A preview of summer nature events with a nod to climate change Now that summer has officially arrived, I want to look ahead to some of the events in nature that we can expect over the next three months. As a result of climate change, however, the actual timing of Read more…
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (1) – Reported Jun 27, 2018 08:58 by Martyn Obbard – Gannon Pond, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Crouched at water’s edge. Yellow legs. Black crown, white breast. Good look with binoculars.”
by Amy Harder, in AXIOS – June 25, 2018 Climate change is intangible and complicated, which makes it an easy target for our era of fake news. Why it matters: Addressing climate change, whether through government or private action, requires acknowledging a problem exists. Misinformation about the science, including Read more…
Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) (1) – Reported Jun 22, 2018 07:10 by Chris Risley – Hwy 38 at RR crossing, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “heard calling and giving whistle” American Redstart & House Wren (June 20) Lots of American Read more…
Last of a three-part series exploring local nature destinations This week, I will conclude my exploration of some of the best nature-viewing areas in the Kawarthas – and beyond – by looking at destinations located mostly south of Peterborough. Almost all of these areas offer excellent opportunities to see a Read more…
Purple Finches (since early May) This year, for the first time, we have Purple Finches coming to our feeder. They arrived in early May. I first noted a male, who showed a cinnamon, chestnut-reddish coloured head and body which morphed into a rose/raspberry by the end of May. The females Read more…
Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) (1) – Reported Jun 15, 2018 07:04 by Luke Berg – Deer Bay Reach Road, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 1 Audio – Comments: “Singing, east side of the road at 155 Deer Bay Reach Rd. Got a fairly good look at it Read more…
Part 2 of a 3 part series This week, I would like to continue my exploration of some of the best nature-viewing areas in the Kawarthas by looking at destinations located mostly north of Peterborough. I have started in the northeast with the Carden Alvar near Kirkfield and worked eastward Read more…
Part 1 of a 3 part series on local nature destinations People often ask me where they should go to see birds and other wildlife. My initial answer is usually “just about anywhere.” Although this is true, I realize that a little more detail might be helpful. This week I’d Read more…
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) (1) – Reported Jun 03, 2018 05:57 by Chris Risley – Jones Quarter Line and Bland Line, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “previously reported, heard giving dry buzz song, then seen” Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1) Read more…
After almost 8 months of wintering over, moisturizing, hovering and nail biting, the moth has finally emerged from the cocoon I found in the leaf litter last October. I even took the cocoon camping with me – I did not want to miss the big event! Introducing my Polyphemus moth. Read more…
I came from the Coe Hill area and we had 2 kinds of large turtles (still do). Both types are very dark, grow to about 16″ – 18″ in diameter, very aggressive. The main difference is one has a smooth shell and one has a spiked shell, 1 row on Read more…
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) (1) – Reported Jun 01, 2018 12:33 by Thomas Unrau – Big (Boyd/Chiminis) Island (Kawartha Land Trust), Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Good visual id- full white wing bars. Good song” Sora (Porzana carolina) (2) – Read more…
All eight species of Ontario turtles are now designated as at risk With the arrival of June, turtles are once again on the move. Unfortunately, this migration often involves a hazardous trek across busy roads and highways. Clearly, a turtle’s shell is no match for the crushing weight of a Read more…
Whimbrels, Dunlin and Cattle Egret: Seen in Brighton, Ontario, on May 27. Don Munro Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) (1) – Reported May 26, 2018 11:03 by Bill Crins – Lakefield–Sewage Lagoons, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Read more…
I’ve just returned from my annual birding trip to Point Pelee and Rondeau parks in southwestern Ontario. And, yes, the birds of spring were present in all their diversity and beauty. Every year, however, I notice something deeply unsettling: the reduction in abundance. Take the Wood Thrush, for example. Instead Read more…
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) (1) – Reported May 23, 2018 07:23 by Donald A. Sutherland – Peterborough–Trent Rotary Rail Trail, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “singing” Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) (1) – Reported May 21, 2018 09:11 by Iain Rayner Read more…
Great Horned Owl: I took this owlet picture yesterday, May 17, at a nest 1 km west of Springbrook, Ontario. Don Munro Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) (1) – Reported May 17, 2018 11:45 by Ben Taylor – Peterborough–Mervin Line, Peterborough, Ontario – Read more…
From botanical gardens and wildlife centres to museums and coffee farms, the San José area has much to offer As we boarded the bus to San Isidro de Heredia, we were sorry to leave Puerto Viejo, but felt satisfied that we’d experienced much of what Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast has Read more…
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) (1) – Reported May 03, 2018 14:37 by Warren Dunlop – Bailieboro–442-470 Second Line Rd, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 2 Photos – Comments: “In field south of road with CANGs.” Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) Read more…
The Beekeeper’s Lament “O bring me palanquin, All my companions have scattered” Renée Sarojini Saklikar in “Listening to the Bees” Several years ago, a Letter to the Editor appeared in this paper that struck me as particularly poignant. It was from a former Trent University student, Rick Fisher. In the Read more…
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) (20) – Reported Apr 28, 2018 07:39 by Steve Paul – 341 Hiawatha Line, Keene, Ontario, CA (44.178, -78.204), Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 6 Photos – Comments: “Two separate groups eventually came together. Close to 50/50 male/female split. Observed a possible second Read more…
Don Munro of Campbellford and Mike Faught of Peterborough shared the following pictures taken this month.
Osprey: I saw this Osprey on its nest today (April 20) on County Rd 2, west of Hastings. Impressive pad! Wendy Marrs Snowy Owl: This beautiful Snowy Owl was in our backyard this morning (April 20) around 8 am. What a thing of beauty! This is my first time ever Read more…
Wildlife in Costa Rica can almost seem other-worldly: toucans with rainbow-colored beaks nearly as big as their body; huge Blue Morphos cruising about like computer-generated butterflies from the movie Avatar; and, as I’ll describe this week, wing-snapping manakins leaping back and forth like frenzied ping-pong balls. This amazing offering of Read more…
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) (1) – Reported Apr 13, 2018 08:21 by Daniel Williams – Peterborough–Beavermead Park, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) (2) – Reported Apr 13, 2018 12:54 by C Douglas – Peterborough–Little Lake, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 3 Photos Read more…
Click here to see a compilation of sightings updated to January, 2018 of fauna of Jack Lake (Apsley, Ontario) and its watershed. Baseline information has been obtained from published books which delineate the distribution of various amphibians, birds, crustaceans, fishes, insects, mammals, molluscs, and reptiles. Additional information has been derived Read more…
March 1st started with a Red-Wing Blackbird singing in the tree on the east side of Wendy’s on Chemong Road. Came home from Wendy’s and a Northern Cardinal was singing in a high tree at the condo and the first sight of the chipmunks running. Four pairs of American Robins Read more…
April 3, 2018 PETERBOROUGH – A local nature lover has started a small business to help people get outdoors and connect with nature, and he’s doing it all online! Darian Bacon, a renowned wilderness instructor, has created the website 7winds.ca for people who want to learn more about wilderness exploration Read more…
If Costa Rica taught me one lesson, it was to never go anywhere without my binoculars and camera. Not to put clothes on the line, not to go for water and especially not to walk into town. I could be certain that some kind of exotic creature – be it Read more…