Sightings
Wild Turkeys on Stoney Lake
I have about 60 American Goldfinches and 1 Pine Siskin coming to my feeders, but it is the Wild Turkeys that really gobble up the seeds! Rob Welsh, Dodsworth Island, Stoney Lake
Sightings
Red-bellied Woodpeckers keep on turning up!
I had a male Red-bellied Woodpecker at my feeder on George street in Lakefield on February 2, 2017. It spent enough time on the feeder to identify and was confirmed by photo from David Wells. Great website! John D’Andrea
Columns
Food for thought: There are a lot of myths when it comes to feeding the birds
When it comes to feeding birds, it’s important to be skeptical of ‘conventional wisdom’. There are a lot of myths out there, some of which might discourage people from putting out feeders. No one with an interest in birds should Read more…
Sightings
Recent sightings of note
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) (2) CONFIRMED – Reported Feb 01, 2017 10:32 by Iain Rayner – Trent River–Drysdale Rd, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34091842 – Comments: “Seen in group of seven swans far downstream. Viewed through scope showed Read more…
A Changing Climate
Meteorologists and climate change: Are they guilty of malpractice?
Whether doctor or meteorologist, when we fail to look at the systemic causes of the immediate problems in front of us, we are guilty of malpractice. By Richard J Jackson The Daily Climate LINK TO ARTICLE Editor’s note: This essay Read more…
Sightings
Rare Carolina Wren coming to city feeder
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) (1) – Reported Jan 22, 2017 09:50 by Chris Risley – Jackson Park and area, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Seen at 476 Bonaccord Avenue at feeder, possibly continuing bird from Jackson Park Read more…
Sightings
Twenty minutes with a Barred Owl
At 4:50 pm. January 18, at the corner of County Rd. #2 and Plunket Road, I spent 20 minutes with this Barred Owl, photographing the bird from about 50 metres. The owl seemed more curious than scared. Given the paucity Read more…
Sightings
Eight Bald Eagles south of Campbellford
On Jan. 22, from my backyard, I saw 8 Bald Eagles. They were on open ice south of Campbellford on the Trent River There was one pair of adults and 6 immatures. Donald Munro
Sightings
Beautiful, mature Red-tailed Hawk south of Peterborough
I took a couple of pictures last Sunday, January 15, 2017 of this lovely Red-tailed Hawk sitting on our fence post and thought you might enjoy seeing them. We live on a farm just south of Peterborough and are fortunate Read more…
Sightings
Recent sightings of note
Common Loon (Gavia immer) (1) – Reported Jan 20, 2017 12:00 by Dave Milsom – Lakefield Marsh, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “continuing bird diving near red marker buoy” Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) (1) – Reported Read more…
Sightings
Avian and wolf-like predators on the Indian River
I thought I’d pass along to you a couple of sightings from our home on the Indian River in the midst of the ice and freezing rain of January 17. From one window, we saw what was either a Sharp-shinned Read more…
Columns
Counting birds at Christmas
Between mid-December and early January, birders in over 2000 localities across North, Central and South America took a break from the holiday festivities to spend a day outside, identifying and counting birds. Dating all the way back to 1900, the Read more…
Sightings
Another large flock of winter robins!
Between Christmas and New Years and again on January 11, there was a flock of 15 American Robins on Ford Crescent in Cavan. Ken Rumble
Sightings
Snow Buntings in Hastings area
Every year my wife and I are eager to see flocks of Snow Buntings. This year, I saw a very large flock on January 14 in a field just east of the 3rd line of Asphodel and the south side Read more…
Sightings
Bald Eagle feeding on carcass near Fowler’s Corners
On Sunday, January 15, I saw a Bald Eagle feeding on a carcass in a field on the east side of Highway 7. I think it was just south of Fowler’s Corners. Jackie Lewis, Maynooth ON
Sightings
Live Wildlife Viewing from Algonquin Park
In late December 2016, a Moose was killed in a vehicle collision on Highway 60 in Algonquin Park. On January 5, 2017, this Moose was moved to the valley below the Visitor Centre. For Algonquin Park’s predators, winter can be Read more…
Sightings
Northern Shrike near Buckhorn
Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) (1) – Reported Jan 15, 2017 11:25 by Scott Gibson – Buckhorn Road, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 1 Photo – Comments: “perched at top of tree on east side of road”
Sightings
Belted Kingfisher on Otonabee River
I drove out River Road to Lakefield on January 14 to see what I could find. At Bolton Farm, I found this Belted Kingfisher making its way up river from tree to tree. The river was high, fast and with Read more…
Sightings
Update of Jack Lake Fauna Atlas
I recently had the opportunity to update our atlas of Jack Lake fauna with data and observations from 2016 (LINK). Since this project was initiated in 2013, we (97 individuals have reported information on sightings) have compiled more than 3,000 records Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) (1) – Reported Jan 12, 2017 15:37 by Martin Parker – Otonabee River–between Lock 23 and 24, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “male – continuing bird” Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) (1) – Reported Read more…
Sightings
Beautiful male Red-bellied Woodpecker in Lakefield
Last week we saw this male Red-bellied Woodpecker at our feeder in Lakefield. He was eating sunflower seeds and feeding at the fat block. I couldn’t see the red belly, however. He was quite shy, so no real close-ups. David Read more…
Sightings
A two-raptor day
I took a picture of this Red-tailed Hawk at Lock 25 on the Otonabee River on December 30. The Merlin was near Omemee. Carl Welbourn Kawartha Camera Club
Sightings
A rarely seen Norway Rat
Here is photo of my resident Norway Rat, taken on January 1. We have only seen it twice this winter, although it exhibits the same behaviours – scurrying from under the porch to the base of the bird feeder – Read more…
Sightings
Large flock of Common Mergansers on Katchewanooka
I saw 14 Common Mergansers on Lake Katchewanooka on January 8. Also, my neighbour tells me he recently saw a Bald Eagle steal a fish from our resident American Mink. I would have loved a video of that! Laurie McLaughlin-Maveal
Sightings
Crows mobbing a Red-tailed Hawk
Here is a picture of an American Crow sending out the alarm, regarding this Red-tailed Hawk in our poplar tree. There were two other crows not in the photo also circling around the hawk and creating quite a ruckus. Shortly Read more…
Sightings
Another Peregrine sighting in downtown Peterborough
I saw a Peregrine Falcon in Peterborough on January 10, 2017 at 3:25 pm. It alighted on the top of a telephone pole at the corner of Downie and Murray Streets. At first I thought it was a Merlin from Read more…
Sightings
Recent Pileated Woodpecker sightings
Though we have Pileated Woodpeckers in the neighbourhood all year, Tuesday was the first time that I have been able to photograph them feeding at the suet feeder. No doubt this has been going on for some time but did Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note
Barred Owl (Strix varia) (1) – Reported Jan 11, 2017 13:03 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Bear Creek Rd, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “10 feet from road in cedar swale after swamp.” Peregrine Falcon (Falco Read more…
Columns
Readers’ nature sightings in review: July – December 2016
I would once again like to thank the many people who contacted me over 2016 to share their nature sightings and photographs. This week, I will continue my year-end review with sightings from June through December. You can also find Read more…
Sightings
A beautiful Pileated Woodpecker drops by
This female Pileated Woodpecker was in our Peterborough yard on Mark Street twice on December 30. Her visit lasted 30 to 45 minutes each time. Hope you enjoy the photos! Helen and Larry Keller