A dozen Pine Grosbeaks were feeding in the trees in the Lakefield Campsite beside the marsh this lunchtime. The number of Common Goldeneyes in and south of Lakefield has steadily climbed this last week as they gradually inch northwards. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was hunting around Clementi Rd. Location: Lakefield Observer: Read more…
I have had a female Pine Grosbeak at my bird feeder at the Peterborough West Animal Hospital twice in the last week. I don’t know if I have ever seen one up close before, but I am certain that this is what it is as it looks exactly like the Read more…
Climate change, herbicides and agriculture conspire against a childhood touchstone Click to view column
1 male Hooded Merganser with 3 male Common Goldeneye on Otonabee river in stretch of open water, seen by walking down path at the end of Carolyn street; follow the ATV tracks to the rivers edge where you can see open water. Location: Johnston Drive, Peterborough Observer: Matthew Tobey
I was amazed to see a Brown-headed Cowbird at my feeder. They are usually just here in the spring & summer. It was eating my songbird mix. Location: Bailieboro Observer: Sandy Kirkland
Recently, I found mice in my garage and set some traps. The next morning I looked and two traps were full. I was going to take care of them later in the afternoon except they were gone when I got back – the mice and the traps. I suspect a Read more…
Today, I saw a Red-breasted Merganser (female-type) on the Otonabee River beside the Little Lake Cemetery. Location: SE corner of Little Lake Cemetery under old railway bridge Observer: Mike Burrell
Today, I saw a male Long-tailed Duck on the Otonabee River, just south of Trent University. Location: Otonabee River at Trent University Observer: Brendan Boyd
Since retiring I have developed some new habits and one is standing at the back window watching activity in the yard. After a recent light snowfall my wife, Lynn , threw some bread pieces on the deck. I was not surprised at all to see a large American Crow swoop Read more…
We feed the birds regularly in our yard and have an abundance of all the “usual” visitors to the feeders. Over the past few weeks, we have had regular visits from a Cooper’s Hawk. He/she is very large and is also predatory on the songbirds. We have had a few Read more…
Annual Great Backyard Bird Count begins Friday across Canada . . . and the world Click to view column
I was skiing with my wife along the York River in the south township of Algonquin Park today. We were bush-wacking through untracked snow and saw male and female Fisher tracks. The male seemed attentive to the female. Last year about the same time I saw similar tracks in the Read more…
Today at 2 pm, a mature Bald Eagle flew into a tree on my driveway. We’re on a farm just south of Norwood, ON. The bird stayed there for over an hour and I got some good photos. It’s the first Bald Eagle I’ve seen in Ontario Location: Norwood Observer: Read more…
Two families and Kawartha Heritage Conservancy work to reach long-term goals Click to view column
Since November, we have had two Gray Jays coming to our feeder. They were here again today, and I was able to get pictures of them. We also have a number of Coyotes in the area which have also been photographed. Location: 2167, County Road 507, just south of Mississauga Read more…
Just as we arrived home from Peterborough this afternoon, my husband saw a Barred Owl swoop down onto a branch not far from our kitchen. After sitting there for a while, it flew a short way, closer to another bird feeder. It then flew down and then back up to Read more…
Today at around 3 p.m. Dave and I came across a gaggle of Wild Turkeys north of Sharpe Line just west of Winslow Road where the hydro line crosses Sharpe Line. I counted over 180 birds and there may have been more. It is the largest group of wild turkeys Read more…
Kawartha-based group aims to add 3,000 acres to land is already stewards Click to view column
Last evening (Jan 30th) a lone Spring Peeper called repeatedly (and bravely) from the wetland behind our house near Janetville (south of Lindsay). Location: Janetville, south of LIndsay Observer: Meryl McGrath
The high today hit a record 12.6 C in Peterborough, snapping the previous Jan. 30 record for Peterborough of 8.5 C set in 1988, according to Environment Canada. Location: Peterborough Observer: Environment Canada
Today at 2 p.m. I saw a Great Blue Heron flying over Millbrook. Location: Millbrook Observer: Ken Rumble
I found a large flock of Common Redpolls on Lynch’s Rock Road this afternoon that contained at least one Hoary Redpoll. At Petroglyphs PP I found a Barred Owl being mobbed by Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches. I also finally saw one of the Black-backed Woodpeckers that have been sighted Read more…
Today, at about 2:00 p.m. there were Pine Siskin 1, Common Redpoll 10 at my feeder. A flock of three Red Crossbills stopped briefly in the cedar trees outside my house and a flock of about 4 Pine Grosbeaks flew over. Also one of the female House Finches coming to Read more…
I was just outside getting some wood and noticed a fairly large bird across the lake near the open water on Upper Buckhorn Lake. I went inside and got the binoculars and sure enough it was a Bald Eagle feasting on a very large fish. What a majestic looking bird. Read more…
I picked up the carcass of an unfortunate Eastern Screech-Owl in Ecology Park today. It was likely killed by a larger owl. Location: Ecology Park, Peterborough Observer: Sean Smith
Replicating all of the natural world’s benefits would cost billions in the Kawarthas area alone Click to view column
Around midnight tonight, checked outside in my backyard near Keene just before turning in for the day and upon looking up at the Moon, what did I see but a beautiful and complete Lunar Halo or ring around the Moon. This one was bright enough that I could see the Read more…
I live in Ennismore and 2 weeks ago for 3 straight days (JAN 21, 22, 23) I witnessed just one Red-winged Blackbird hanging out in my backyard around my bird feeders. I was rather astonished as the arrival of the Red-winged Blackbird is usually a sure sign of spring, but Read more…
I had never seen a Red-bellied Woodpecker at our feeder before today. He feasted on the suet for about 10 minutes. Location: 43 Crestwood Avenue, Peterborough Observer: Penny Lewis
I saw a beautiful bird on my dogwood tree. First thing I saw was a bright yellow patch on it above the tail feathers, and another smaller patch on the side of the breast. It was sideways on to me. Its feathers were all puffed up, since it was really Read more…