Sightings
Bloodroot in full bloom
The Bloodroot has been blooming for a few days now on the rail-trail near Cumberland Drive in the north end of Peterborough. It has grown in size! Very beautiful! Margo Hughes
Sightings
More of Jeff Keller’s great bird photography
On April 15th, I was able to get some shots of Green-winged Teal, Wood Ducks and a Belted Kingfisher on Lynch Road, just east of Lakefield. Jeff Keller, Bridgenorth
Sightings
Garter snake “mating balls” just north of Peterborough
On April 14, at around 4:00 PM, I stopped at the corner of Woodland Drive and the Lakefield Highway because the spring peepers, chorus and leopard frogs were calling. I walked to the edge of the water on the north side of Woodland. I was standing on the shoulder of Read more…
Sightings
Butterfly-watching in northern Peterborough County
About two weeks ago, in the northeastern part of Peterborough County, I saw the following species. APRIL 14: Hubble Road – 3 Eastern Comma butterflies; Sandy Lake Road – 1 Eastern Comma and 1 Mourning Cloak. APRIL 15: Charlie Allan Road – 6 Compton Tortiseshell; Galway/Cavendish Forest Access Road – Read more…
Sightings
Late April sightings at Beavermead and Roger’s Cove
I went out for a walk on April 20 at Beavermead and Roger’s Cove in the beautiful sunshine. In Roger’s Cove, I found a patch of violets in bloom, on the right side of the trail near the locks. Carrying on towards Beavermead, I saw a Common Loon fishing in Read more…
Sightings
Stopping window collisions: screening, bamboo stakes + a bit of ingenuity
Just read your tweet about bird – window collisions. Our dining room and living room windows line up exactly, with bird feeders outside the dining room window. Last fall two white-crowned sparrows killed themselves on the living room windows, and we’d had frequent non-fatal collisions on the dining room windows. Read more…
Columns
The wonder of pollination
The lovely spring weather we’ve enjoyed this past week has caused an explosion of plant growth. Buds are swelling, grass is turning green, and a half-dozen species of wildflowers are in bloom. The blossoms are already attracting the first bees. Although I’ve witnessed this rebirth of nature over too many Read more…
Sightings
April is sparrow month
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) (1) – Reported Apr 14, 2016 07:31 by Donald Sutherland – Peterborough–Trent Rotary Rail Trail, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “singing, fields E of S entrance to Promise Rock Trail” I heard my first Fox Sparrow of the spring on April 13 on Read more…
Columns
PATHWAY TO STEWARDSHIP: A local nature framework for children and youth aims to foster the stewards of tomorrow
How do we raise engaged and concerned citizens in the 21st century? How can we teach our children to care for each other as well as the land, water and other species? Who will be the conservationists of the future when the average child can identify over 300 corporate logos, Read more…
Sightings
Osprey has returned to Young’s Point nest
On Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 5:00 PM, I saw one Osprey on the nesting platform on the Highway 28 bridge at Young’s Point. I’ve been heading up to Apsley twice a month all winter and this is the first time I’ve seen any activity at this nest. Sheelagh Hysenaj
Sightings
Some sightings of late
We returned to our home on Dodworth Island on Stony Lake on Monday and immediately filled the four feeders. The activity is the most ever….We have 10 usual species but two things stand out. There are no Common Redpolls, but we have over 50 Pine Siskins. At least one Osprey Read more…
Columns
The Case for Indoor Cats
Less than a year ago, we said goodbye to our 16-year-old cat, Polly. She had lived a long, healthy life, but it was still gut wrenching to finally have her put down. We loved her quirky, independent personality, how she was aware of anything that was new in the house, Read more…
Sightings
Spring Peeper chorus has begun
I heard my first Spring Peeper chorus for me this year on March 31 at the 9th Line and County Road 32 (east bank of Otonabee towards Lakefield. Susan Chow