Sightings

A Northern Saw-whet Owl made a stop-over on its northward migration today. It turned up in a tree in the front yard of a house on Gilmour Street in Peterborough. Location: Peterborough Observer: Erica Nol

This morning I saw my first Common Grackles of the year along Wallis Drive. During a quick drive through of Little Lake Cemetery, a Song Sparrow, my first of the year, too, was singing. I also saw a flock of about a dozen Ring-necked Ducks in addition to the buffleheads, Read more…

While preparing our Easter supper, we were treated to a short visit by an Ermine, also known as the Short-tailed Weasel. It was spotted by my daughter, Sophie . Still in its winter colouration, the weasel was pure white except for a black-tipped tail. Note that McCrea Drive, where the Read more…

Today, I saw one Trumpeter Swan on Lower Buckhorn Lake around the mouth of the Mississauga River. He stayed there for hours. Location: Lower Buckhorn Lake Observer: Rose Mary Rosada

With spring’s arrival today, Peterborough has recorded a record winter for snowfall – 304 centimetres. Although there are some gaps in local records, the snowiest winter previously was 302.7 cm in 1911-12. According to Dave Phillips of Environment Canada, 10 percent of the annual snowfall comes after the first day Read more…

Many Hooded Mergansers, Common Goldeneye, and Greater Scaup on the Lake today, along with 2 Buffleheads and 2 grebes (Pied-billed?) There were also crows carrying nesting material. Location: Little Lake Observer: Ken Rumble

I heard my first American Robin in full song this morning. There was also the most feeder activity in weeks – chickadees, both nuthatches, juncoes, house sparrows, mourning doves, cardinals, a downy woodpecker, and American goldfinches Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

This first day of mild weather (7 C) in along time also brought in some migrants. The first flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds arrived at the Kidd farm today. Location: Douro/Dummer; County Road 8 Observer: Bruce Kidd

Bohemian Waxwings are still hanging around in the area. There were about 250 birds in the trees just south of the bridge in Lakefield today. Also the Pied-billed Grebe was below and a sub-adult Bald Eagle (head turning white) was above Lock 24 today. Location: Otonabee River and Lakefield Observer: Read more…

A flock of at least 150 Bohemian Waxwings kept me entertained while I shovelled snow today. Many of them came down to feed on European Buckthorn in our yard. Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

A Pied-billed Grebe was seen at noon, just below Lock 25. Location: Otonabee River Observer: Tony Bigg

“Signs of spring today included a male Red-winged Blackbird at the feeder in our backyard in Cavan. When I went outside a few minutes later it was calling, as were a group of 4-5 robins in the neighbour’s yard. While I was watching them picking tiny dried apples off the Read more…

For the first time this spring, a male House Sparrow sat on one of our bird houses and called repeatedly today, presumably to show ownership of the box and to attract a female. He has been hanging out around the box all winter, but today was the first actual singing. Read more…

Two male Wood Ducks were seen just below the bus barns on River Road. Location: Otonabee River Observer: Jerry Ball

A dead Barred Owl was found today below a bridge on a Trent Wildlife Sanctuary trail. The bird showed no signs of trauma. Location: Trent Wildlife Sanctuary Observer: Ingrid Jones

“I heard the first Mourning Doves of the year calling this morning at around 7:30 a.m.” Location: Peterborough Observer: Everett Hannah

The first Turkey Vulture of the spring arrived today and is roosting in a row of tall cedars in the west end of Peterborough. Most years, as many as 10 vultures show up during spring migration and all roost together in the same stand of spruce. During the day, they Read more…

A Brush Wolf (Coyote) has been hanging out on the west side of Chemong Road, north of the Parkway Trail towards the Simmons subdivision. Instead of a howl, its vocalization is a high pitched scream. It has also been seen between Cabot Street. and the paved “Parkway Trail”. It has Read more…

“I looked out today at about 1:00 pm to see an exquisite Barred Owl staring back at me on my deck.” Location: Morton Line, Cavan Observer: Holly McBain

Immature Bald Eagle sitting on ice on west side of Otonabee River, 100 metres above Lock 25. Bird was seen at about 1:00 p.m. Location: Lock 25, Otonabee River Observer: Drew Monkman

Pileated Woodpecker hammering on dead branch Location: McCrea Drive, Peterborough Observer: Cy Monkman

During my walk to work (MNR downtown) from East City this morning, I saw three flocks of American Robins, totalling about 125 individuals flying overhead and calling. I also heard full songs of 1 House Sparrow, 1 American Robin and 1 House Finch. Location: East City, Peterborough Observer: Andrew Jobes

More signs of spring

On this cold, winter day, thought I would mention that yesterday, Feb.11, we had the first Horned Lark of the year on the farm, picking around among the cattle. Location: Douro/Dummer; County Rd. 8 Observer: Bruce Kidd

A House Finch was in full song at noon today in a tree in front of our house. First House Finch song of the new year for me. Location: Maple Crescent Observer: Drew Monkman

Opossum – “this little guy sure looked cold and was not moving very fast when I saw him” Location: Harrington Lane, Ennismore Observer: Randy Smith

First smell of Skunk for 2008 – at 6 a.m. this morning – foggy and mild (4 C) Location: Maple Crescent Observer: Drew Monkman

Two Pileated Woodpeckers observed excavating dead maples on Milburn Street in Edmison Heights. One hole over two feet long and six inches or more wide. Large chips all over the snow. Location: Milburn Street Observer: Ron Fuller

12 Cedar Waxwings in yard, feeding on European Buckthorn berries Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

Barred Owl seen in Ennismore Location: Ennis Road Observer: Randy Smith