This morning I watched a large, female Cooper’s Hawk catch and simply stand upon a Mourning Dove in our neighbour’s driveway. What was strange, however, was that another dove, possibly the victim’s mate, landed on the driveway beside the hawk Read more…
On my way into work at 6 a.m. this morning, I spotted an albino American Crow. I was driving south down Highway 7out of Peterborough between Parkhill Rd and Lansdowne St.. It was not quite as big as the other Read more…
I’ve been able to take pictures of an albino Common Grackle. The bird and its familty were around for a couple of days earlier this month. Location: Matchett Line north, Otonabee Township Observer: Harv Bell
While driving south on Hwy 115 at the intersection of Hwy 35, my wife and I saw a pure white American Crow. Presumably this is an albino crow. There was no mistake that it was a crow, but its legs Read more…
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 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 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 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 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 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: 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 Read more…
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. Read more…
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 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: Read more…
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 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