Page 12 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Spring Giver 2026

Our Winter and Spring Birds

by Peter Gadd, Nature Miramichi

NORTHERN CARDINAL: This newly arrived species in the SNOWY OWL: Their breeding grounds are very far north.
Miramichi area is establishing itself. They are known to breed Some members of this species will venture south during the
here now and are year-round residents. Here the male is winter depending on food availability and competition. They
courting a female by feeding her a sunflower seed. may visit NB in the winter and will hunt, even in the daytime,
particularly in late afternoon, in open windswept areas
looking mainly for rodents.

AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: This species visits NB and
most of the U.S. in the winter, migrating from its breeding
grounds in the Territories and far north in Quebec. It is a
fairly small sparrow and can be distinguished by its
bicoloured beak. HOUSE FINCH: This year-round resident is not commonly
seen in the Miramichi area but is quite common in the
southern part of New Brunswick. Males and females are
easily confused with Purple Finches. Unlike the Purple Finch,
the House Finch male has “purple” limited to the chest and
head. Females are a duller brown/grey.

PINE WARBLER (left): We are very fortunate here to be
visited by many colourful warbler species in the summer.
This bird is aptly named as it nests high up in pine trees.

12 www.GiverMiramichi.com Spring 2026