Drew Monkman

Sightings

Townsend’s Solitaire still present

Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) (1) – Reported Nov 30, 2014 13:54 by Luke Berg – stakeout Townsend’s Solitaire, Baillieboro–158 Hannah Road (2014), Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20733003 – Comments: “Continuing. <iframe src=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/95310945@N06/15731052840/player/” width=”640″ height=”480″ frameborder=”0″></iframe>” Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) (1) – Reported Nov 30, 2014 10:00 by Robert Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsDecember 1, 2014 ago

Sightings

Screech Owl in nesting box and Golden Eagle sighting

Six years after putting the thing up, an Eastern Screech Owl has finally moved into a box that I had installed near Stoney Lake. It was on November 14th 2014 when I looked out my friend`s cottage window and saw the little owl’s puckered face staring back at me. Screech Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 30, 2014 ago

Sightings

Why might Gray Squirrels gather stones?

I have recently received several emails recently describing Gray Squirrels gathering stones. There is very little on the Internet about this behaviour, so it would be interesting to know if other people have seen it too. Below, you will also find a possible explanation for this behaviour from Don Sutherland, Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 30, 2014 ago

Sightings

Flurry of Barred Owl sightings

My husband and I saw this Barred Owl this morning along County Road 6, near the little convenience store/gas station at around 8.30 am when we drove back from our morning walk at Petroglyphs Prov. Park. Thought you would like it 🙂 Sabine Overink On Friday evening (Nov. 28) at Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 29, 2014 ago

Sightings

Yellow-rumped Warbler on Franmor Drive

I thought you might be interested in this Yellow-rumped Warbler sighting. My daughter, Sue, took the picture on Friday, November 28 at our house. Hoping it will be around for the Christmas Bird Count! Maxine Prentice 7-300 Franmor Drive, Peterborough

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 29, 2014 ago

Sightings

Pretty Boy, the Ruffed Grouse

I know nothing about Ruffled Grouse but thought you might like this story. Monday was a nice warm day and we worked outside all day decorating pots and putting up the Christmas lights. Around noon I wanted to go to clip some more branches that I see on my morning Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 29, 2014 ago

Sightings

First report of a Snowy Owl in the Kawarthas this fall

We spotted our first Snowy Owl of the year on Saturday (November 22) on Elm Tree Road, just north of the Little Britain Road, southwest of Lindsay.

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 26, 2014 ago

Sightings

Extremely rare Townsend’s Solitaire – native to B.C. – seen southeast of Bailieboro

Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) (1) – Reported Nov 23, 2014 11:25 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Hannah Rd, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Very obliging bird hanging out on grasses at edge of road, on fence and in roadside shrubs. Once I got out of my Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 24, 2014 ago

Sightings

Interesting gulls to be seen on Little Lake

This afternoon I went to Little Lake from 4 – 4:30 pm and had 3 adult Lesser Black-backed and 1 adult Iceland Gull among the 100 ring-billed and 400 herring gulls present. Also at my feeder today I had 5 White-throated Sparrows (continuing birds for the past couple weeks) and Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 23, 2014 ago

Sightings

Flowering crab trees decorated with Wild Turkeys on Patricia Crescent

Wild Turkeys are often walking around our neighbourhood. We live on Patricia Crescent, just north of Lily Lake Road and Fairbairn Street. They love the fruit on the flowering crab trees. Lowell Lunden

By Drew Monkman, 10 years ago

Sightings

Baltimore Oriole sighting!

I was surprised to look out yesterday morning to see a Baltimore Oriole feeding at my finch feeder. I was able to shoot a few photos through the dirty window, I watched it for about 10 minutes, then it flew off, and hasn’t been seen again since. I believe it Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 years ago

Sightings

More redpolls and siskins

I had at least three Common Redpolls at my feeder in Lakefield today, along with many Amercian Goldfinches and about a dozen Pine Siskins. Tony Bigg, Lakefield

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 22, 2014 ago

Sightings

Still time to see rare Brant and Carolina Wren

Brant (Branta bernicla) (1) CONFIRMED – Reported Nov 19, 2014 11:45 by Ed Poropat – Burleigh Falls, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Continuing juvenile bird” Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) (1) – Reported Nov 19, 2014 07:00 by Luke Berg – Luke’s Yard, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 20, 2014 ago

Columns

Reclaiming the natural world – New project with Jacob Rodenburg of Camp Kawartha is a nature guide for kids, families, classrooms….

“Take one child. Place outdoors in nearby green spaces. Leave for several hours at a time. Repeat daily. Sprinkle in a dash of adventure. Fold in a generous portion of exploration and discovery. Top with wonder and awe. Let rise…” Not long ago, my friend Jacob and I took a Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 20, 2014 ago

Uncategorized

PowerPoint: Climate Change in the Kawarthas – Part 1

This PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of how climate change is already affecting the flora and fauna of the Kawarthas. It also highlights recent extreme events as well as future changes that are being predicted by scientists. Part 1CC in Kawarthas – latest

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 20, 2014 ago

Sightings

More wonderful experiences with Gray Squirrels

I was happy to see your Nov. 13 column on Gray Squirrels. Having on two occasions been in close contact and cared for squirrels, I can say that they are a very interesting and smart animal. Each one has its own personality. In the 90’s, while living in Scarborough, we Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 19, 2014 ago

Sightings

Rare Brant at Little Lake Cemetery

At 7:30 AM on Tuesday, there was a single Brant on the river, adjacent to the cemetery. Ken Rumble

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 19, 2014 ago

Sightings

63rd Peterborough Christmas Bird Count – Sunday December 14th, 2014

Regulars, past participants, newcomers to the area, and newcomers to birding, all are welcome to participate in this long-standing annual winter bird census. They will be partnered with more experienced local birders. More eyes result in more birds seen! Be prepared for a long day and possibly cold weather. The Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 16, 2014 ago

Sightings

Swimming with Snapping Turtles: the video

My son spotted a Snapping Turtle swimming through our beach on day. I grabbed the camera, mask and snorkel and followed it for over 30 minutes. I was also able to make a video. For most of the time I was within arms reach of the turtle. It casually observed Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 16, 2014 ago

Sightings

Rare Cattle Egret near Millbrook: Off to Napanee

A rare Cattle Egret was reported to me on November 15, by Alan Bigelow. He has a farm at 840 Larmer Line near Millbrook, almost adjacent to the 115. He says the bird has been present for a week and is usually seen in the field with his cattle. It Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 16, 2014 ago

Sightings

The amazing story of Whirley, the Gray Squirrel

Your article on squirrels was a very interesting read. A few years ago, I chanced upon a baby squirrel (eyes still closed) laying on the ground in my neighbour’s backyard. Through the supervision of a provincially recognized squirrel rehabilitator, my family raised the squirrel (Whirley), and re-released her in our Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 15, 2014 ago

Sightings

Downtown Peterborough Peregrine seen once again

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (1) – Reported Nov 14, 2014 13:20 by Michael Oldham – Peterborough–Robinson Place, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “continuing adult, perched on SE corner of S tower, spotted by M.J. Oldham. Bird departed but had returned to same perch by 1430 h when Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 15, 2014 ago

Sightings

Coyote takes a stroll down Maple Crescent

Yesterday, Nov. 13, at around noon, I watched a Coyote trot down Maple Crescent in West End Peterborough (near Wallis Dr. and Parkhill Road). It was a particularly attractive animal with a very furry mane. The Coyote investigated several backyards but didn’t seem concerned by my presence. Sue Hill, Merino Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 14, 2014 ago

Columns

Gray Squirrels in action

Love them or hate them, nearly everyone has an opinion on Gray Squirrels. Maybe you are the type who adores these animals, feeds them and gives them silly names. On the other hand, you may fall into the camp of those who curse them for eating up the birdseed or Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 13, 2014 ago

Sightings

Great waterfowl-watching to be had right now

Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) (1) – Reported Nov 11, 2014 12:00 by Brendan Boyd – Otonabee River–between Lock 22 and 23, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Previously reported. Standing in group of Canadas at Lock 22.” Brant (Branta bernicla) (1) – Reported Nov 11, 2014 09:33 by Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 12, 2014 ago

Sightings

Brant at Burleigh Falls

Brant (Branta bernicla) (1) – Reported Nov 07, 2014 15:56 by Matthew Tobey – Lock 28 Boat Ramp N of Burleigh Falls, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “HY (juvenile) bird; not associating with other waterfowl. Did not appear nervous; upon arriving the bird was in water but Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 8, 2014 ago

Sightings

A wonderful story of helping a Species at Risk, the Snapping Turtle

Earlier this year, on June 17, we witnessed a Snapping Turtle laying her eggs in our gravel turning circle. We protected the area with wire mesh weighted down at the edges. We had first indications of hatching when a small hole appeared 16 weeks later. Between October 8th-14th, we recorded Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 7, 2014 ago

Sightings

Peregrine makes another appearance in downtown Peterborough; early shrike sighting; more Snow Buntings

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (1) – Reported Nov 06, 2014 10:40 by Chris Risley – Downtown – MNR Building, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “sitting on Northwest corner of MNR building” Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) (1) – Reported Nov 02, 2014 15:15 by Peterborough County Birds Database Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 7, 2014 ago

Sightings

Uncommon Eastern Towhee at local feeder

We had an Eastern Towhee on the ground today under our bird feeder. It, along with juncos, sparrows and others we scavenging seed that has fallen on the ground. Ralph and Mathilde Colley, Peterborough

By Drew Monkman, 10 years ago

Columns

A November state of mind: Taking time to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature slowing down

We don’t often think of November as a particularly interesting month. For many, it’s simply the grey, damp interval between the dazzling leaves of October and the swirl of lights and decorations of December. For me, however, late fall has always been a favourite time of year. I love the Read more…

By Drew Monkman, 10 yearsNovember 6, 2014 ago

Drew Monkman

I am a retired teacher, naturalist and writer with a love for all aspects of the natural world, especially as they relate to seasonal change.