It preserves critical migratory bird habitat and supports farmers Peterborough Examiner – July 6, 2022 – by Drew Monkman When you enjoy your morning coffee, what comes to mind? Maybe the aroma, taste, warmth, and the pep-up it gives? Wouldn’t it be Read more…
I see a Jinny Clark in 2014 commented about squirrels licking her rocks but they took them.As far as I know my squirrel(s) are not taking the rocks but they move them all over the patio and yard. The white Read more…
End of spongy moth invasion in sight but global heating continues unabated Peterborough Examiner – July 2, 2022 – by Drew Monkman From land protection initiatives to a wonderful new book, there’s lots of good things happening on the local conservation front. The Read more…
City well on the way to becoming a safer place for wild birds Peterborough Examiner – June 10, 2022 – by Drew Monkman I can trace my life-long fascination with birds to having grown up in a Peterborough neighbourhood with easy access to Read more…
I thought I’d share that I saw a number of Yellow Lady’s Slipper orchids just north of the London Street bridge on the east bank, close to “the island”. The photos are from June 1. Sylvia Dee On my walk Read more…
Today, May 24, we saw our first Monarch of the spring. Very exciting! Scott Sargent On May 23, I spotted this beautiful Monarch in Peterborough. Carley Wilson On May 9, we had male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and our first Baltimore Oriole Read more…
With nesting season here, June is a perilous time on our roads Peterborough Examiner – June 10, 2022 – by Drew Monkman As I’ve written many times in this column, my love of nature began with a special fondness for turtles. As a Read more…
May 21 a taste of all we stand to lose by refusing to commit to action on climate change Peterborough Examiner – June 3, 2022 – by Drew Monkman The devastating reality of climate change has once again unleashed itself on Peterborough and Read more…
Keep your eyes and ears peeled Peterborough Examiner – May 20, 2022 – by Drew Monkman As we begin to transition from spring into summer, I’d like to provide a taste of some of the wonderful events in nature to look forward to Read more…
Another Ford majority government would be disastrous for environmental protection Peterborough Examiner – May 13, 2022 – by Drew Monkman On June 2 as we head to the polls, many voters will have the skyrocketing cost of living top of mind. The cost Read more…
Two apps make finding and identifying birds simpler and more enjoyable Peterborough Examiner – May 6, 2022 – by Drew Monkman I’ve been a birder nearly all my life. For nearly all of this time, my equipment was limited to binoculars, field guides, Read more…
On April 25 on McCrea Drive in Peterborough, I was awakened by the calls of two Whip-poor-wills. One was near our backyard and the other was off in the distance. I was very surprised because as a youngster at the Read more…
Trees are important in fighting climate change. You can register for a free tree for your city yard. Peterborough Examiner – April 22, 2022 – by Drew Monkman As we celebrate another Earth Day, I’d like to turn my attention this week to Read more…
Here are a few pictures of our Fisher. We’ve been seeing a Fisher on our cameras for three years now, and I’m assuming it’s the same one. I don’t know a lot about them, but I suspect this is a Read more…
On February 7, we had a juvenile Northern Goshawk in our backyard. My wife saw it first, and we watched totally mesmerized. It appeared to have just killed a squirrel. I’m a birdwatcher and I get a lot of different Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – February 18, 2022 – by Drew Monkman It’s no exaggeration to say that this winter has been brutally cold. On January 29, the mercury plummeted to -34 C! While we enjoy the luxury of our cozy, heated homes, Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – February 4, 2022 – by Drew Monkman A look at how amphibians, reptiles, and fish endure winter Whenever I’m out walking in the woods in winter, I often think of the many strategies used by animals and plants to survive Read more…
At our cottage on Crowe Lake, we’ve been watching our annual convention of Trumpeter Swans. After I took this video there was quite the flurry of activity. We are so fortunate to be able to enjoy this part of nature. Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – February 4, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Evolution has conferred birds and mammals with intriguing adaptations. One of my most frequent bird sightings this winter might surprise you. It’s the American robin. People often ask me, “How in the world Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – January 14, 2022 – by Drew Monkman A look at data from eBird and the results of the Petroglyphs Christmas Bird Count Peterborough has one of the most active birding communities in all of Canada. This is borne out in Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – January 7, 2022 – by Drew Monkman A record 71 species tallied on the Peterborough Christmas Bird Count As the full moon cast long shadows through a woodlot on the outskirts of Bridgenorth, the mysterious “whooo…whoo-hoo…who-who” song of a Read more…
We live at the 12th Line and Northey’s Road in Selwyn. This Red-bellied Woodpecker has been here for the past week. Not the best picture (taken December 3). Paul Vigneux I had a productive day (December 6) at the Peterborough Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – December 17, 2021 – by Drew Monkman With bird populations in serious decline, a Peterborough group is stepping up Birds are all around us. They cheer us up during bleak winter days and remind us of spring’s return. Unfortunately, however, Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – December 10, 2021 – by Drew Monkman The solstice reminds us why we have seasons One of the greatest pleasures to be derived from the regular observation of the natural world is to witness the passage of time as one Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – December 3, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Looking ahead to what nature has in store this winter nature As is now the pattern with a changing climate, this fall in Peterborough was marked by extreme temperature. October was an Read more…
Check out August sightings for Brian Asmunt’s encounter with an Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. Here are a couple of shots of my first Snow Bunting of the year. I saw it at the Omemee marsh on November 1. Driving on the Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – November 19, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Ten easy activities to engage more fully with nature This week, I’d like to propose some simple activities to enhance a late fall or winter walk, be it alone or with friends or Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – November 12, 2021 – by Drew Monkman A look at the annual winter finch forecast Anyone who feeds or watches birds knows that the relative abundance and diversity of species varies widely from one winter to the next. These fluctuations Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – November 5, 2021 – by Drew Monkman The late fall forest is a joy to explore Last week I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days at my brother’s cottage on Big Gull Lake, north of Kaladar. Located Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – October 22, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Our region offers rich experiences in the natural world, but let’s also acknowledge the losses and assaults As the great American ecologist and conservationist, Aldo Leopold, once wrote, “One of the penalties of Read more…