I saw this spider on one of our shrubs in the flower garden. I’ve never seen one like this before and wondered if you had? Wayne Stovell, Cavan Note: The spider in question is a Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). It’s a fairly common spider of late summer. It makes Read more…
We’re wondering what has happened to the pair of Baltimore orioles and hummingbirds that we were providing food for and have suddenly disappeared. Both bird species arrived at our home on the lake in Bridgenorth on or about May 15 as usual. Since then we have kept sugar water in Read more…
I took a photo of this spider tonight, June 27, before bed. It’s bigger than a toonie for sure and the biggest spider since my cottage days and dock spiders. Any thoughts? Wayne Stovell, Cavan Note: I believe it’s a species of fishing spider (Dolomedes). D.M. My neighbour who lives Read more…
On May 28, I also saw this Eastern Milksnake on the west day use trail at Petroglyphs Provincial Park. It was in the section just before the small bridge that spans the creek between the marshes. I had never seen one of these snakes before, and it was a very Read more…
Hummingbird Clearwing Moths are regular visitors at the phlox in our garden. Gwen Forsyth, Lakefield Your column several weeks ago regarding Gypsy Moths really caught our attention. We have a cottage on Jack Lake and recall the infestation back in the 1970s. This past several weeks our cottage there have Read more…
Three different species of hummingbird moths came to our lilacs on June 4th. They included a Nessus Sphinx, a Snowberry Clearwing, and one species I was unable to photograph and identify. Then, on June 17, a Hummingbird Clearwing, showed up in the lilacs, as well. As of July 3, 2020, Read more…
Lingering blackbirds: A Red-winged Black-bird and a Brown-headed Cowbird were coming to our feeders in late November but seem to have disappeared. A Common Grackle has also been coming. Here is a picture taken December 1 during the snow storm. Greg Warner, Cherryhill Road, Peterborough My grand daughter, Grace Mackie, Read more…
20th Annual Petroglyphs Butterfly Count: The compiling of the July 21st butterfly count is finally finished and final results have been submitted to the North America Butterfly Association. A total of 55 species were recorded, slightly above the average for the last few years. The Indian Skipper found in the Park Read more…
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) (1) – Reported Jul 01, 2019 04:39 by Donald A. Sutherland – Chase Memorial Park, Gannons Narrows, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (2) – Reported Jun 27, 2019 11:00 by Dave Milsom – Peterborough–Trent Read more…
Another fox in city dining on Gray Squirrels There was a large number of squirrels in our neighbourhood. Then came a large, gray-coloured fox, easily the size of my fifty pound Springer Spaniel. I’d often see it at first light, and thrice seen carrying a black-phase Gray Squirrel. The squirrel Read more…
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) (1) – Reported Jun 03, 2018 05:57 by Chris Risley – Jones Quarter Line and Bland Line, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “previously reported, heard giving dry buzz song, then seen” Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1) Read more…
We have been getting a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers for the last 2 years. We also had a sighting of a Red-headed Woodpecker this past September (2017). I feed all year so we get a lot of different birds here. I also sighted a pair of Sandhill Cranes in September. Read more…
I spotted a Great Egret in a pond on Fisher Drive in Peterborough on August 14. The pond is sort of tucked in behind the last factory on Fisher as you approach Brealey Drive. Also the Red-headed Woodpecker still makes regular stops at our feeder throughout the day. Marina Kosichek, Read more…
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (5) – Reported Jul 31, 2017 10:00 by Rick Lauzon – Bellmere Winds G.C., Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “very easy to see both adults and juveniles all around the golf course, looking from the parking lot, and up and down the road Read more…
Our very “skittish” and shy Red-headed Woodpecker has returned. I saw it for the first time this years on July 9, but didn’t have a camera handy. However, on July 11, I was ready. This picture was taken looking through our window into our backyard. The feeder hangs from the Read more…
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) (1) – Reported Jun 01, 2017 14:50 by Scott Gibson – Lakefield–Sewage Lagoons, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.4180879,-78.2587266&ll=44.4180879,-78.2587266 – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37313046 – Comments: “female. south cell” Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1) – Reported May 29, 2017 13:00 by Kathryn Sheridan – Lakefield Water Tower, Peterborough, Ontario Read more…
This Red-headed Woodpecker was a first time visitor at the feeders over the weekend (May 27, 28). It stayed around for two days but has not been back since. Nima Taghaboni, Deer Bay, Lower Buckhorn Lake
I was lucky to come across this Red-headed Woodpecker on May 21, 2016, at my home on Northey’s Bay Road on the north shore of Stoney Lake. I had never seen one and haven’t seen one since. In August 9, 2016, we also had a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth feeding at Read more…
Today (August 18) at 3:30 pm was the first time I’ve ever seen a Red-headed Woodpecker. It was at 67 Mukwa Bay Road in Curve Lake. No camera but at 50 feet away, it was unmistakable. The sighting was about 200m from a Red-shouldered Hawk nest. Pretty cool old forest Read more…
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1) – Reported May 23, 2016 11:45 by Sue Sauve – Hannah Road, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “seen clearly for about 10 minutes in tree with bird houses and with the ‘steele’ sign”
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1) – Reported Jun 25, 2014 18:45 by Chris Risley – Bellmere Winds Golf Course, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “continuing bird; flew from south of the road (i.e. near the lake) to a tree with some bare branches near the 11th hole; Read more…
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1) – Reported Jun 20, 2014 07:00 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Bellmere Winds GC, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Was sent an email yesterday indicating one had been reported here. Seen low down, In tree on golf course near blue porta Read more…
The Red-Headed Woodpecker is still around my home on Pigeon Lake. It is a pleasure to have such a rare, beautiful bird in the area and only hope he nests here. Blair Hamilton, Mallard Bay (Note: A Red-headed Woodpecker was also seen by Jim Young, about three kms from where Read more…