Sightings
Red-necked Grebe at Little Lake
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (1) – Reported Oct 26, 2014 07:46 by Bill Crins – Peterborough–Beavermead Park, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist:
Columns
The scary side of nature – Why do snakes, bats and “creepy crawlers” frighten us?
For some people, the natural world can be an intimidating place. Although it might seem illogical to be afraid of a tiny creature like a spider or bat, we can’t deny that some animals do indeed elicit a fear response. With Halloween upon us, what better time to talk about Read more…
Sightings
Snow Buntings, our iconic Birds of Winter, have arrived
Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) (2) – Reported Oct 22, 2014 09:30 by Shauna Ryner – Lakefield–Sewage Lagoons, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) (1) – Reported Oct 22, 2014 07:24 by Donald Sutherland – Peterborough–Trent Rotary Rail Trail, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: Read more…
Sightings
Brant still present near Chemong Lake Causeway
Brant (Branta bernicla) (1) CONFIRMED – Reported Oct 20, 2014 18:11 by Luke Berg – Chemong Lake–west end of causeway, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Continuing bird sitting on water on south side of the road about 100m from shore. Viewed from Rotary Park parking lot on Read more…
Sightings
Locally-uncommon Snow Goose near Elmhirst’s Resort on Rice Lake
A neighbour on Rice Lake sent me two photos of a Snow Goose in with a flock of Canada Geese. He photographed the bird on or about Oct. 18, 2014 Ron Mackay, Foley Road (adjacent to Elmhirst’s Resort)
Sightings
American Witch Hazel, a native to southern Ontario, in bloom now
American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is in full boom now. Some people may have it in their yards and gardens. To my knowledge, it is not native this far north. It can, however, be found in the Niagara Peninsula in the south west of Ontario and along Lake Ontario. Bill Read more…
Sightings
Peregrine still present at Apsley-area lake
After we closed our Apsley-area cottage on Saturday (October 18), we took the boat and went by the cliff where the Peregrine Falcons nested this summer. We were surprised to see one of the adults flying above us. I guess this individual is planning on staying longer than us at Read more…
Sightings
Another leucistic American Goldfinch
This unusual American Goldfinch with white in the tail feathers turned up in our yard this past weekend. Leisa Baker, Peterborough Note: This is a leucistic bird, meaning that it is lacking pigment in the tail feathers. Leucism seems to turn up quite regularly in goldfinches. This condition is caused Read more…
Sightings
Second Black-crowned Night-Heron seen – this time a juvenile
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (1) CONFIRMED – Reported Oct 17, 2014 07:30 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Water St., Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Not the same bird. Juvenile, seen in same spot behind Battery shop. Brown back, lighter front, yellowish legs(not gangly). Large white spots Read more…
CLIMATE CHANGE COLUMNS
A journey into the future – a trip across the city to Jackson Park in 2035 gives pause for thought for up-coming municipal election
It’s mid-May 2035, and I’ve just boarded a bus outside the new downtown condominium complex where my wife and I now live. It’s never more than a 10-minute wait for comfortable, clean and convenient public transit. On this particular morning, I’m heading up to Jackson Park, which is always Read more…
Sightings
Flock of locally rare, southbound Brant geese heard calling in dark
Brant (Branta bernicla) – Reported Oct 15, 2014 19:35 by Travis Cameron – Lakefield – Home, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Flock calling noisily low overhead. Heading south. Too dark to get a visual. It is the first time I’ve heard this species vocalize, but it was Read more…
Sightings
As predicted, Common Redpolls already showing up in the Kawarthas
Yesterday, (the 12th of October), while walking a road north of Belmont Lake, a small flock of eight Common Redpolls flew overhead. I pished them down onto a fencerow, where they stayed for a short time before flying off again. I checked Ron Pittaway`s 2014 Winter Finch Forecast on the Read more…
Sightings
New photo albums at Don McLeod’s Nature Blog
Check out Don McLeod’s newest photo albums of sightings at or near his home on Chemong Lake. There are great shots and commentary of a Merlin, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Northern Cardinal, Green Heron, swarming ants and Northern River Otters on a fishing expedition!
Sightings
Bird update from Stony Lake
Over three days in the last week of September, we were seeing large numbers of Common Grackles here at Stony Lake. There were hundreds if not a thousand over the course of several hours the first day. Then 200 or so the next two days. They appeared to be all Read more…
Sightings
Great Blue Heron still present in Lakefield
We’ve seen this Great Blue Heron for the past couple of weeks in Lakefield (mostly at the locks/power station, but also at the marina) and wonder if it should have gone south by now? From what I’ve read, they leave in late September to mid-October depending on conditions, but it’s Read more…
Sightings
Locally rare Black-crowned Night Heron still present
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (1) – Reported Oct 08, 2014 07:15 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Water St., Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Continuing adult. Further downstream on west side of river. Barely noticed with binos as it was far away and in a different spot. Read more…
Columns
Nomads from the North – expect small numbers of Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls this winter
At the rate I’ve been going through sunflower seed this fall, a second mortgage is looking like a distinct possibility. The dozen or so Purple Finches that have been with us since mid-September have been particularly voracious eaters. However, I’m not complaining. Although these attractive birds show up at our Read more…
Sightings
Mallard-sized Cackling Goose on Bensfort Road, just south of Peterborough
Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) (1) – Reported Oct 07, 2014 12:15 by Scott Gibson – Bensfort Road x Base Line livestock ponds, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “in amongst large flock of Canada Geese (CANG); noticeably smaller (perhaps 2/3 size of the smaller CANG), but really evident Read more…
Sightings
Coyote pays an early morning visit
This Coyote at the back of our yard was our early morning visitor on Saturday, October 4. We are located in Douro-Dummer, one street north of the Caves Road. We hear Coyotes most nights between 11PM and 1AM. Maggie Sharpe
Sightings
Locally uncommon Pectoral Sandpiper seen north of Havelock
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) (2) – Reported Oct 04, 2014 12:00 by Chris Risley – Havelock: Belaporine Marsh, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “at back of grassy mud flat area” American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) (40) – Reported Oct 04, 2014 10:45 by Scott Gibson – Peterborough – Read more…
Sightings
Birds of interest along Otonabee and at Lakefield Sewage Lagoons
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) (1) – Reported Oct 02, 2014 10:20 by Peterborough County Birds Database – Otonabee River–between Lock 23 and 24, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “amongst MALL, smaller size relative to MALL, white/pale discrete loreal spot.” Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1) – Reported Oct Read more…
Sightings
Saw-whets still passing through Bobcaygeon area in good numbers
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) (8) – Reported Sep 29, 2014 19:20 by Samantha Henry – James McLean Oliver Ecological Centre, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Birds were caught in mist net for banding purposes. 8 hatch year and 1 second year owls were caught and banded.”
Columns
Along the trails at Trent
TRENT NATURE AREAS – university campus offers easy access to local nature With over 1,400 acres of land situated on the banks of Otonabee River and Trent Canal and over 30 kilometres of nature trails, Trent University offers some of the best nature-viewing opportunities in the Peterborough area. The combination Read more…
Sightings
Comically tame Ruffed Grouse on Trans-Canada Trail near Lily Lake
If you are walking along the Trans-Canada Trail near Lily Lake, keep an eye out for a Ruffed Grouse, almost acting like a ‘tame chicken’ – on the main path between the pedestrian bridge to the new housing development and the Lily Lake bridge. My son Greg and I saw Read more…