn. SPICA, a bit fainter at magnitude +1.0 is 7 degrees to its right or upper right. Saturn's rings are now tilted a generous 15 degrees from our line of sight. This is the most open the rings have appeared since 2007; it's an excellent time to aim a birding scope at Satun, to clearly see its rings on a clear night. Nelson Poirier, Nature Moncton NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Towhee From: Beverley Schneider <drbev AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 10:09:18 -0400 Friday, Feb 3, I saw a male EASTERN TOWHEE at Westfield, where Riverbend Court meets the highway going up the hill from the causeway. At the Westfield ferry there were many Common Goldeneyes and 1 Barrow's Goldeneye. Bev Schneider Buy only worker and bird-friendly coffee. Shade-grown/ fair trade/certified coffee protects coffee workers and our bird species. One acceptable local brand is "Just Us". NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Mystery Flocks From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 09:18:01 -0400 When I lived in England in the 1960s, one of my daily activities as a teenager was to climb up onto the roof to count the gulls heading to roost on the Middlesex reservoirs in the evening. They would drift over in both tight and loose flocks and I would try to find Lesser Black-backed and Common Gulls among the masses of Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. Nowadays, I would be looking for Mediterranean, Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls among them. Roger Burrows On Sat, Feb 4, 2012 at 8:11 AM, Harry scarth wrote: > Thanks for all the ideas about the mystery flocks. The most common > response has been to suggest that they were mallards given that large > numbers have been wintering in the Penobsquis area. > > This conclusion fits with what we saw. It was their high altitude that > had us most puzzled. > > Hank and Carolyn Scarth. > > > Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network > > -----Original Message----- > From: "kathierodger xplornet.ca" > Sender: NatureNB > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 08:02:52 > To: > Reply-To: "kathierodger xplornet.ca" > Subject: Re: Mystery Flocks > > We were along the same stretch of road about 4:30 p.m. yesterday. As we > were passing the mine we saw a large flock(s) to the north, heading east. > They were at a fair distance, over the McCully Pond area. Hank describes > the loose and tight V formation well. I was taken aback and could only > figure they were geese by thier size and flock formation, they were > definintely a large bird. This late-afternoon-eastern pattern is typical of > geese in this area during the fall. > It is likely, if they are geese, they have stayed around because of the > open winter and lots of feed in the fields. Last week in the Sussex / > Apohoquai area I saw several large flocks of mallards flying to and > feeding in the corn fields. Yesterday as I was passing through Fox Hill > (same general area) there were at least 500 crows in a very small patch of > standing corn. The recent snow has covered these fields and disturbed what > was a reasonably easy meal. > > That was the flock as I saw it. > John Rodger > Kiersteadville > > > > > On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 8:16 PM, Mary Majka wrote: > > > Hi Hank and Carolyn, > > " Off The cuff " I would suggest this is not a mystery ! The birds you > > observed were birds that are there usually in great numbers because very > > close to Penobsquis there is a huge "Composting Operation " !! > > We have observed great number of birds there every time we pass through > > this area (which is quite frequently). > > We see often big flocks of Gulls, Pigeons , Starlings, etc milling around > > especially since there are also quite a few Eagles present, also Crows > and > > Ravens. > > My suspicion is that's what you observed ! > > Because of the recent snow, numbers of birds I am sure have increased and > > 1000 would not be unreasonable at all ! ,,,,Mary. .. > > > > Sent from my iPad 2 > > Mary Majka > > Mary's Point, > > Harvey, Albert Co., N.B. E4H 2M9 > > > > On 2012-02-03, at 4:35 PM, Harry scarth wrote: > > > > > This afternoon at about 2:30, we were driving north on the four lane > > between Penobsquis and Petitcodiac. Off to the west we observed an > > assemblage of flocks of birds in what, in any other season, would be > > clearly migration. > > > > > > The numbers of birds was extraordinary. We did our best to come up with > > a number but the sheer size of the flocks made that difficult. Wanting to > > avoid any risk of exageration, we will say there were at least 1,000. > They > > were flying northward at a high enough altitude to suggest they weren't > > local flocks. They were in about 15-20 flocks in both tight and lose V > > formations and together stretched out for perhaps a kilometer (again, a > > modest estimate). > > > > > > Their size and wing beat cadence suggest they were not geese. > > Colouration was lightish. > > > > > > We were unable to get any closer and they quickly disappeared toward > the > > north. > > > > > > We are mystified as to what we witnessed! Any suggestions? > > > > > > Naturalists in the Petitcodiac-Moncton-Shediac areas should keep an eye > > out! > > > > > > Hank and Carolyn Scarth > > > > > > Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network > > > > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > > > Foire aux questions de NatureNB > > http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > > Foire aux questions de NatureNB > http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Mystery Flocks From: Harry scarth <hhs AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 12:11:44 +0000 Thanks for all the ideas about the mystery flocks. The most common response has been to suggest that they were mallards given that large numbers have been wintering in the Penobsquis area. This conclusion fits with what we saw. It was their high altitude that had us most puzzled. Hank and Carolyn Scarth. Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network -----Original Message----- From: "kathierodger xplornet.ca" Sender: NatureNB Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 08:02:52 To: Reply-To: "kathierodger xplornet.ca" Subject: Re: Mystery Flocks We were along the same stretch of road about 4:30 p.m. yesterday. As we were passing the mine we saw a large flock(s) to the north, heading east. They were at a fair distance, over the McCully Pond area. Hank describes the loose and tight V formation well. I was taken aback and could only figure they were geese by thier size and flock formation, they were definintely a large bird. This late-afternoon-eastern pattern is typical of geese in this area during the fall. It is likely, if they are geese, they have stayed around because of the open winter and lots of feed in the fields. Last week in the Sussex / Apohoquai area I saw several large flocks of mallards flying to and feeding in the corn fields. Yesterday as I was passing through Fox Hill (same general area) there were at least 500 crows in a very small patch of standing corn. The recent snow has covered these fields and disturbed what was a reasonably easy meal. That was the flock as I saw it. John Rodger Kiersteadville On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 8:16 PM, Mary Majka wrote: > Hi Hank and Carolyn, > " Off The cuff " I would suggest this is not a mystery ! The birds you > observed were birds that are there usually in great numbers because very > close to Penobsquis there is a huge "Composting Operation " !! > We have observed great number of birds there every time we pass through > this area (which is quite frequently). > We see often big flocks of Gulls, Pigeons , Starlings, etc milling around > especially since there are also quite a few Eagles present, also Crows and > Ravens. > My suspicion is that's what you observed ! > Because of the recent snow, numbers of birds I am sure have increased and > 1000 would not be unreasonable at all ! ,,,,Mary. .. > > Sent from my iPad 2 > Mary Majka > Mary's Point, > Harvey, Albert Co., N.B. E4H 2M9 > > On 2012-02-03, at 4:35 PM, Harry scarth wrote: > > > This afternoon at about 2:30, we were driving north on the four lane > between Penobsquis and Petitcodiac. Off to the west we observed an > assemblage of flocks of birds in what, in any other season, would be > clearly migration. > > > > The numbers of birds was extraordinary. We did our best to come up with > a number but the sheer size of the flocks made that difficult. Wanting to > avoid any risk of exageration, we will say there were at least 1,000. They > were flying northward at a high enough altitude to suggest they weren't > local flocks. They were in about 15-20 flocks in both tight and lose V > formations and together stretched out for perhaps a kilometer (again, a > modest estimate). > > > > Their size and wing beat cadence suggest they were not geese. > Colouration was lightish. > > > > We were unable to get any closer and they quickly disappeared toward the > north. > > > > We are mystified as to what we witnessed! Any suggestions? > > > > Naturalists in the Petitcodiac-Moncton-Shediac areas should keep an eye > out! > > > > Hank and Carolyn Scarth > > > > Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network > > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > > Foire aux questions de NatureNB > http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Mystery Flocks From: "kathierodger xplornet.ca" <kathierodger AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 08:02:52 -0400 We were along the same stretch of road about 4:30 p.m. yesterday. As we were passing the mine we saw a large flock(s) to the north, heading east. They were at a fair distance, over the McCully Pond area. Hank describes the loose and tight V formation well. I was taken aback and could only figure they were geese by thier size and flock formation, they were definintely a large bird. This late-afternoon-eastern pattern is typical of geese in this area during the fall. It is likely, if they are geese, they have stayed around because of the open winter and lots of feed in the fields. Last week in the Sussex / Apohoquai area I saw several large flocks of mallards flying to and feeding in the corn fields. Yesterday as I was passing through Fox Hill (same general area) there were at least 500 crows in a very small patch of standing corn. The recent snow has covered these fields and disturbed what was a reasonably easy meal. That was the flock as I saw it. John Rodger Kiersteadville On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 8:16 PM, Mary Majka wrote: > Hi Hank and Carolyn, > " Off The cuff " I would suggest this is not a mystery ! The birds you > observed were birds that are there usually in great numbers because very > close to Penobsquis there is a huge "Composting Operation " !! > We have observed great number of birds there every time we pass through > this area (which is quite frequently). > We see often big flocks of Gulls, Pigeons , Starlings, etc milling around > especially since there are also quite a few Eagles present, also Crows and > Ravens. > My suspicion is that's what you observed ! > Because of the recent snow, numbers of birds I am sure have increased and > 1000 would not be unreasonable at all ! ,,,,Mary. .. > > Sent from my iPad 2 > Mary Majka > Mary's Point, > Harvey, Albert Co., N.B. E4H 2M9 > > On 2012-02-03, at 4:35 PM, Harry scarth wrote: > > > This afternoon at about 2:30, we were driving north on the four lane > between Penobsquis and Petitcodiac. Off to the west we observed an > assemblage of flocks of birds in what, in any other season, would be > clearly migration. > > > > The numbers of birds was extraordinary. We did our best to come up with > a number but the sheer size of the flocks made that difficult. Wanting to > avoid any risk of exageration, we will say there were at least 1,000. They > were flying northward at a high enough altitude to suggest they weren't > local flocks. They were in about 15-20 flocks in both tight and lose V > formations and together stretched out for perhaps a kilometer (again, a > modest estimate). > > > > Their size and wing beat cadence suggest they were not geese. > Colouration was lightish. > > > > We were unable to get any closer and they quickly disappeared toward the > north. > > > > We are mystified as to what we witnessed! Any suggestions? > > > > Naturalists in the Petitcodiac-Moncton-Shediac areas should keep an eye > out! > > > > Hank and Carolyn Scarth > > > > Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network > > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > > Foire aux questions de NatureNB > http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Mystery Flocks From: Mary Majka <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:16:46 -0400 Hi Hank and Carolyn, " Off The cuff " I would suggest this is not a mystery ! The birds you observed were birds that are there usually in great numbers because very close to Penobsquis there is a huge "Composting Operation " !! We have observed great number of birds there every time we pass through this area (which is quite frequently). We see often big flocks of Gulls, Pigeons , Starlings, etc milling around especially since there are also quite a few Eagles present, also Crows and Ravens. My suspicion is that's what you observed ! Because of the recent snow, numbers of birds I am sure have increased and 1000 would not be unreasonable at all ! ,,,,Mary. .. Sent from my iPad 2 Mary Majka Mary's Point, Harvey, Albert Co., N.B. E4H 2M9 On 2012-02-03, at 4:35 PM, Harry scarth wrote: > This afternoon at about 2:30, we were driving north on the four lane between Penobsquis and Petitcodiac. Off to the west we observed an assemblage of flocks of birds in what, in any other season, would be clearly migration. > > The numbers of birds was extraordinary. We did our best to come up with a number but the sheer size of the flocks made that difficult. Wanting to avoid any risk of exageration, we will say there were at least 1,000. They were flying northward at a high enough altitude to suggest they weren't local flocks. They were in about 15-20 flocks in both tight and lose V formations and together stretched out for perhaps a kilometer (again, a modest estimate). > > Their size and wing beat cadence suggest they were not geese. Colouration was lightish. > > We were unable to get any closer and they quickly disappeared toward the north. > > We are mystified as to what we witnessed! Any suggestions? > > Naturalists in the Petitcodiac-Moncton-Shediac areas should keep an eye out! > > Hank and Carolyn Scarth > > Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Robins and Hermit Thrush Today From: Jim Wilson <jgw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 19:40:45 -0400 This morning I heard a ROBIN calling, just down the road from our property at Hammond River. This is the first one I've encountered in our area this winter. Yesterday I saw my first Bohemian Waxwings at Hammond River and today my first Robin. Perhaps some of the birds that have been feeding in southeast NB this winter are beginning to move in search of food and are finding what they want down here. Later this morning I found two more ROBINS and a HERMIT THRUSH feeding on barberries on Fisherman's Lane, on the west side of Saint John. There are many barberry bushes there, still laden with fruit. Jim Wilson NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Mystery Flocks From: Harry scarth <hhs AT rogers.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:35:49 +0000 This afternoon at about 2:30, we were driving north on the four lane between Penobsquis and Petitcodiac. Off to the west we observed an assemblage of flocks of birds in what, in any other season, would be clearly migration. The numbers of birds was extraordinary. We did our best to come up with a number but the sheer size of the flocks made that difficult. Wanting to avoid any risk of exageration, we will say there were at least 1,000. They were flying northward at a high enough altitude to suggest they weren't local flocks. They were in about 15-20 flocks in both tight and lose V formations and together stretched out for perhaps a kilometer (again, a modest estimate). Their size and wing beat cadence suggest they were not geese. Colouration was lightish. We were unable to get any closer and they quickly disappeared toward the north. We are mystified as to what we witnessed! Any suggestions? Naturalists in the Petitcodiac-Moncton-Shediac areas should keep an eye out! Hank and Carolyn Scarth Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Grand Manan birds From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 15:29:06 -0400 February 3 Castalia Feeders 08:00-09:15 & 13:45-15:00 5 Mourning Doves, 25 American Goldfinches; no woodpeckers today. Grand Harbour 09:45-10:00 262 American Black Ducks, 7+ Mallards, 5+ Buffleheads Ragged Point 11:20-11:25 24 American Black Ducks, 140 Common Eiders, White-winged Scoter pair, male Long-tailed Duck, 4 Common Goldeneyes, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers Castalia Marsh 11:30-11:50 32 Brants, 257 American Black Ducks Roger Burrows Castalia Grand Manan NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye From: ron m <ron_m321 AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 10:39:23 -0800 There is a male Barrow's Goldeneye in the St. Stephen Sewage Lagoon and has apparently been there for a few weeks as Bill Nelson mentioned it back then.� You can access the lagoons during working hours Monday to Fridays and today he was in the lower lagoon furthest from the gate.� The lagoon is off the Old Bay Rd the same road as the golf course is on.� One does not need a scope as a pair of bins work great as he is close enough. � Ron McGuire Tower Hill, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: SAVANNAH SPARROW From: Harry scarth <hhs AT rogers.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 17:19:47 +0000 Also just south of Sussex on Hwy 121 at the farm just south of civic number 3441 was a very chipper SAVANNAH SPARROW, a SONG SPARROW and above and close to the road perched in a maple, a RED-TAILED HAWK. Along this road this morning we have also seen SNOW BUNTINGS and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. Hank and Carolyn Scarth. Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Rusty Blackbirds From: Harry scarth <hhs AT rogers.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:43:09 +0000 At 1245 today, there were five RUSTY BLACKBIRDS feeding on corn stalks on hwy 121 just south of Sussex and just south of civic number 3252. Hank Scarth Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Weather Statistics Reformated From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 07:31:29 -0800 The List Server has chosen to do its own version of formations today.  I will make a second attempt at presenting the weather statistics in Tabular Format: ( It looks okay when it was sent from the email editor.) ** Bob Blake compares some very interesting weather statistics to compare January, 2011 with January, 2012.  Bob takes morning temperatures daily from his Second North River location.  We all remember the harsh snow falls last year, however it is interesting to note the rainfall amounts and temperatures were quite similar for the two months even though many of us felt January this year was warmer, it really wasn’t, just much less snow. Weather Statistics January 2011 January 2012   Days at or below -10C 14 days 15 daysMinimum Daily Temperature -24 C         -21 CDays Above -10C 16 days 16 daysMaximum Daily Temperature +5 C         +3 C   Snow         147  cm 40 cmRain                 13 mm 16mm Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton   Please, consider the environment before printing this e-mail     NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE, February 3, 2012 (Friday) From: Bill Winsor <bwinsor44 AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 07:22:49 -0800 NATURE MONCTON’S INFORMATION LINE   Edited by: Nelson Poirier Transcribed by: Bill Winsor Info Line #: 384-NEWS (6397)   To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor.   For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries, contact Shirley Hunt .   Friday Morning, February 3, 2012   ** David and Anita Cannon who live on the Ammon Road near the Irishtown Road get visits from a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH [Sittelle à poitrine blanche] intermittently to their feeders taking peanut flavoured suet and black-oil sunflower seeds.  The White-breasted Nuthatch is not a common feeder bird in the Moncton area; however, there is an area of large deciduous trees in the Cannons’ area that makes for suitable White-breasted Nuthatch habitat.  Kevin and Jean Renton have spotted a pair of White-breasted Nuthatch in the Sugar Bush area further up in this area towards Stilesville.  The Cannons’ get both RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHS [Sittelle à poitrine rousse] and White-breasted Nuthatch coming to their feeders, as some conifer tree areas are in their area as well which the Red-breasted Nuthatches use as habitat for their cone foraging preferences.   ** John Oldham joins the swelling group hosting yard AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique].  John had two Robins arrive to his Carroll Street yard, off McLaughlin Road as well as a flock of ten to twelve BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal].  John also comments on lots of AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] tenets at the moment.   ** Great to hear from Rosemary MacAulay that the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT [Paruline polyglotte] was still very much present and appearing content on Thursday morning in her 28 Bessborough Avenue yard.  It’s handled some very cold periods so hopefully it will continue during the present cold with some powdery insulating snow to help.  Rosemary comments the NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD [Moqueur polyglotte] has not been seen for the past few days, however it does have a circuit that it travels.  Rosemary still has a SONG SPARROW [Bruant chanteur] present, lots of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE [Mésange à tête noire] and a raucous grout of Starlings that have started coming to demolish suet supplies that scares other birds away with their behaviour when they arrive.   ** Doreen Rossiter had six Waxwings arrive to her Alma yard on Wednesday Morning to glean clinging high-bush cranberry fruit.  She was surprised to find that all six were CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique].  Doreen’s female EASTERN TOWHEE [Tohi à flancs roux] and female NORTHERN CARDINAL [Cardinal rouge] continue to be regular visitors and a half dozen AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] have dropped by as well.   ** Norm Mulock comments on the abundance of bird visitors to his yard near Jones Lake near Moncton’s West End not far from Rosemary MacAulay and myself.  A cock RING-NECKED PHEASANT [Faisan de Colchide] visits, many AMERICAN GOLDFINCH [Chardonneret jaune] , a few BLUE JAYS [Geai bleu] and several BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES [Mésange à tête noire] with five AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] visiting a yard Crab Tree.  The number of American Robins circulating in the Jones Lake area is quite notable at the moment.  Norm s that a neighbour on Westmount Boulevard had fifty American Robins quickly stripped a nearby mountain ash of its fruit.  Norm’s brother-in-law in Sussex has a pair of NORTHERN CARDINAL [Cardinal rouge] as daily regulars; hopefully part of a troop that is working their way to Moncton.   ** Bob Blake compares some very interesting weather statistics to compare January, 2011 with January, 2012.  Bob takes morning temperatures daily from his Second North River location.  We all remember the harsh snow falls last year, however it is interesting to note the rainfall amounts and temperatures were quite similar for the two months even though many of us felt January this year was warmer, it really wasn’t, just much less snow.   Weather Statistics January 2011 January 2012       Days at or below -10C 14 days 15 days Minimum Daily Temperature -24 C -21 C Days Above -10C 16 days 16 days Maximum Daily Temperature +5 C +3 C       Snow 147  cm 40 cm Rain 13 mm 16mm   ** Kevin Renton comments on a fluttering MOTH he noticed between two panes of glass of a house window on Wednesday.  Kevin has that specimen and is waiting for confirmation of its identification.   Kevin reports that the birds are in force this morning, already with SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges], 15 EVENING GROSBEAKS [Gros-bec errant], DARK-EYED JUNCOS [Junco ardoisé] at ten, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS [Bruant hudsonien] at eight and lots more regulars.   ** Nature Moncton Newsletter Editor Gilles Bourque advises that the deadline for the February 2012 Newsletter will be today, Friday February 3rd.  Gilles always also appreciates photo contributions and any notices or items of interest.  Send submissions to Gilles via email at: laverda AT nbnet.nb.ca or phone Gilles directly at 387-8372.   Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton   Please, consider the environment before printing this e-mail       NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Bohemian Waxwings From: Becky Stewart <bstewart AT BSC-EOC.ORG> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:59:31 -0500 There was a small flock of Bohemian Waxwings in the Waterfowl Park at the beginning of the week (before we were snowed under). Becky Stewart Atlantic Program Manager/Gestionnaire des programmes atlantiques Bird Studies Canada/�tudes d'Oiseaux Canada P.O. Box/ B.P. 6227 17 Waterfowl Lane/ 17 ruelle Waterfowl Sackville, NB E4L 1G6 Phone/Tel: 506-364-5047 bstewart AT bsc-eoc.org www.birdscanada.org Many Chimney Swifts spend the night in school chimneys, thus creating a unique opportunity to engage children and educators in swift protection. Support BSC's project Students for a "swift" recovery.� Visit www.fuellingchange.com to find out more and VOTE for this important conservation initiative. -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of Todd Watts Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 6:25 PM To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Subject: Re: Bohemian Waxwings I too have only seen one group of Bohemians(25) this year, but have not been out very much. These birds landed in the wind-brake next to my home. A group of 35 Snow Bunting are currently taking advantage of some new habitat along highway 1 in Bocabec. Todd Watts Bocabec, NB On 2-Feb-12, at 6:06 PM, Harry Scarth wrote: > At last, after a good number of days in the field since the turn of > the > year, we found four BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the Long Reach of the > Kingston > Peninsula. Also noted was a flock of some 65 SNOW BUNTINGS. > > > > > > Hank and Carolyn Scarth > > Rothesay, NB > > > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: More WT Sparrows From: "fundyhiking xplornet.ca" <fundyhiking AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 06:56:36 -0400 The troupe of White-throated Sparrow have swelled to over 30 birds, there are also many DE Junco mixed among them making it hard to get a definitive count. That and having two seperate feeding areas make it difficult. There was also a group of 20 Bohemian Waxwing that perused the yard yesterday but continued elsewhere. With all the sparrow activity I hear the first note or two of their song, just starting to warm up. Also BC Chickadees have been doing their spring 3 note call. Goldfinch, RB Nuthatch, GC Kinglet and 40+ Mourning Dove round out the feeder birds. Ted Sears St.Martins NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Bohemian Waxwings From: Vexus vexus <epitetj AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 01:45:55 -0800 During the storm on Wednesday we had a flock of Bohemian Waxwings land in one of our maple trees, there looked to be around 20 to 30 of them, after they left I was washing dishes and was looking out the window and seen that the last of the Mountain ash berries were no longer there, they cleaned dry........ Man they are such a beautiful bird Mary Lower Shinimicas, NS ________________________________ From: Harry Scarth To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2012 6:06:49 PM Subject: Bohemian Waxwings At last, after a good number of days in the field since the turn of the year, we found four BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the Long Reach of the Kingston Peninsula.� Also noted was a flock of some 65 SNOW BUNTINGS. Hank and Carolyn Scarth Rothesay, NB NatureNB guidelines� http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB� http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: FW: birds at feeder From: Joan Pearce <pearcer AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:51:58 -0400 Like Don Gibson, I had an absolutely almost perfect day to day birding in my yard in the comfort of my house. I looked out my kitchen window to see about a dozen robins doing great acrobatics trying to get tiny rose hips off my neighbour's (we share a yard) wild climbing rose. Getting out my binoculars I was surprised to see a Bohemian waxwing in the bush with them, almost completely upside down trying to get some food. Another scan and there was also a ruffed grouse feeding in the bush. Underneath my feeders and also at the feeders to-day were 4 blue jay, 15 juncos, 2 song sparrows, one white throated sparrow chicadees, 23 mourning doves, all three woodpeckers, female red-bellied, downey, hairy, 2pairs of cardinals, crows, 4 starlings a flock of American goldfinch and 3 red squirrels,. I left for the afternoon and on my return there were 3 ruffed grouse underneath my climbing rose that climbs through a pine tree. There was no sign of the yellow breasted chat to-day or yesterday but it was seen all day the 31st. There was a northern shrike on the 31st. no gray squirrels to-day but 5 yesterday in the storm. Joan Pearce 3452 Pelton Road, Saint John 652-1551 -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of Don Gibson Sent: February 2, 2012 5:38 PM To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Subject: birds at feeder VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED For those of you who have had a disappointing winter at your feeder, you may wish to skip the following message. On Tuesday, January 31, 2012, the following birds were observed at my feeders at the same time: a male and female NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinal rouge), a male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Pic � ventre roux) and two CAROLINA WRENS (Troglodyte de Caroline). Don Gibson 50 Golf Club Road Fredericton NB E3B 5M4 506-454-3261 NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Bohemian Waxwings From: Todd Watts <fishbird AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:24:35 -0400 I too have only seen one group of Bohemians(25) this year, but have not been out very much. These birds landed in the wind-brake next to my home. A group of 35 Snow Bunting are currently taking advantage of some new habitat along highway 1 in Bocabec. Todd Watts Bocabec, NB On 2-Feb-12, at 6:06 PM, Harry Scarth wrote: > At last, after a good number of days in the field since the turn of > the > year, we found four BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the Long Reach of the > Kingston > Peninsula. Also noted was a flock of some 65 SNOW BUNTINGS. > > > > > > Hank and Carolyn Scarth > > Rothesay, NB > > > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Bohemian Waxwings From: Harry Scarth <hhs AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:06:49 -0400 At last, after a good number of days in the field since the turn of the year, we found four BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the Long Reach of the Kingston Peninsula. Also noted was a flock of some 65 SNOW BUNTINGS. Hank and Carolyn Scarth Rothesay, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: birds at feeder From: Don Gibson <gibsondg AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:37:53 -0400 VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED For those of you who have had a disappointing winter at your feeder, you may wish to skip the following message. On Tuesday, January 31, 2012, the following birds were observed at my feeders at the same time: a male and female NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinal rouge), a male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Pic � ventre roux) and two CAROLINA WRENS (Troglodyte de Caroline). Don Gibson 50 Golf Club Road Fredericton NB E3B 5M4 506-454-3261 NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Birds Around Saint John Today From: Jim Wilson <jgw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:04:08 -0400 Jean and I saw two TURKEY VULTURES this morning at about the same time as Joanne Savage saw hers. Ours were at nearby Nauwigewauk, just south of Hampton, soaring quite low over the road. I wonder just how many we have this winter locally - up to four have been seen together and perhaps this morning's three were a scattered part of that group. But I'll bet there are more. Anyway, a handful are apparently permanent residents now, here in Kings County. Jean and I also saw a large (female?) PEREGRINE FALCON this morning at Courtenay Bay in Saint John as well as a group of about 20 scaup (species?). There were another 30+ scaup near the Irving Paper Mill at Reversing Falls, several of them obviously GREATER SCAUP. I checked all the birds carefully for possible rarities (Tufted, Redhead, Canvasback) but no luck. On our drive home we found a flock of about 20 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the Hammond River Road near our home, the first I've seen anywhere this year. They've been pretty scarce in our area despite an abundance of berries and apples on many of our trees. A lone SONG SPARROW appeared at our feeders today. I had seen one very briefly on January 7th at the edge of our property but it never came in to the feeders. I expect the new snow has finally forced it here. Finally, our male CARDINAL was singing up a storm (not a real storm!) on the sunny side of our woodlot on the morning of January 30th, stimulated no doubt by the lengthening days. A report from the south, Jim Wilson -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of Joanne savage Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 11:24 AM To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Subject: Turkey Vulture I noted a Turkey Vulture soaring very low as I drove up Roby's Rd at 10 AM. This bird represents 24 conecutive months of sightings of the species for me. Joanne Savage Quispamsis NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: one Robin From: Margaret Doyle <judo AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:14:16 -0400 Hello I was just looking outside a few minutes ago and I saw a ROBIN passing or flying from my back trees and out a report from the North Margaret Doyle NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Turkey Vulture From: Joanne savage <davidsavage AT ROGERS.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:24:24 -0400 I noted a Turkey Vulture soaring very low as I drove up Roby's Rd at 10 AM. This bird represents 24 conecutive months of sightings of the species for me. Joanne Savage Quispamsis NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 2nd 2012 (Thursday) From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:15:09 -0400 Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : Alma White Info Line # : 384-NEWS (6397)> To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries, contact Shirley Hunt at 386-8060. Thursday morning, February 2^nd **Susan Atkinson who lives on Courteney Street near the Pinehurst subdivision off Killam Drive behind the Coliseum had 30 to 40 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur bor�al] arrive to start harvesting the clinging fruit on the yard crabapple tree on Wednesday. Susan expects them to return as the tree continues to be loaded with fruit. **Pearl Nowland joins the contented list of folks who are having AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Am�rique] drop by their yard. Pearl, who lives in Pleasant Vale, Albert Co. had 2 robins come by her yard on Wednesday to a crabapple tree. **We had our own robin surprise in our own Moncton yard. Five robins arrived to check out some very dried out winter-berry holly berries that had been used on the Christmas tree decorations. The fruit tray was right beside them but unfortunately was covered with snow when they arrived. I hope they check things again to day when the fruit selection is exposed. ** Bob and Sharon Blake had some unexpected seemingly spring behaviour in the midst of the day's snowstorm on Wednesday. Sharon heard the very sharp clear vocalizing of a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW [Bruant � gorge blanche] very much sounding like spring in the air. Bob also noted a HAIRY WOODPECKER [Pic chevelu] vocalizing and drumming a tree just as it would in early spring. Maybe these birds are aware of something that we are not. The days are getting longer. **Kevin Renton reports they had a pleasant new arrival at their Stilesville feeder yard with a flock of 20 SNOW BUNTINGS [Bruant des neiges] arriving to check the menu. What a nice sight that must have been to have the brilliant plumaged EVENING GROSBEAK [Gros-bec errant] flock in with equally striking snow buntings. **Anne Marsch had a NORTHERN GOSHAWK [Autour des palombes] come by her Lower Coverdale yard on Thursday and patiently waited before making an attempt on a MOURNING DOVE [Tourterelle triste] which it missed but returned back to the maple tree perch to patiently wait. Anne had 16 BLUE JAYS [Geai bleu] on Thursday which is 5 more than previous records at this time for her yard. The large flock of MALLARDS [Canard colvert] continues their visit. **Nature Moncton Newsletter editor Gilles Bourque advises the deadline for the February Newsletter will be tomorrow, Friday, February 3^rd . Gilles always appreciates some photo contributions and any notices or items of interest. Send submissions to Gilles via E-Mail at > or call Gilles directly at 387-8372. **Web master Bob Childs has placed a few items of interest on the Nature Moncton web-site. There are 2 close-up photos of the AMERICAN COOT [Foulque d'Am�rique] that Jim Edsall and I saw close up in Dartmouth to show their tube-like extensions on the digits almost like looking like snow-shoes, the red eye and the markings of the shield and bill. Also there is a photo of one of Jim Edsall's carvings of a CHIMNEY SWIFT [Martinet ramoneur] which won 2^nd place in a world carving competition in the USA in the Decorative Life-size Wildfowl class at the advanced level. A beautiful piece of work that recently sold. Check out these photos at and click on "Hotshots". Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Robins From: "kathierodger xplornet.ca" <kathierodger AT XPLORNET.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:11:05 -0400 I went out at 4 this afternooon to start blowig snow and was greeted by a half dozen robins at the backyard feeder. They moved off down the lane to an apple tree with fruit still hanging but came back to the feeder as I passed by with the tractor. John Rodger Kiersteadville NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Fw: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 1, 2012. (Wednesday) From: Nelson Poirier <nelson AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:43:37 -0400 The item below should be Dartmouth, not Douglas. Wish it was! Nelson > ** I spent some time with Jim Edsall checking out a few of the interesting > birds in the Douglas area at the moment on Monday. There is a COMMON > GALLINULE, formally called COMMON MOORHEN [Gallinule poule-d'eau] at the > Red Bridge Pond area. This bird seems to be contentedly overwintering in > the area adjacent a warm water outflow into a marshy area that is very > easily observed now with the vegetation died back. Some folks are putting > out food for it but it looks like it may do fine on its own by the way it > swims about. We also found an overwintering AMERICAN COOT [Foulque > d'Am�rique] that sometimes is with the GALLINULE but on Monday was by the > dam at Lake Banook and cooperated by coming up on the land underneath > bridge we were on to see very clearly its unique tube-like projection on > its digits, the red on the facial shield and the bright red eye. Several > EURASIAN WIGEONS [Canard siffleur] were feeding on the grass banks of > Sullivan's Pond with AMERICAN WIGEONS [Canard d'Am�rique], one we were > able to pick out as a female. A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT [Paruline polyglotte] > has been about the area near Sullivan's Pond as well but we were not able > to coax it out into view if it was indeed there. These spots are all > withing 5 minutes of each other and very worth checking out if in the > Dartmouth area. > > Nelson Poirier > Nature Moncton. > > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: NATURE MONCTON'S INFORMATION LINE February 1, 2012. (Wednesday) From: Alma White <almaw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:25:22 -0400 Edited by : Nelson Poirier Transcript by : Alma White Info Line # : 384-NEWS (6397)> To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the information line editor. For more information on Nature Moncton [Moncton Naturalists' Club since 1962], visit the web site at http://naturemoncton.org or contact our president John Foster at 384-7212. For membership inquiries, contact Shirley Hunt at 386-8060 Wednesday morning, February 1^st , 2012. ** An interesting AMERICAN ROBIN [Merle d'Am�rique] observation from Bev Christie on the Isaiah Road. Bev had placed the berries from an asparagus bush in the yard lilac tree to decorate it and an American Robin arrived on Tuesday to sample them and has returned today for the same. Bev put out apples and oranges which so far the robin has turned its beak up at. **Kevin Renton advises a group of EVENING GROSBEAKS [Gros-bec errant] attending their Stilesville feeder yard remain faithful daily visitors. The evening grosbeak has been heard of very little this winter and this is the only feeder yard I am aware of that it is coming to regularly. The Rentons also had 5 robins drop by to glean the berries of a yard Canada Holly aka Winterberry holly bush. **It would appear like winter that seems to have basically held off for December and January will be arriving with February. Bird feeding yards could get quite lively over the next days. With February here a few Nature Moncton events are scheduled. Field Trip Coordinator Catherine Johnson has a bird feeder day scheduled for February 18^th , Saturday that is gaining lots of enthusiasm with the Nature Moncton monthly meeting to follow on Tuesday February 21.when retired RCMP member John Massey will share some eye-opener accounts of his career which included 8 years on wildlife conservation enforcement of the Migratory Bird Protection Act in the provinces of Quebec and NB. Other impromptu events and outings can happen at short notice and they will be announced on the Information Nature Line. ** I spent some time with Jim Edsall checking out a few of the interesting birds in the Douglas area at the moment on Monday. There is a COMMON GALLINULE, formally called COMMON MOORHEN [Gallinule poule-d'eau] at the Red Bridge Pond area. This bird seems to be contentedly overwintering in the area adjacent a warm water outflow into a marshy area that is very easily observed now with the vegetation died back. Some folks are putting out food for it but it looks like it may do fine on its own by the way it swims about. We also found an overwintering AMERICAN COOT [Foulque d'Am�rique] that sometimes is with the GALLINULE but on Monday was by the dam at Lake Banook and cooperated by coming up on the land underneath bridge we were on to see very clearly its unique tube-like projection on its digits, the red on the facial shield and the bright red eye. Several EURASIAN WIGEONS [Canard siffleur] were feeding on the grass banks of Sullivan's Pond with AMERICAN WIGEONS [Canard d'Am�rique], one we were able to pick out as a female. A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT [Paruline polyglotte] has been about the area near Sullivan's Pond as well but we were not able to coax it out into view if it was indeed there. These spots are all withing 5 minutes of each other and very worth checking out if in the Dartmouth area. Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Tonight's Maritimes Butterfly Atlas presentation in Fredericton cancelled From: John Klymko <klymko AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 05:42:51 -0800 Hello all,� Tonight's monthly meeting of the Fredericton Nature Club where I was giving a �presentation on the Maritimes Butterfly Atlas is cancelled due to the weather.� Cheers, John Klymko Director - Maritimes Butterfly Atlas jklymko AT mta.ca NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, Jan 23-29, 2012 From: David Christie <maryspt AT MAC.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:06:57 -0400 From Maine Birds here are parts of Doug Hitchcox's transcript of the Maine Audubon Bird Alert. The entire transcript can be accessed at , and . -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert Reporting Period: January 23 - 29, 2012 Area: State of Maine Compilers: Doug Hitchcox Some Highlight Species Mentioned: American Wigeon [see Downeast] King Eider [Pine Pt., Portland, Jan. 27] Red-shouldered Hawk [Rome, Jan. 28] Red-headed Woodpecker [imm., Cushing Cenetery, Warren, since early Dec.] Fish Crow [ontinuing at Rockland] [western areas omitted] Penobscot Bay An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL continues to be seen around the MV Monhegan dock in Rockland as of the 28th. Two FISH CROWS continue to be reported in downtown Rockland, near the RSU 13 Schools Central Office. Downeast A DOVEKIE was found in Manset, near the Hinckley Boat Yard, on the 23rd and continued until the 29th. Continuing for the 5th year, a hybrid HOODED MERGANSER x COMMON GOLDENEYE was seen again in Southwest Harbor on the 23rd. A NORTHERN PINTAIL was found below the bridge in downtown Blue Hill on the 24th. Three AMERICAN WIGEON continue to be seen at the Somesville Pond on Mount Desert Island. On the 29th a THICK-BILLED MURRE was photographed in the channel from the harbor in Eastport. NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Grand Manan birds, inc. HORNED GREBE From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:10:37 -0400 January 31 Castalia Feeders 09:50-11:00 & 14:00-14:45 10 Mourning Doves, male Northern Cardinal, 3 American Goldfinches Ox Head & Brownville Road 15:10-15:50 26 American Black Ducks, 5 Common Eiders, 2 White-winged & 4 Black Scoters, 20 Buffleheads, 3 female Common Goldeneyes, 6 Mourning Doves Bancroft Point 16:00-16:15 3 HORNED GREBES, 12 American Black Ducks, male Mallard (Likely a hybrid), 390 Common Eiders, 4+ White-winged Scoters, 16 Long-tailed Ducks, 13 Common Goldeneyes, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 immature Bald Eagles, 3 Black Guillemots Roger Burrows Castalia Grand Manan NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Maritimes Butterfly Atlas presentation - Fredericton February 1 From: John Klymko <klymko AT YAHOO.CA> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:00:06 -0800 Hello everyone,� I am doing a presentation highlighting the findings of the first two years of the Maritimes Butterfly Atlas. For details on the presentation, and information on other upcoming talks, see the atlas blog at�http://maritimesbutterflyatlas.wordpress.com/. Hopefully the forecast will ease up for Wednesday so I can make the drive from Sackville! Cheers, John Klymko Director - Maritimes Butterfly Atlas jklymko AT mta.ca NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Southern Wolf Island protected From: Jim Wilson <jgw AT NBNET.NB.CA> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:44:13 -0400 Hi Laurie, That's great news! Thanks for the update. Best regards, Jim -----Original Message----- From: NatureNB [mailto:NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of Laurie Murison Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 10:14 AM To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA Subject: Southern Wolf Island protected Connors Bros. has donated Southern Wolf Island to Nature Trust NB: http://www.naturetrust.nb.ca/en/node/667 A great addition to protected islands in the Bay of Fundy and an important seabird area (and just off its shores, a great place to watch whales). Laurie Murison Grand Manan, NB NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Purple Finches From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:31:05 -0400 Interesting...only one has made it over to Grand Manan since Christmas, so there must be plenty of food on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy. Roger Burrows Castalia Grand Manan On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 7:12 PM, Laraine Townsend wrote: > A flock of 60-70 purple finches were feeding on the side of the Upper > Waweig Road (east of St. Stephen) on Monday morning. > > Laraine Townsend > Waweig > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Purple Finches From: Laraine Townsend <larainet598 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:12:33 -0400 A flock of 60-70 purple finches were feeding on the side of the Upper Waweig Road (east of St. Stephen) on Monday morning. Laraine Townsend Waweig NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Re: Signs of approaching spring From: Roger Burrows <rtburrows AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:38:34 -0400 The Cardinals and Starlings here on Grand Manan know better...I haven't heard a single song yet, and even the local Chickadees are refraining from refraining for the most part! Roger Burrows Castalia Grand Manan On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 4:25 PM, Ian Cameron wrote: > Another sign of spring�s approach, in addition to Joanne�s goldfinches > starting to go yellow. This morning our local CARDINAL was rocketing around > the neighbourhood in full song. The starlings are also singing quite > vigorously. Spring is only about 7 weeks away! > > Ian Cameron > Quispamsis > > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html > Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html > NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html Subject: Signs of approaching spring From: Ian Cameron <icameron AT NB.SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:25:07 -0400 Another sign of spring’s approach, in addition to Joanne’s goldfinches starting to go yellow. This morning our local CARDINAL was rocketing around the neighbourhood in full song. The starlings are also singing quite vigorously. Spring is only about 7 weeks away! Ian Cameron Quispamsis NatureNB guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html Foire aux questions de NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html