The first thing that strikes you about Boyd Island is its sheer size. At 1,167 acres or five square kilometres, it is the largest undeveloped – but still unprotected – island in southern Ontario. Located just east of Bobcaygeon at the north end of Pigeon Lake and only 20 kilometres Read more…
I photographed this spectacular American Robin on October 3rd. It has been gracing our yard since last spring. It built a nest on the downspout of our garage, and there were three, possibly four babies in the nest. Earlier in the summer, the robin still displayed some darker feathers. As Read more…
We have a Red-bellied Woodpecker at our feeder in west-end Peterborough this morning. It is coming to the mixed seed and sunflower seed feeders. We’ve never had one previously! Robert Moos Maple Crescent (N.B. Red-bellied Woodpeckers rarely turn up at city feeders. They are, however, becoming more common in the Read more…
Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) (3) – Reported Oct 24, 2015 10:40 by Ben Taylor – Briar Hill Bird Sanctuary, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “2 white, 1 blue/black”
I found a Dark-eyed Junco on my lawn today, and I think it flew into my window so I picked it up. That’s not the first time I have picked up a bird this season. At my cottage two birds flew into the big window so my dad picked them Read more…
A neighbour tells us he saw a Fisher along the Otonabee shoreline just north of Hiawatha at Kent’s Bay! We have noted the rabbit population is diminished. Also our cat disappeared in early August, I had let him out early morning, still dark. MNR state they are unaware of Fishers Read more…
Despite sub-zero temperatures, the PFN had a highly successful bird outing this morning. The bright sun and lack of wind made birding conditions very pleasant. With the heavy frost, leaves were raining down all morning. The highlight of the outing was a flock of 16 Sandhill Cranes flying south of Read more…
Late September through to the end of October is usually the busiest time of year at my backyard feeders. This year is no exception. At least two dozen White-throated Sparrows, along with lesser numbers of White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Blue Jays, House Finches, American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals and Black-capped Chickadees Read more…
Two Pine Grosbeaks had returned on Sunday. Both appeared to be female or young but the light was from the back so mainly a silhouette was seen. On Saturday White-throated Sparrows arrived en mass and are still apparent. Bill Snowden, Ennismore
Ben Shearer and I walked the 10km of the 401 from the Escott-Rockport Road (west of Mallorytown) up to and back from the Whatever-it’s-called water body a km and a bit W of La Rue Mills Road, and we found a great diversity of species: among Mammals – Muskrat, Raccoon, Read more…
While walking in Jackson Park last Sunday (Oct. 4) in the late morning, I saw the most amazing swarming of Common Grackles. There were thousands of them. What a spectacle! It was like the Hitchcock movie, The Birds. Everyone was in awe and the noise was deafening. I’ve seen large Read more…
Had my first Dark-eyed Junco feeding under the feeder today, October 7th. Bill Snowden, Ennismore Note: Our first juncos arrived October 9th, along with a few more White-crowned Sparrows. Yesterday, the shrubby fields and woodlot edges in the Cavan area west of Peterborough were full of flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Read more…
Canada is one of the safest, healthiest and best-educated countries in the world. This has not come about by accident. A long-standing commitment to making decisions based on evidence, not politics, has gone a long way to helping to build our prosperity. In recent years, however, the federal government has Read more…
White-crowned Sparrow at feeder this morning, October 5. Bill Snowden, Ennismore.
Philadelphia Vireo – Reported Sep 30, 2015 07:27 by Bill Crins – Peterborough–Beavermead Park, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: Mourning Warbler – Reported Oct 01, 2015 10:00 by Basil Conlin – Peterborough–Beavermead Park, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “black cap with olive back and yellow underside, Read more…
Sitting down at the computer this week to write my column was a real pleasure, especially after an absence of 10 months. I used my time away to work on a nature activity guide entitled “The Big Book of Nature Activities: A Year-round Guide to Outdoor Learning”, which should be Read more…