I was observing the Common Loon family (2 adults and 2 very new chicks) on the Otonabee River just south of Lakefield today, June 27. A pair of loons nested here last year as well. As I watched, a Bald Eagle swooped by and posted himself in a nearby tree. Read more…
We spotted the male Peregrine Falcon today, June 27, standing guard next to the nest on Anstruther Lake. The female was sitting on the nest. We’ll keep you posted with their progress! Marie Duchesneau
The Hairy Woodpecker with a yellow crown came back to my feeder on June 26 and even posed for me! I was confused by the yellow coloration on the crown, instead of a red patch on the back of the head. Barb Logan Note: I did some research on this Read more…
Regarding the Nessus Sphinx reported by Stephenie Armstrong, they are likely fairly common here in Peterborough County, though I rarely see them myself. They do, however, seem to be a day-flier, and can therefore be confused with a Hemaris species like the Snowberry Clearwing. A few weeks ago, at my Read more…
We had a female Northern Flicker at the condo in Auburn on Armour Road North on June 16 and 17 at around noon. Gord Young
On Jun 23, 2017, at 9:23 PM, Scott Gibson via ONTBIRDS <birdalert@ontbirds.ca> wrote: The Dickcissel invasion has extended to the Kawarthas! This afternoon around 4:50, Iain Rayner found a male Dickcissel just north of Fowlers Corners (NW of Peterborough) @ 1203 Frank Hill Rd (County of Kawartha Lakes). It was Read more…
The tent caterpillar activity is quite evident in the Millbrook area this year, but at our summer home near Bon Echo Provincial Park, the damage done by Forest Tent Caterpillars is devastating. In many areas up to 80% of the canopy on elms and maples has been devoured. Ralph & Read more…
I found this Tufted Loosestrife earlier this week next to a Showy Lady’s-slipper on my property in Havelock. It was growing near water. Ulrike Kullik
We have a sweet smelling Abelia shrub that is proving to be very popular with the insect population. Visitors this month include our first and so far only Monarch, a Black Swallowtail, a White Admiral, and two hawkmoths, including the Hummingbird Clearwing and the Nessus Sphinx, the latter new to Read more…
Sedge Wren (Sedge) (Cistothorus platensis stellaris) (2) – Reported Jun 24, 2017 07:41 by Luke Berg – Miller Creek Conservation Area, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.3866915,-78.3501577&ll=44.3866915,-78.3501577 – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37767801 Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) (2) – Reported Jun 21, 2017 09:42 by Peterborough County Birds Database – Lakefield–Sewage Lagoons, Peterborough, Ontario Read more…
Now that summer has officially arrived, I would like to look ahead at some of the events in nature that we can expect over the next three months. The actual timing of events is directly affected by temperature, rainfall, and day length. While these environmental factors obviously change throughout the Read more…
I recently observed the Great Blue Heron rookery in the Trent Wildlife Sanctuary. As a point of interest, I noticed the rookery is quite visible from the height of land where the Tree Swallow/Eastern Bluebird research nesting site is located along the Blue trail, as one departs the Blue trail Read more…
I photographed this Showy Lady’s-slipper near Omemee on June 18. Trudy Gibson These Showy Lady’s-slippers are blooming (June 17) behind my house in Havelock, near the creek. Ulrike Kullik
I found this plant in the O’Hara Mill Homestead and Conservation Area near Madoc. It caught my attention last fall because of the interesting seed head. Do you have any idea what species it is? Ulrike Kullik, Havelock Note: According to Mike McMurtry, a local ecologist and botanist, this is Read more…
On June 14, while sitting in my screened room in Millbrook, this moth plummeted down from the heavens and landed on the table beside me. I have no idea where he came from. Perhaps he was sleeping along the rafter and fell(?) I thought he was dead. After looking at Read more…
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) (4) – Reported Jun 16, 2017 10:15 by Martin Parker – David Fife Liner – south end & Gillepie feeder, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.2580292,-78.133918&ll=44.2580292,-78.133918 – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37632606 – Media: 1 Photo Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) (1) – Reported Jun 16, 2017 07:50 by Iain Rayner Read more…
Every culture has its own origin story. They may be short anecdotes or elaborate narratives that help explain the mysteries of our existence. “Big History” is an origin story unlike any other. Instead of being rooted in a specific culture or geography, it presents a science-based perspective and is therefore Read more…
When it comes to seeing new species of plants and animals, a certain amount of effort is usually required. This might mean traveling to new locations and walking considerable distances. There is, however, a way to enjoy nature’s diversity that can appeal to even the most sedentary among us. Welcome Read more…
I was in to the Great Blue Heron rookery at the Trent University Wildlife Sanctuary and found the nests to be full. Carl Welbourn
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…
It was the Kirtland’s warbler that made our morning. In the red cedar ten metres off the trail, the small grey and yellow bird was all but invisible. Only when it flitted from one branch to another was there any chance of seeing it – and it didn’t flit often. Read more…