January 23, 2010

I have a Fox Sparrow coming to my platform feeder that is about a foot off the ground. It is a large sparrow with heavy, russet streaking converging to a messy spot on its chest. The tail is russet. When it feeds, it kicks its feet backward in the pile Read more…

January 22, 2010

From Oct. 11, 2009 until today I have again seen a female Red-bellied Woodpecker on 63 different days. The sightings were all in my yard or at the feeders. She is feeding on suet and sunflower seeds. Location: South Monaghan township, about 2.5 km south-east of Squirrel Creek Conservation Area Read more…

January 21, 2010

I have now received reports of Red-bellied Woodpeckers that are coming to feeders in the Keene area, Hiawatha, Millbrook, lower Pigeon Lake, and Cordova Lake near Havelock. Location: Keene area; Hiawatha; Cordova Lake; Larmer Line, Millbrook; Lower Pigeon Lake Observer: Michael Gillespie, Leah Johnson, Betty Maker, Wayne Stovell, Blair Hamilton

January 20, 2010

There were 300 Bohemian Waxwings, 100 meters west of the 911 sign for 1468 7th line of Smith-Ennismore, Lakefield Township at 1 p.m. today. The trees were full. We returned at 3:45 and none were seen. No doubt they are not far away. Directions – From central Peterborough go north Read more…

January 11, 2010

Today, my mother and I saw a Great Horned Owl at the Trent Wildlife Sanctuary when we took the dogs for an early morning walk. Location: Trent Wildlife Sanctuary, University Drive Observer: Luke Berg

January 9, 2010

While out for a walk this past Saturday in some woods just east of Peterborough, I spotted a magnificent Great Gray Owl. It seemed to very much at ease while watching me take pictures of it! During the 10 minutes or so that I watched the owl from quite close Read more…

December 22, 2009

A Red-bellied Woodpecker that was visiting my feeder here in Warsaw in November has shown up again. We include corn in our feed and it seems to prefer that to anything else. Location: Warsaw Observer: Maureen Smith

December 21, 2009

Another drama is unfolding on the south shore in Hamilton Bay. A number of deer (6-8) ran out on the ice and then hit a large patch of late freezing perfectly smooth ice. They seem unable to get back on their hooves. The ice is questionable or I’d slide them Read more…

December 15, 2009

Today, we had a pair of Hooded Mergansers on the Indian River near 395 Sawmill Road, just north of the Warsaw Caves. We do have them in the spring and throughout the summer with their young, but they usually don’t linger this late in the fall. Location: Warsaw Observer: Jane Read more…

December 14, 2009

Today there are two Common Loons trapped in a very small area of open water near the centre of Stony Lake. Two Bald Eagles are on the ice edge and are repeatedly trying to catch them. The loons quickly dive but I expect this will end badly for the loons. Read more…

Dates of Christmas Bird Counts

The dates for the two local Christmas Bird Counts are Sunday, December 20th, Peterborough CBC, and Sunday, December 27th, Petroglyphs CBC. I would ask participants to let me know as soon as possible if they are available for either or both. As usual the compilations will be at Kelsey

November 22, 2009

Activity of at our feeder has hit the annual November doldrums. Apart from the chickadees, all I’m seeing is half a dozen juncoes, a pair of Blue Jays, a Downy Woodpecker, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and two or three American Goldfinch. On Friday, a Cooper’s Hawk made a brief appearance Location: Read more…

November 21, 2009

I saw my first Bald Eagle of the season today. It lumbered down the centre of the main body of Lower Stony Lake. We also have a flock of Evening Grosbeaks feeding on the stags of the sumacs. Location: Stony Lake Observer: Rob Welsh

November 12, 2009

Today, there is a single Snow Goose hanging out with a large group of Canada Geese immediately above Lock 23 on the Otonabee River between Trent and Lakefield. Location: Otonabee River Observer: Colin Jones

October 25, 2009

Today, at about 9:30 a.m. I saw a Cackling Goose mixed in with a group of Canada Geese on the Otonabee River under the Inverlea bridge on Parkhill Road east. Location: Parkhill Road and Otonabee River Observer: Luke Berg

October 17, 2009

On my walk today along the rail-trail from Jackson Park to Ackison Road, I saw and heard a number of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Dark-eyed Juncos, and White-throated Sparrows. One Rusty Blackbird flew over, making its “squeaky clothesline” call. Later, I saw a large flock of American Robins at Wallis and Parkhill. Read more…