Wood Ducks, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Mallards, Canada Geese, American Widgeon, Ring-necked Ducks, Scaup Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common Mergansers and Hooded Mergansers are all at Little Lake today. Location: Little Lake, Ptbo Observer: Ken Rumble
March-first of season for me Northern Flicker and first I’ve ever had eating suet (north of TASSS). Thought I heard a Killdeer over Little Lk. Location: TASSS, Little Lake Observer: Sean Smith
Today the trees were full of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles and European Starlings.. just arrived. Heard a Killdeer flying in the area as well. The waters at Gannons Narrows (County Road 16/Lakehurst Road)are really open now .. full of diving ducks, Canada Geese. Great birding for sure. You can park Read more…
A small flock of Common Grackles was in downtown Lakefield today. Jerry Ball and I saw half-a-dozen Killdeer on Lakeshore Rd between Newcastle and Port Hope today so they should be in the county any time now. We did have just one Horned Lark at Cty Rd 2 and Scrivens Read more…
At my feeders today I had two male Brown-headed Cowbirds and a male Red-winged Blackbird – yay – spring is near. Kim Clark – Bethany Location: Bethany Observer: Kim Clark
First heard, than saw through the fog a flock of swans (Trumpeter?) flying over Fothergill Island in Pigeon Lake heading southwest. Also, neighbours have seen several robins today. Location: Fothergill Island, Piegeon Lake Observer: Rose Rogers
Yesterday, there was a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings in Beavermead Park. They were working the trees with the dried up black fruit along the river. Definitely not Cedar Waxwings. Location: Beavermead Park Observer: Larry Love
Today at noon I had a quick look at Little Lake to find a good assortment of ducks including 2 American Wigeon, 5 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Ring-necked Ducks some Buffleheads and the big find was a single Male Canvasback that flew in during my visit. In addition there were the Read more…
Walking my dog this morning, alongside the Lakefield Marsh, I was glad to hear the calls of half-a-dozen Red-winged Blackbirds. Also the Canada Geese had become very vocal, choosing mates, and disputing territories. Yesterday a male Northern Harrier was quartering the marsh where they normally breed. Two male Hooded Mergansers Read more…
This morning, I heard my first American Robin in the neighbourhood since late last fall. Not singing but calling loudly. Strong smell of Striped Skunk last night, too, as males are “on the prowl” searching out females. Location: Maple Cres. Observer: Drew Monkman
Singing Song Sparrow at Cunningham Blvd & Armour Rd., north of TASSS, and a singing Brown-headed Cowbird near there. Location: see email Observer: Sean Smith
I just had a flock of over 150 Bohemian Waxwings in my yard. They were feeding in the crab apple and getting birch seeds from a shed roof. Location: Tudor Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Sue Paradisis
I found another Cecropia Moth cocoon in the field . All the ones I found have been on Buckthorn although it is not a host plant listed. I have brought it home and hopefully it will emerge this spring. Have read that this species is in decline due to the Read more…
We came to our cottage on Lower Buckhorn Lake today and around 5:00 pm I spotted what I thought was an eagle flying in front of the cottage over the open water. We realized afterwards that this was actually an Osprey. Two of them landed on the ice at the Read more…
Naysayers from the right, left and in government undermine scientists’ crucial role Click to view column
Drake Red-breasted Merganser still on Otonabee, cemetary and rail bridge, below Little Lake. Near tail-less imm. Cooper’s Hawk in trees around St Georges United, McDonnell & George (this is at least the third time this winter I’ve had an accipiter in a downtown churchyard – perhaps I’m missing the message) Read more…
Today, I saw a dead Fisher on the west side of Highway 115 going south between Airport Road and Highway 28 exits. Location: Highway 115 Observer: Sherry Hambly
Starlings fighting over nest holes in light poles along east side of Ashburnham, below Lift Lock. Location: see email Observer: Sean Smith
I was quite surprised this morning to see three Eastern Bluebirds, two male and one female, in the grassy area under my neighbour
Last year’s unprecedented warm spell threw nature for a loop. Could it be repeated? Click to view column
Nearly all of Ontario’s Blue Jays elected to exit the province this fall, given the poor acorn crop. They have been overwintering in the central and southern U.S. Blue Jays only stay in the Kawarthas in large numbers during years when oaks produce a big acorn crop as they did Read more…
I had an Eastern Screech Owl, today, taking a snooze on a ledge outside my shed. “Early this morning my dog Earl, sitting on his couch in front of the HD window, as we call it, let out ear piercing barks that made his body bounce at an intruder in Read more…
From the vantage of Old Young’s Point Rd at Miller Creek, an adult (presumably the female) Bald Eagle could be seen sitting low in the nest. The other adult was observed in flight N over the open lead immediately east of the mouth of Miller Creek. Location: Young’s Point Road Read more…
At least three Northern Cardinals were singing lustfully at 8:00 a.m. this morning – all more or less at the same time – in our neighbourhood. This is the most cardinal song I’ve heard this “pre-spring.” Location: Maple Cres., Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman
On a fairly mild Saturday, sixteen sharp-eyed participants enjoyed a couple of hours looking for wintering birds and signs of spring along on the Otonabee River on the annual Peterbrough Field Naturalists’ Heritage Week field trip offering. The river has very few open areas from Lakefield to below Lock 19 Read more…
On the Friday of the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 15, I was fascinated to witness around noon, a Northern Shrike chase a common house sparrow right into the window I was observing from! The Northern Shrike then dropped to the veranda holding the sparrow down with its claws. It Read more…
Don Davis, a leading expert on Monarchs in Ontario, discussed the matter of growing milkweeds in gardens with the Chief Weed Inspector for Ontario, who stated that the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture does not have a problem with anyone growing milkweeds in their garden unless this is close to horticultural Read more…
Since November we have had a flock of up to 27 Evening Grosbeaks. 10 years ago we saw them regularly on their migration path but this is the first time since then. And surprisingly enough, they have stayed all winter. Far fewer Blue Jays than usual, however. Location: north shore Read more…
Three Evening Grosbeaks flew over the parking lot at the Kawartha Nordic Ski Club at about 2 p.m. today. Location: Haultain Observer: Drew Monkman