May 2014

Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) (1) – Reported May 16, 2014 15:10 by Peterborough County Birds Database – Peterborough–Millennium Park, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.3028834,-78.31688&ll=44.3028834,-78.31688 – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18442694 – Comments: “foraging in upper branches of maple on S side Robinson Place” Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) (6) – Reported May 17, Read more…

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) (2) – Reported May 12, 2014 07:20 by Ian Sturdee – Cordova Lake Routes 1 and 2, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.5834987,-77.8276634&ll=44.5834987,-77.8276634 – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18353892 – Comments: “Flyover. Buffy-orange upper neck.” Sora (Porzana carolina) (1) – Reported May 10, 2014 10:23 by Peterborough County Birds Database Read more…

Marsh Marigolds are in full bloom in many locations in the County. My yard is full of  White-crowned Sparrows feeding on spilled seed from the feeders and grass seed recently sown. Bill Snowden, Ennismore

Remember our scarlet cups from last year? Well, for the 2nd year in a row I found one at Burnham Woods, so I think we can conclude that they are a regular–just hard to spot. Very early May must be the time here. By 8 May my specimen had been Read more…

On May 9, on my way home from Lang Pioneer Village, I saw a flash of red in my peripheral vision. I pulled to a stop , looked out my side window and in about 10 seconds, within a circular space of about 20 metres , I saw 3 Rose-breasted Read more…

The floor of my maple bush is full of beautiful yellow Trout Lilies and white Hepatica. There are Wild Leek everywhere. Spring is awesome. The peepers are calling, the blackflies have arrived and the first fiddleheads are just peaking out. Going to get some today (May 8) or tomorrow morning Read more…

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) (1) – Reported May 09, 2014 09:09 by Matthew Tobey – Airport Rd- Railroad, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “flycatching from prominent perch overlooking wetland; dark vest readily visible” Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) (1) – Reported May 09, 2014 07:30 by Luke Berg Read more…

The trees along the Parkway Trail between Hilliard and Cumberland were buzzing with warblers this morning, including Blackburnian, Yellow-rumped , American Redstart and Black-throated Green. There were almost certainly many more kinds than I was able to identify. I also saw a Gray Catbird.   This warm front certainly seems to Read more…

I have had a lot  of bird activity in my backyard this morning.  As I write this (08:50) there are four Baltimore Orioles in one tree! I have also had an American Redstart, three Chestnut-sided Warblers, a Pine Warbler, a Magnolia Warbler, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, White-crowned Sparrows Read more…

May 7 – Blue-gray Gnatcatcher this morning at Meadowvale Pk. TASSS just west of trail – nearby were 5 Palm Warblers and Warbling Vireos. Savannah Sparrow and Eastern Meadowlark were seen below the football field. At Lakefield Campground marsh: Eastern Kingbird, and amorous pairs of Northern Harrier and Pileated Woodpecker. Read more…

Walking the TransCanada Trail from Nelson’s Rd to Settlers Line and back on the afternoon of May 7, I found a small flock of Rusty Blackbirds near Nelson Rd, Wilson’s Snipe were winnowing in the same area, three Virginia Rails were calling in the marsh in the south-east corner at Read more…

This morning in the fields and woods behind my house were Bobolink, Baltimore Oriole, Palm Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Cedar Waxwing, Warbling Vireo, House Wren and Red-breasted Grosbeak. Kim Clark – Bethany The first Baltimore Oriole of the season has just arrived to eat the oranges we put out for him. Read more…

In recent days, we have had a Brown Thrasher hanging out under our sunflower seed feeder. The bird throws the dirt with its beak.  The breast has an almost pinky tinge to it – a nice looking species! We are in Peterborough but have conservation land behind us & a Read more…

There were four Warbling Vireos singing in Lakefield Park yesterday morning. Tony Bigg

I stepped outside to get the paper this morning and was greeting by the bubbly song of a House Wren, my first of the spring. This species nests in our yard most years. Lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglet song in the yard this morning, too. Several flocks of Cedar Waxwing in Read more…

May 5th sightings at 10-11 am at Beavermead/Ecopark included Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green and Black and White warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-throated sparrows, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Eastern Phoebe, Brown Thrasher and a Rusty Blackbird.  – Dave Milsom, Peterborough A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak is at the feeder today in Read more…

I live southwest of the village of Millbrook on the 4th (Zion Line) at Elgar Drive. Just south and west of us on the north flank of the Oak Ridges Moraine are some large open fields that have not been in cultivation for many years and there are numerous bird Read more…

About 20 people braved very cool temperatures and strong winds Sunday morning to take part in the weekly Peterborough Field Naturalists’ Sunday Morning Bird Walk. Here are a few of the highlights: Stop 1: Centre Line of Smith (Cty Rd 24) @ 5th Line – Northern Waterthrush (3), Common Loon Read more…

During late March, I took daily photos of a White-tailed Deer that had been killed by Coyotes nearby on lower Chemong Lake. It was very interesting to see the daily changes in the carcass. If you look through the various photos you will observe several photos showing clumps of hair Read more…

On April 30 in my backyard at Chemong Road and Reid Street, there was a Fox Sparrow kicking up a storm as it fed. Two Yellow-rumped Warblers were in the yard, as well. Marilyn Freeman

Feeding on the lawn yesterday were two Magnolia Warblers, both a male and a female.  They were probably eating midges. Bloodroot , Sanginaria canadenis, is in bloom. Bill Snowden, Ennismore