Columns
A winter nature almanac
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 amazing 5.0 C warmer than normal – most likely our Read more…
Columns
Have seeds. Will travel.
Peterborough Examiner – October 15, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Seeds ride air, animals, and their own steam to new destinations Nature is never at rest. Even now, as leaves change colour and fall to the ground, all manner of trees, shrubs, and flowers are engaged in a crucial mission: spreading their Read more…
Columns
A Kawarthas Summer Nature Almanac
Peterborough Examiner – June 18, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Despite some challenges, there is much to look forward to in the coming months To a large extent, “seeing” is knowing what to expect. In fact, the cornerstone of identification is knowing what species are most likely given Read more…
Sightings
January sightings of note
At noon, on January 31, I came across a Northern Hawk-owl at the horse farm just north of Selwyn on the Buckhorn Road (County Road 23). David Beaucage Johnson, Curve Lake On January 30, I came across this dead Northern Saw-whet Owl. By the marks in the snow, it flew Read more…
Columns
Counting the birds of Christmas in the Kawarthas
Record-highs for 16 species recorded on the annual Peterborough Christmas Bird Count Maybe it was our collective cabin fever, the increased interest in birding, or simply fewer Christmas obligations than in a normal year. For whatever combination of reasons, a record 96 people took part in this year’s Peterborough Read more…
Columns
iNaturalist: What’s in your backyard?
No matter how you measure it – demand for camping equipment and bicycles, provincial park reservations, traffic on local rail-trails, or sales of feeders and bird seed – the pandemic has led to a huge uptick in the number of people engaging with nature and the outdoors. Read more…
Sightings
American Chestnut update and other nature news from Kinmount
The news about the American Chestnut trees that I have been bringing along up near Kinmount for the last 15 years is not good, I’m afraid. First: None of the nuts I planted last Fall sprouted so I had no new seedlings to plant this year. Second: I think because Read more…
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Large gathering of Sandhill Cranes near Cambray
I saw 12 to 20 Sandhill Cranes under a lone elm tree northwest of Cambray and north of Cemetery. Gavin Hunter, Omemee
Sightings
Observations of Common Loons on Jack Lake: 1982-2016
Volunteers on Jack Lake have participated in the Canada Lakes Loon Survey (CLLS) since the program was initiated in the early 1980s. In recent years we have engaged additional volunteers so that the entire lake could be surveyed during the months of June, July and August. We recently made an effort Read more…
Sightings
Great shot of a Northern Water Snake
I came across this Northern Water Snake in my kayak on lower Buckhorn Lake on July 26.
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Beautiful Black-crowned Night-Heron near London St. footbridge
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (1) – Reported Jul 11, 2016 07:20 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Water St., Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Adult perched on snag overhanging river near W end of London St. footbridge. Quite far from my vantage point but with binos I Read more…
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Chimney Swifts
The Spring 2016 swift watches gave us some really interesting numbers. The peak was on May 17 when Dan Williams saw 123 enter the roost. A Merlin was seen by several people harassing the swifts and keeping them from getting into the roosts. Heavy rain before normal roost time seemed Read more…
Sightings
Short-tailed Weasel on Trans-Canada Trail
On November 11, 2015 at 1:30 pm, I spotted a Short-tailed Weasel (ermine or stoat) on the Trans-Canada trail to the east of Ackison Road. It had a pure white belly and legs with slightly darker shade on back and black end to tail (see attached picture). I was hanging around Read more…
Columns
Nature in the digital age
Although it might seem counter-intuitive, there are actually many ways in which digital technology can inspire all of us to get moving, exploring and enjoying nature. For instance, the act of sharing your experiences through social media, together with the feedback from others that often follows, can keep the outdoor Read more…
Sightings
Sightings from Stoney Lake and Silent Lake Provincial Park: Blanding’s Turtle, Barred Owls, sunfish nests….
Last weekend I stayed at my daughter’s house on Northey Bay, Stoney Lake. A Blanding’s turtle was seen for 3 evenings in a row attempting to lay eggs in the driveway. Not sure if she succeeded as we came back to town. I counted over a dozen sunfish nests along Read more…
Sightings
Frost damage to vegetation
This afternoon, I walked the Trans-Canada Trail between Jackson Park and Lily Lake. I was surprised by the amount of frost damage. Worst hit were the Virginia Creeper, Wild Grape, Sensitive Fern, Hay-scented Fern and ash trees. Many of these species showed quite a bit of dead foliage and, in Read more…
Sightings
Probable visit by a Cooper’s Hawk
We looked randomly out the window into our yard yesterday (Dec.28th) only to observe a hawk sitting on top of a pile of white feathers! We stood and watched until it flew away with the remainder of its prey. On further inspection the only things remaining on the ground were Read more…
Sightings
Bluebirds in December
I had four Eastern Bluebirds in my yard today – a good start to my winter bird list! Mike Gillespie, David Fife Line
Sightings
Tim Dyson’s thoughts on the recent “Flurry of Barred Owls sightings” (Nov. 29) Will Great Grays be moving south?
Of all the months on the calendar, November is the one that we can expect to see the most Barred Owls exposed and active in daylight on and south of the Canadian Shield in southern Ontario. I believe there are many contributing factors to this, and sometimes, they will all Read more…
Sightings
Pretty Boy, the Ruffed Grouse
I know nothing about Ruffled Grouse but thought you might like this story. Monday was a nice warm day and we worked outside all day decorating pots and putting up the Christmas lights. Around noon I wanted to go to clip some more branches that I see on my morning Read more…
Sightings
Baltimore Oriole sighting!
I was surprised to look out yesterday morning to see a Baltimore Oriole feeding at my finch feeder. I was able to shoot a few photos through the dirty window, I watched it for about 10 minutes, then it flew off, and hasn’t been seen again since. I believe it Read more…
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PowerPoint: Climate Change in the Kawarthas – Part 1
This PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of how climate change is already affecting the flora and fauna of the Kawarthas. It also highlights recent extreme events as well as future changes that are being predicted by scientists. Part 1CC in Kawarthas – latest
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White-winged Crossbills at Lakefield feeder
Late this afternoon I watched an adult female White-winged Crossbill feeding a juvenile crossbill on my niger feeders here in Lakefield. Tony Bigg
Sightings
Rare Carolina Wren seen and heard on Gilchrist Street in Peterborough
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) (1) – Reported Sep 02, 2014 08:20 by Sue Sauve – My Home, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “singing, neighbour also saw it with orange breast”
Sightings
Young Osprey showing novel hunting technique
Each year around our property on Buckhorn Lake we enjoy watching the Ospreys and their young as they learn how to fish. As we know, most fly above the waters and eventually dive for the fish. This year we have been fortunate to watch a new born and for whatever Read more…
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Ontario Weather Review – July 2014
This past month was cold and wet for most of Ontario. Overall, July 2014 sets itself apart due to the absence of any heat wave. The mean temperatures for July were, for many locations, colder or very close to those of June. The largest departures from normal values were seen Read more…
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Ontario Weather Review – June 2014
Tornado Tuesdays, flooding and heavy rainfall events will remain on Ontarian’s minds when looking back at June 2014. Precipitation continued to be well above normal values in Northern Ontario, especially in the Northwest, with many locales receiving more than double the expected precipitation for the month of June. Central and Read more…
Sightings
Lots of insect activity – including native bees – on Ox-eye Daisies right now
I was at the cottage on Horseshoe Island on Stony Lake Friday afternoon. I went to look at a crop of Ox-eye Daisies and found, to my delight, several tiny native bees! Before the talk on native bees by Susan Chan at the Peterborough Field Naturalists, I would have overlooked Read more…
Sightings
eBird: Sora rail right in Peterborough at Loggerhead Marsh; Upland Sandpiper near Keene
Sora (Porzana carolina) (1) – Reported Jun 14, 2014 19:01 by Paul Frost – Peterborough–Loggerhead Marsh, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) (1) – Reported Jun 14, 2014 19:30 by Luke Berg – Peterborough–Cameron Line b/w CR-2 and Elmhirst Rd, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: Read more…