April 2012

Today I photographed a Brown Thrasher on our lawn. Location: Birchview Road, Clear Lake Observer: John McGregor

There are currently three (five four days ago) Trumpeter Swans at Emily Provincial Park including one tagged as J88. (Note: Tagged Trumpeter Swans can be reported on-line by going to: http://www.reportband.gov/ ) Location: Emily Provincial Park, Omemee, Ontario Observer: Margaret Sinclair

Just spotted a Black-and-white Warbler, a Solitary Sandpiper and a thrush of some species on my property by the Otonabee River off Johnston Drive. Location: Johnston Drive Observer: Bryan Whitfield

I saw the first gosling of the season today, swimming by Dodworth Island, Stony Lake. Location: Stony Lake Observer: Rob Welsh

Yesterday and today, I had one Eastern Towhee scratching under a feeder in my yard, joining 6 White-throated Sparrows. Location: McCrea Drive, Peterborough Observer: Mitch Brownstein

Caspian Terns (2), in front of Ptbo. Lift Lock NHS, diving on fingerlings released for the Greenwing/DU fishing tournament! Location: Peterborough Lift Lock Observer: Sean Smith

This afternoon I made a brief stop at the wetland on Fairbairn Street, north of County Road 19. I was able to see and hear a pair of Common Gallinule (formerly known as Common Moorhen) and Pied-billed Grebe. A Virginia Rail also called. Apparently, a pair of Northern Shovelers was Read more…

I saw my first female Red-winged Blackbird of the season standing in the snow under my feeder this morning. Poor bird

About 20 people took part in the Sunday Morning PFN Bird Walk today. We went to the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area first where highlights included 2 Hermit Thrush, a small flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers, several Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a Winter Wren and a Blue-headed Vireo in full song. There were also Read more…

Today I saw an Eastern Towhee on the ground at the edge of some cedars (there is bird feeder in proximity) outside the kitchen window. It looked similar in colouring (slightly lighter) to the robin, but it was the “distinctive jump-and-kick motion, thrusting both feet to move leaves and reveal Read more…

Today we heard a Red-shouldered Hawk calling. Location: Mississagua Lake area, north of Buckhorn Observer: Cathy Darevic and Simon Dodsworth

As has been the case all week, large numbers of Ruby-crowned Kinglets are moving through the Peterborough area. There were at least a dozen singing in Jackson Park this morning. Location: Jackson Park, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

We have Pine Siskins at our bird feeder! I got a good picture of one. There are a whole bunch mixed in with the goldfinches. Today, I also saw a bird that looked like a Tuffed Titmouse or something similar. It had the crest like cardinals and it was grey. Read more…

I have two Fox Sparrows coming to my feeder. They have been here for at least a week. There are also a number of White-throated Sparrows. Location: McCrea Drive, Peterborough Observer: Mitch Brownstein

Both my Juneberry and Pin Cherry are in full bloom in my yard today. This is at least three weeks earlier than usual. Location: Maple Cres. Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

I spotted an Eastern Towhee in my backyard this morning. Unfortunately no photo. He moved too quickly. But he was pecking like a chicken under my bird feeders looking for a few scraps. Then a rabbit ran after him and he flew away! Location: Television Road, Peterborough Observer: Brenda Ibey

Here is an up-date on the Stony Lake eagles’ nest. I’ve been disappointed the past 2-3 months because I haven’t seen the Bald Eagles return to the nest they appeared to be building on the island out from my home. Today, I saw a pair of Ospreys there. It looked Read more…

Yesterday, April 19, Jerry Ball and I explored the roads north of Bobcaygeon and Buckhorn and found a wide variety of species. We covered Ties Mountain Road, Charlie Allen Road, Tates Road, Galway-Cavendish Forest Access Road, Pencil Lake Road and Salmon Lake Road. Butterflies recorded were 140+ Red Admirals (including Read more…

Bob Prentice and I went looking for butterflies today and found eleven species on Hubble Rd, Devil

I was pleased to see and hear a Hermit Thrush while walking my dogs on the DePencier trail at TUNA this morning.. FIrst one for me this spring. Location: Trent University Nature Area Observer: Jennifer Budgell

This morning I walked the Trent Nature Area trails on the canal side of University Drive. Over the 2.5 hrs I was there, I saw at least three dozen Red Admirals and one American Lady. Obviously, they survived the -7C temperatures last night with no problem. Other species of interest Read more…

I, too, had Red Admirals flying in my backyard in London in astounding numbers, commencing last Saturday, April 14 in the afternoon. At first there were only a few, perhaps half-a-dozen. By 17:30 on Monday, April 16, my best guess is that there were between 75 – 100, at any Read more…

I live in Cornwall, and I experienced this same strange phenomena on Monday (April 16) evening. It occurred about 6 p.m. and I happened to look out on my balcony and saw many butterflies flying around the side of my building, some resting on my balcony. I live on the Read more…

Cool tempertures today (max: 9 C) made butterfly activity almost non-existent. There was only one report of a Red Admiral flying. Location: Peterborough Observer: Erica Nol

Today I saw large numbers of American Lady butterflies in Whitby. This close relative of the Red Admiral (same genus) is also migratory. It would appear that the Ladies are also part of this huge butterfly movement from the southern states northward into Canada. Location: Whitby Observer: Tony Bigg

I have been seeing Red Admiral butterflies since the week of April 9th in the east end of GTA. Location: Greater Toronto Area (east end) Observer: Eileen Randall

Colin Jones reports that currently, in what is probably an unprecedented mass migration (both in numbers and timing

When I arrived home at noon I noticed a butterly in our front garden so I got my camera to take a pic. When I returned outside there was a profusion of butterlies – mostly Red Admirals, with at least one Question Mark in the garden . In all the Read more…