This workshop will provide the opportunity to learn how to use 3 apps that will enrich your future  nature outings and will equip you with the tools and knowledge to contribute to citizen science programs. 

Apps:
📱Google Lens, a product of Google using your cell camera or saved photos.
📱Merlin, an app for identifying birds in the field. 
📱eBird, an app for sharing your observations to a database. 

⚠To get the most out of this workshop, please download the Merlin and eBird apps onto your phone and follow the prompts to create an account before the workshop.⚠ To use Google Lens, you will only need an internet connection and a browser on your phone.

Participants are also encouraged to join us for a walk at the Bell Street (Wilson’s) Marsh on Saturday, May 10 starting at 10 AM where they can put their new skills to work. Saturday, May 10, is Global Big Day, which is an annual global birding event where bird enthusiasts record their bird sightings and contribute to scientific research through the eBird platform.

🦆All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Click here to join via Zoom

Come celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and Global Big Day with us!

We will enjoy a walk around the Bell Street (Wilson’s) Marsh on Saturday, May 10 at 10 AM. Please meet at the corner of Bell Street and Bond Street; and parking is available along Bond Street. The trail is rated as easy to navigate and the terrain is level with the exception of the first 100 metres where we must descend from Bell Street to the marsh.

Everyone is welcome and participants of the apps workshop held on May 8 will be encouraged to use their newly acquired skills to identify and record our bird sightings to contribute to the Global Big Day citizen science event.

Please wear weather0appropriate clothing and your Nature Moncton nametag (if you have one), and bring your binoculars. Extra pairs of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed.

You are invited to a movie night on May 14, 2025, beginning at 7 PM. This event will be by Zoom only. 

Together, we’ll watch a 40-minute nature documentary and then Cathy and Wendy will have some questions for discussion afterwards. The May 14 screening will be “Arctic Blue with Peter Mansbridge.”

Click here to join via Zoom

What is eBird and why is it important? How can it enhance your birding adventures? What’s the deal with Merlin? How do others use this data, and how is the data verified?

In this presentation, we’ll explore these questions and more. Join us for a journey into the world of eBird – discover how it works, why it matters, and how you can contribute to citizen science. You’ll get tips for submitting accurate checklists and learn how every observation supports real-world research on bird migration, species distribution, and environmental change.

Megan Boucher currently serves as a regional coordinator for the Newfoundland Breeding Bird Atlas, overseeing the Avalon Peninsula region. She has also travelled to remote islands for seabird research, banded a variety of bird species, and has actively participated in a wide range of volunteer efforts, including breeding bird surveys, point counts, marsh monitoring, shorebird counts, owl routes, and more.

All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not. This will be an in-person meeting, but those who wish to join on Zoom can do so at the following link:

Click here to join via Zoom

In late spring each year we have the movement of many birds returning to their nesting regions, both for local nesters and those that just pass through on their journey further north. The warblers are one such group that pass through our area. These little birds are very colourful and very vocal as they stop for a rest and feeding. In late May, we can often locate many of the warbler species in the Hillsborough area.

On May 24, Nature Moncton will host a hike for members and anyone interested in observing warblers. The warblers are most active as the morning warms and the insects take to flight. This makes 9 AM a good starting time and the hike will be on an abandoned rail line, flat but the rails are still in place, so a little bit of difficulty. The rail hike is only 200 metres up and we double back. Also in the same location is the prepared trail of the Hillsborough Water Park, a walk on a gravel surface of two kilometres. For those wishing for a little more birding we will do this trail after we lunch (bring your own).

The site of the former Pickard Quarry in Sackville has evolved from industrial glory to a nature park and wetland area that is becoming a must-visit site for Sackville, similar to the Sackville Waterfowl Park, but with rolling wooded slopes and low rocky cliffs surrounding two quarry ponds. These varied habitats have attracted many bird species and other wildlife, as well as a diverse flora with native and non-native species.

This protected area is approximately 5 hectares in size and is now crossed by a network of 3 nature trails and smaller side footpaths, winding through the naturalized woodland and wetland area that has become a wildlife sanctuary. The rambling pathways total approximately a kilometre in length and may take us 1 to 1 ½ hours to cover at naturalist speed.

This park is a joint effort of the Tantramar Outdoor Club (TOC), Chignecto Naturalists’ Club, and Tantramar Heritage Trust, along with the Municipality of Tantramar, and their work on improving footpaths and providing interpretive signage is still underway.

Richard Elliot is the retired wildlife biologist coordinating this project for the TOC, and he’ll begin our visit with a 15-minute introduction on the incredible industrial history of this former sandstone quarry and recent progress to improve accessibility and awareness for visitors.

We’ll meet at the top of Quarry Lane, and folks should put Quarry Lane, Sackville, in their phone or car GPS to get to the right place. Richard suggests that most use the Mount Allison Parking lot at the corner of Salem and Park Streets, though some can park at the end of Quarry Lane. A contact phone number, if needed, is (506) 866-2752.

As always, all are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Our June meeting will continue the tradition of a fun social event with good food to celebrate the success of another fantastic fall/winter series of meeting presentations, outings and workshops! Members and non-members are invited to the Rotary Pavilion at Mapleton Park, where we will serve some delicious beef and veggie hamburgers and enjoy a picnic outdoors. Burgers and potato chips will be provided as a thank you from the executive for all your help and participation, but we would welcome any other food contributions brought for sharing.

After we feast on hamburgers, we’ll go inside and watch a presentation of photos taken by participants of various nature highlights they have had throughout the year. If you would like to share some of your sightings, choose your best 10 photos and bring them on a USB stick. Photos of birds, plants and insects, as well as photos of participants on outings, are all welcome as ways to share great memories of the year.

To help us get an idea of how much food will be needed, please let us know if you plan to attend the barbeque at naturemonctoncontact@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there. All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.

Join us for Nature Moncton’s first Wednesday night walk for the 2025 summer season! We will be walking the first 2 KM’s of the Humphreys Brook Trail. This walk will be easy on a wide, level, and well-groomed trail.

At the beginning of our walk, we’ll see a man-made lake where waterfowl and green frogs are often evident. Along the trail and brook, there will be lots of wooded areas and plant life to see.  Depending on the time of day, many birds can be seen or heard. There may be many mosquitoes too, so plan accordingly! If you have a Nature Moncton name tag, please wear that too! All are welcome, Nature Moncton members or not.

Directions:  Via the eastbound Trans Canada Highway, take Exit 462 at the Caledonia Industrial Park. Turn right at the stop sign onto Harrisville Blvd and drive 0.6 KM. The trail head entrance is on the right. There isn’t a parking lot, therefore, please park on the widened gravel shoulder. 

Via the westbound Trans Canada Highway, take Exit 462 at the Caledonia Industrial Park. Turn left at the stop sign onto Harrisville Blvd. Drive 0.8 KM to the trail entrance on the right and park on the shoulder of the road.

Via Shediac Rd., drive 1.1 KM’s east from Stirling Apples and turn left at the traffic lights onto Harrisville Blvd. Drive 0.7 KM to the trail entrance which is on the left. You can park on either side of the road.

The June 25th walk will cover about 3.5 KM, over an estimated 1.5 hours. Walkers can expect the trail to be groomed, wide and flat with dirt and fine gravel. The walk will be mainly easy with the exception of one short but steep hill. Bug spray and protective clothing are recommended. If you have one, don’t forget to wear your Nature Moncton name tag too! All are welcome, Nature Moncton members or not.