July 2007

Snowy Tree Crickets calling every evening along Maple Crescent, Roper Drive and area. Seem more common than in other years. Monarchs regular at garden, mostly nectaring at Purple Coneflower and mauve coloured Phlox. Usually a Red Admiral present as well. Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

For the last week or so, we have had at least six immature American Robins in the yard. They are all adult-size and feeding on their own but still heavily spotted. I’m wondering where they’ve come from, since I didn’t see any small robin fledglings in our neighbourhood at all Read more…

Michelle and I road out to Lakefield on rail-trail. Wildflowers dominated by Queen-Anne’s-Lace and Tall Sweet Clover. Also fairly common and blooming were Viper Buglos, Common Milkweed (only a few still in flower), Black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye-Weed, Swamp Milkweed, White Water Lily and Early Goldenrod. Tartarian Honeysuckles, already laden with ripe Read more…

A pair of Sandhill Cranes were seen feeding in a field on Highway 507. Location: Highway 507 – 3 km north of Flynn’s Corners near Charlie Allen Road Observer: Haig Kelly

Five groups of observers found a total of 51 species of butterflies, a little above average, including two new species for the count

J. Cooper reports having a woodpecker at their oriole feeder and wanted to know if it’s unusual – Yes, it is unusual but certainly does occur. Lots of other birds will visit nectar feeders, too, including jays, wrens, buntings, chickadees and house finches. Bats may even give them a try. Read more…

Spent morning leading a nature walk at Camp Ponacka on Baptiste Lake, just east of Bancroft. Milkweed was in bloom in profusion along cottage roads and monarchs were much in evidence. In one roadside section, maybe 100 feet in length, the boys caught (and released) at least 40 caterpillars of Read more…

ciccada singing, Red Admiral butterflies common in garden Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman