Drew Monkman

I saw an Eastern Hog-nosed Snake early this month in Petroglyphs Provincial Park.  I was able to get a picture of it. Observer: Sabine Overink

an entirely white, albino Gray Squirrel was seen and photographed today Location: Franmore Drive near the Peterborough Golf and Country Club Observer: Charles Hamilton

An opossum was observed shortly after midnight outside a house on Rice Lake. It quickly scurried up a tree. Screech owls – up to four at a time – are being heard regularly in this area as well. Location: SW end of Rice Lake Observer: Bill Stone

I photographed a male Red-bellied Woodpecker in my yard today. Location: South Monaghan township Observer: David Harries

Migrating white-throated sparrows have arrived in our yard right on schedule. Today at least six of them were in our Canada elderberry tree, eating the black berries. Location: Maple Cres., Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

Dozens of Fringed Gentian in bloom Location: rail-trail between Highway 7 and Ackison Drive Observer: Drew Monkman

Seven Great White Egrets and two Green Herons in ponds on Beardsmore Road. The egrets were in the pond when we arrived, but shortly after flew into a tree at the end of the pond. After about 20 minutes they returned to the pond. Lately there have been a number Read more…

The past 3 nights we have seen Common Nighthawks circling and picking off insects about an hour before dusk… so I guess they are heading south .. a sure sign that fall is coming. Location: Buckhorn Lake at Kawartha Hideway Observer: J. Philpott

Considerable fall migration today. Redstarts, Yellow Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak (eating elderberries), numerous Blue Jays, and several Purple Finch in yard. Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

Giant Swallowtail on Echinacea in Peterborough garden. This is the first report of a Giant Swallowtail in Peterborough County. They do occur occasionally south of Rice Lake and west of here. Location: Burnham Street Peterborough Observer: Andrew Bigg

Snowy Tree Crickets calling every evening along Maple Crescent, Roper Drive and area. Seem more common than in other years. Monarchs regular at garden, mostly nectaring at Purple Coneflower and mauve coloured Phlox. Usually a Red Admiral present as well. Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

For the last week or so, we have had at least six immature American Robins in the yard. They are all adult-size and feeding on their own but still heavily spotted. I’m wondering where they’ve come from, since I didn’t see any small robin fledglings in our neighbourhood at all Read more…

Michelle and I road out to Lakefield on rail-trail. Wildflowers dominated by Queen-Anne’s-Lace and Tall Sweet Clover. Also fairly common and blooming were Viper Buglos, Common Milkweed (only a few still in flower), Black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye-Weed, Swamp Milkweed, White Water Lily and Early Goldenrod. Tartarian Honeysuckles, already laden with ripe Read more…

Five groups of observers found a total of 51 species of butterflies, a little above average, including two new species for the count

A pair of Sandhill Cranes were seen feeding in a field on Highway 507. Location: Highway 507 – 3 km north of Flynn’s Corners near Charlie Allen Road Observer: Haig Kelly

J. Cooper reports having a woodpecker at their oriole feeder and wanted to know if it’s unusual – Yes, it is unusual but certainly does occur. Lots of other birds will visit nectar feeders, too, including jays, wrens, buntings, chickadees and house finches. Bats may even give them a try. Read more…

Spent morning leading a nature walk at Camp Ponacka on Baptiste Lake, just east of Bancroft. Milkweed was in bloom in profusion along cottage roads and monarchs were much in evidence. In one roadside section, maybe 100 feet in length, the boys caught (and released) at least 40 caterpillars of Read more…

ciccada singing, Red Admiral butterflies common in garden Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

a man fishing on the Otonabee River near the Hunter Street Bridge observed a large muskellunge catch and eat a half-grown mallard duckling Location: Otonabee River Observer: Mario Hodder