Nature Miramichi

Hi All,

There is a Tree Swallow nest box near the sign as one starts the Miramichi Marsh trail when parked on Ironman Rd. Deana and I were walking past it this morning, hoping that once again a tree swallow may be interested in it this season. I noticed grass inside it through the opening which would be at a much higher level than a tree swallow nest in the box. I thought mice must have made a nest. I wanted to open it up but thought I should knock first! This nest box is on a post with a mammal baffle so I was wondering how a mouse could gain entry. Well, a mammal baffle is effective against terrestrial mammals in my experience, but I needed to think outside the box. No, it wasn’t a bat that answered my knock, but a “flying” squirrel! It seems it has made a nest. It poked its nose and “beady eyes” out, did a quick 180 degree turn and receded back inside. Hopefully it will have a successful brood of young. The post is positioned inside a patch of wild raspberries so is less likely to be disturbed by curious other bipedal mammals, hopefully. Jim Saunders has reported the presence of this species at the marsh previously.

Peter