Drew Monkman

Jerry Ball, a local butterfly expert and enthusiast, reports having observed 48 record-early species of butterflies so far this year. On average butterflies are emerging about 12 days ahead of schedule. He notes that European Skipper, a species that is usually at its most abundant right now, is already pretty Read more…

Did you ever wonder what happened to the Cliff Swallows that used to nest under the bridge joining the east and west banks of Trent University? For a few years a small number nested under the road bridge that is presently being worked on. This year a thriving colony has Read more…

The final count for the recent Sunderland Monarch Butterfly Count was 186. Average for previous 13 years is 112.6 with a high of 388 in 2007 and low of 10 in 2004. So 2010 is well above average. Sunderland is located north of Oshawa. Location: Sunderland, Ontario Observer: James Kamstra Read more…

On a drive down to Port Hope today, I saw two Monarch Butterflies along Highway 28 and two more in the town of Port Hope. One was arriving from having probably just crossed Lake Ontario. I also had a Monarch on Purple Coneflower blooms in our garden on July 2. Read more…

Today I heard my first cicada of the summer calling. This is the earliest I’ve ever heard these insects call. Location: Edmison Heights Public School, Royal Drive Observer: Drew Monkman

My wife Dale & I went out for a boat ride on Buckhorn Lake. As we passed through Harrington Narrows and just past Curve Lake there is a small island where the Trent Severn Waterway splits into two directions. We noticed a big bird perched on a dead tree. I Read more…

Purple Coneflower and Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) are now in bloom in some neighbourhood gardens. At least one variety of hosta has been flowering for several days now. Location: Westbrook Drive, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

Eastern Bluebirds are nesting in Smith-Ennismore Township. There must be young in the nest, given the amount of food the parents are delivering. Images of the birds can be seen at: http://www.glenallenphotography.com/p202720605 Location: Smith-Ennismore Township Observer: Glen Alen

American Toad tadpoles, that we raised in the classroom, have now reached the adult stage and no longer show any tail at all. They are about 1/2″ in length and very dark in colour with a few lighter speckles. Location: eggs were laid on a pool tarp on McCrae Drive Read more…

Lilies, such as Tiger and Stella d’Oro, are now in bloom. Local strawberries are ripe, as well, a full two weeks ahead of the average date, according to the owner of Caza Berry Farm. Location: Edmison Heights Public School, Marina Blvd. Observer: Drew Monkman

We have a pair of trumpeter swans on Kent’s Bay. They are nesting in the swampy end of the Bay! We would certainly like to see them come back, even with their bugling during the wee hours of the day. Location: Kent’s Bay, Otonabee River, near Hiawatha First Nation Observer: Read more…

According to the website “Science Daily” (June 11, 2010)

Common Milkweed is in bloom. On average, we see the first blooms around July 1st! Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

We now have two pairs of American Robins nesting in our yard. One nest is in a Burning Bush along the east side of the house, while the other nest is under the soffit on a nesting platform on the south side of the house – maybe 60 feet away! Read more…

The Canada (Common) Elderberry in our yard has started blooming, at least three weeks ahead of average date. Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

Aerial insectivores are doing well around here. I have one or more pairs of whip-poor-wills singing nitely. Location: Western end of Zion Line, near Millbrook Observer: Jim Lloyd

This evening I heard a Common Nighthawk, my first of the spring in Peterborough. Black Locust and Ox-eye Daisy are in full bloom, a full two weeks ahead of their average flowering date. Black Cherry has already finished blooming! Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

A good sized Black Bear (looked like a female) was taking a drink at a very small pond on the north side of County Road 8 near Side Road 5, close to the village of Douro this afternoon. We watched as it drank then stood on its hind legs observing Read more…

We have seen a great crested flycatcher several times this week on Birchview Rd. near McCrackens Landing. Location: McCrackens Landing, Stoney Lake Observer: Lynne and Len Cotton

This morning, there were 6 Black Terns at the Lakefield Marsh. Location: Lakefield Observer: Colin Jones

Today, I was birding just off of Stewart Line, west of County Rd. 10. At least three Blue-winged Warblers were calling and seemingly on territory. Location: Stewart Line Observer: Drew Monkman

We observed a large flock of barn swallows adjacent to a hay field and forest edge a few kms outside village of Bethany last early evening just as the sun was setting – perhaps as many as a hundred barn swallows swooped in the sky above us presumably gobbling up Read more…

This morning, I visited the Cavan Swamp Wildlife Area (North side off of Parkhill/1st Line). A Rose-breasted Grosbreak, Purple Finches (male and two females), Kingfisher, Yellow Warbler, and a Sora (heard) were observed. Three male Bobolinks and several Kestrels were also seen on 5th Line East of Chemong. Location: Parkhill Read more…

This evening at about 19:15, Don Sutherland and I noted a large number (150+) of Chimney Swifts swirling about over Charlotte St. in Peterborough. By 19:25, virtually all of them had entered a chimney in the White House Hotel on Charlotte St. It was quite an impressive sight to see Read more…