We have a peanut feeder in front of the kitchen sink. We have had Hairy, Downy and occasionally a female Pileated visiting the feeder. This past week or so both Downy and Hairy have been bringing their young. Both seem to have male and female babies, and the parents are Read more…
This year we’ve had at least four Painted Turtles which all came up late afternoon on June 9th. We covered over three possible nest sites, though one is never sure if eggs have been deposited. One unknown nest excavated in a grassy slope has been raided. And for the first Read more…
A preview of summer nature events with a nod to climate change Now that summer has officially arrived, I want to look ahead to some of the events in nature that we can expect over the next three months. As a result of climate change, however, the actual timing of Read more…
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (1) – Reported Jun 27, 2018 08:58 by Martyn Obbard – Gannon Pond, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Crouched at water’s edge. Yellow legs. Black crown, white breast. Good look with binoculars.”
by Amy Harder, in AXIOS – June 25, 2018 Climate change is intangible and complicated, which makes it an easy target for our era of fake news. Why it matters: Addressing climate change, whether through government or private action, requires acknowledging a problem exists. Misinformation about the science, including Read more…
Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) (1) – Reported Jun 22, 2018 07:10 by Chris Risley – Hwy 38 at RR crossing, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “heard calling and giving whistle” American Redstart & House Wren (June 20) Lots of American Read more…
Last of a three-part series exploring local nature destinations This week, I will conclude my exploration of some of the best nature-viewing areas in the Kawarthas – and beyond – by looking at destinations located mostly south of Peterborough. Almost all of these areas offer excellent opportunities to see a Read more…
Purple Finches (since early May) This year, for the first time, we have Purple Finches coming to our feeder. They arrived in early May. I first noted a male, who showed a cinnamon, chestnut-reddish coloured head and body which morphed into a rose/raspberry by the end of May. The females Read more…
Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) (1) – Reported Jun 15, 2018 07:04 by Luke Berg – Deer Bay Reach Road, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 1 Audio – Comments: “Singing, east side of the road at 155 Deer Bay Reach Rd. Got a fairly good look at it Read more…
Part 2 of a 3 part series This week, I would like to continue my exploration of some of the best nature-viewing areas in the Kawarthas by looking at destinations located mostly north of Peterborough. I have started in the northeast with the Carden Alvar near Kirkfield and worked eastward Read more…
Part 1 of a 3 part series on local nature destinations People often ask me where they should go to see birds and other wildlife. My initial answer is usually “just about anywhere.” Although this is true, I realize that a little more detail might be helpful. This week I’d Read more…
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) (1) – Reported Jun 03, 2018 05:57 by Chris Risley – Jones Quarter Line and Bland Line, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “previously reported, heard giving dry buzz song, then seen” Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1) Read more…
After almost 8 months of wintering over, moisturizing, hovering and nail biting, the moth has finally emerged from the cocoon I found in the leaf litter last October. I even took the cocoon camping with me – I did not want to miss the big event! Introducing my Polyphemus moth. Read more…
I came from the Coe Hill area and we had 2 kinds of large turtles (still do). Both types are very dark, grow to about 16″ – 18″ in diameter, very aggressive. The main difference is one has a smooth shell and one has a spiked shell, 1 row on Read more…
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) (1) – Reported Jun 01, 2018 12:33 by Thomas Unrau – Big (Boyd/Chiminis) Island (Kawartha Land Trust), Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Good visual id- full white wing bars. Good song” Sora (Porzana carolina) (2) – Read more…