2013 Sightings Archive Table

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Date Sighting Location Observer
Apr. 22, 2013 Redheads (3 males only in south lagoon) and 3 pairs of Gadwall (in north lagoon) were still at Lakefield Sewage Lagoons at 5 p.m. today. In addition, there were 2 pairs of Northern Shoveler in the north lagoon, approximately 150 Bufflehead, 5 pairs Ring-necked Ducks, 4 pairs Greater/Lesser Scaup plus 6 males and 3 pairs of Mallard. Lakefield Sewage Lagoons, County Road 33, just east of County Road 32 Martyn Obbard
Apr. 22, 2013 A group of us (Don Sutherland, Simon Dodsworth, Cathy Darevic and I) found a Worm-eating Warbler this afternoon in Beavermead Park in the row of cedars directly behind (sw) the gatehouse. Beavermead Park Mike Burrell
Apr. 22, 2013 Today I saw my first Mourning Cloak Butterfly cruising around , stopping to sun her self. Also some of the native bees are out , carpenter and sweat bees, getting what ever food they can. I have put up some bee houses around the yard made from old hollow cup plant stems. We have alot of natural bee nesting sites but wanted to see if they will use these as well. Pigeon Lake Blair Hamilton
Apr. 22, 2013 This morning at 7 a.m. I had a singing male Black-throated Green Warbler outside my house. Benson Ave., Peterborough Luke Berg
Apr. 21, 2013 Today on the Ballyduff Trails, I had two Field Sparrows in full song. McKim-Garsonnin property, 851 Ballyduff Road, Pontypool Drew Monkman
Apr. 20, 2013 This morning there was an adult male White-crowned Sparrow and an Adult male Yellow-rumped Warbler at my feeders along with about 10 Juncos, 3 Song Sparrows, and a Northern Flicker. Luke Benson Ave., Peterborough Luke Berg
Apr. 18, 2013 Today I saw a pair of Eastern Bluebirds at the Keystone Golf Club. Keystone Golf Club Andrew Lipscombe
Apr. 17, 2013 This evening from 6:30 - 7:30 I walked the section of the rail trail northwest off Lily Lake. I saw the following birds: Rusty Blackbird 20+, Bohemian waxwing 30, Swamp Sparrow 1, Wilson's Snipe 5+, Wood Duck 10, Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and two female Red-winged Blackbirds. There were also several Spring Peepers. Lily Lake section of rail-trail Luke Berg
Apr. 17, 2013 Today, I had 16 Cedar Waxwings in my yard. Pinewood Drive, Peterborough Andrew Lipscombe
Apr. 17, 2013 My first of the year for the county seen today: Brown Thrasher – at the junction of Division Rd & Jermyn Line Wilson’s Snipe – in cattail marsh north of rail road north of Hwy 7 on Blezard Line Swamp Sparrows – at least six calling in the same cattail marsh Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – five heard seen east and south of Peterborough Blue-winged Teal – pair in wet meadow on Blezard Line just north of the TCT (about 50 other ducks there, mostly Mallard but a dozen Northern Pintails and four American Black Ducks) Savannah Sparrow – Yesterday on Douro Centre Rd west of Douro 3rd Line, today on TCT just east of Blezard Line Other notable sightings: First Eastern Comma butterfly Midland Painted Turtles sunning themselves in a pond on Douro 8th Line south of River Rd Spring Peepers calling in several places (I had a Leopard Frog hopping along a road yesterday) American Kestrels seen at seven spots Flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds on Douro 8th Line Several Ruby-crowned Kinglets Several Golden-crowned Kinglets including one flock of ten birds Two male Northern Harrier, one of which was doing its display flight, looping up and down and occasionally somersaulting at the top of its loops. The latter was at the junction of Cty Rd 38 and Hwy 7 Fox Sparrow on TCT east of Cameron Line Greater Yellowlegs in large pond at the junction of Division Rd and Indian River Line various Tony Bigg
Apr. 17, 2013 Today (April 17th) at lunch, Cathy Darevic, Simon Dodsworth and I went in search of the pair of Canvasbacks that had been present at Fothergill Isle since at least April 6th. We were unsuccessful in that search, but while scanning Gannon Narrows from the Gannon Narrows Marina (44.4711, -78.4695) at the north end of Gallivan Dr off Fothergill Rd, we heard the distinctive calls of a Boreal Chickadee. We were able to locate the calling bird at the west end of the marina parking area in a small white cedar tree. While we watched it worked its way to the top and then flew a short distance to an adjacent maple where we all had brief but satisfactory looks at it before it flew east across the parking area to some dense cedar growth behind the marina office. I broadcast some calls in the hope of enticing it back into view, but to no avail. It may still be in the area and perhaps has been visiting a local bird feeder. Gannon's Narrows Don Sutherland
Apr. 17, 2013 Hermit Thrush, Field Sparrow & Ruby-crowned Kinglet between Nassau Mills and Dafoe Dr., off trail, 7:30 am. Yellow-rumped Warbler (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3), male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ecology Park, noon. Now it is going to all come too fast. Nassau Mills and Ecology Park Sean Smith
Apr.17 , 2013 On Sunday afternoon (April 14th) I saw an Osprey sitting on the nesting platform at Young's Point next to the Hway 28 bridge. Young's Point Sheelagh Hysenaj
Apr.17 , 2013 Walked the woods and along the bay off Thompson Creek (Scollard Drive area) this a.m. Saw 2 Caspian Terns, Bufflehead, Wood Ducks, Kingfisher, Osprey, TV's, 1 RC Kinglet, 10 GC Kinglets, 1 Field Sparrow, 10 Song Sparrows, Junco, Hairy Woodpecker, WB Nuthatch, 2 YB Sapsuckers, 8 N Flickers, 50 Tree Swallows, 2 Cardinals, 1 E Phoebe, Ruffed Grouse drumming. Also, 2 Mourning Cloak butterflies. At my yard 2 WT Deer, 3 Purple Finch, 25 C Redpolls. Dave Milsom Scollard Drive Dave Milsom
Apr.16 , 2013 Lakefield Park – A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was seen singing in the cedars, and a Greater Yellowlegs was calling from the marsh. A large number of Barn Swallows are now mixed in with the even larger numbers of Tree Swallows flying by the marsh. Forgot to mention that yesterday when we were birding in the north of the county we noticed that the Coltsfoot is in bloom in several places. Lakefield Tony Bigg
Apr.15 , 2013 Today Jerry Ball, Bob Prentice and I found a Compton’s Tortoiseshell on Beaver Lake Rd, a Mourning Cloak on Cedarwood Rd, and four more Mourning Cloaks on Pencil Lake Rd. On the birding front we also had a Red-shouldered Hawk on Beaver Lake Rd. Beaver Lake Road area Tony Bigg
Apr. 15, 2013 Walking my dog by the Lakefield Marsh today I saw a Trumpeter Swan (L97) and heard, then saw, a Sandhill Crane flying over. Lots of ducks are still around. In my yard in Lakefield a Fox Sparrow was under my feeder. The Common Redpolls are still hanging around. Lakefield Tony Bigg
Apr. 10, 2013 This morning Jerry Ball and I heard a singing Field Sparrow from the west end of Zion Line. Yesterday I saw a Sandhill Crane in a field on Oke Rd north of Warsaw. It was feeding close to a flock of Wild Turkeys. Also yesterday I saw four Eastern Phoebes, including one in my backyard. I heard Evening Grosbeaks calling in two places, one from the woods on South Beach Rd in Young’s Point, and the other right by Camp Kawartha on Birchview Rd. Golden-crowned Kinglets were singing in Lakefield Park both yesterday and this morning. On Monday Jerry Ball found a Greater Yellowlegs in a pond on Nicholson Rd in the south of the county. various Tony Bigg
Apr. 10, 2013 I had the most beautiful Ring-necked Pheasant cock stroll through my backyard and have lunch at my neighbour's bird feeder. What a magificent bird! My neighbour, Gail, says he has been coming for about two weeks. And no apparent fear - just a majestic strut across the grass and eventually through the cedar hedge into the O'Grady property behind me. (N.B. The bird has been present in the McCrea Drive/ Fairbairn area for about a month. D.M.) Fairbairn Street, Peterborough Mary Rawlings
Apr. 9, 2013 I observed a pair of Sandhill Cranes heading for the spot they nested in last year near Gannon's Narrows. Hope it is a repeat. Gannon's Narrows Jim Watt
Apr. 8, 2013 This evening there were over 200 Northern Leopard Frogs on University Road. Along Birchview Rd just north of Lakefield there where: Blue-spotted Salamander - 76, Yellow-spotted Salamander - 14, Wood Frog - 5, Spring Peeper - 30, Northern Leopard Frog - 2 University Road and Birchview Road Luke Berg
Apr. 8, 2013 A Merlin just drilled a crow in front of our Parks Canada office on Little Lake - almost half a clik away from nest. Our office smokers (3 left) were impressed, or amused by me, I couldn't tell which! In addition, on Little Lake, last week I saw: Great Black-backed Gull-2nd spring, April 2. Double-crested Cormorant -April 5. Little Lake Sean Smith
Apr. 8, 2013 We have a leucistic (partially white) Common Grackle that has visited our yard quite a bit for the last week. I’ve attached a picture of it. It is lacking of pigment on its head. A couple years ago we had an albino bird in the neighbourhood – it was completely white and hanging with the grackles and starlings Stewart Hall, Otonabee Twsp Tracey Carr
Apr. 7, 2013 Walking the Rotary Trail on Sunday I had the privilege to see a Pileated woodpecker at a very close range. I was taken by its beautiful red crown and black and white eye markings. This large bird was feeling his oats and acted very comically bouncing around on an old tree stump. Too bad the proposed Parkway will interfere with it's nesting habits. He's been breeding here for years. Rotary Trail Barb Evett
Apr. 7, 2013 Eight intrepid folks, not intimidated by the ominous forecast, were rewarded by reasonable weather and a vanguard of early bird migrants for PFN’s 2013 inaugural edition of the Sunday morning wildlife walks. It being early spring, we stuck mostly with the birds. Flybys at the zoo meeting area included Wood Duck, Osprey and Common Goldeneye. At Little Lake Cemetery singing Eastern Phoebes, Am. Robins, White-throated, American Tree and Dark-eyed Junco Sparrows, besides the usual chickadees and cardinals, counted as the current spring chorus, but could not drown out the nesting Merlins. The latter gave spectacular shows, twice perching within 50 feet of us. On the Otonabee were Am. Coots, Pied-billed Grebes, a Cm. Loon (present Sat.), and several duck species, but numbers are much reduced – Redheads absent, for instance- but we may have been guilty of lax scanning, as we did not see a reported Red-necked Grebe. A Belted Kingfisher made sure he was noticed. Tree Swallows, as they have been for about a week now along the river corridor, sometimes in the scores, were high overhead. The Mathers Corner’s ephemeral pond has considerably dried up, although there was a Northern Shrike farther south. Along a meandering route, to and from Garden Hill, including a mandatory stop for butter tarts and cookies in Baileboro, we observed another shrike, kestrels, an Eastern Meadowlark and a female Northern Harrier. Ospreys, at least 9 on the trip, and many on nests, have arrived. Killdeer were heard at almost every stop, but no other shorebirds could be dredged up. The main Garden Hill Pond had a Trumpeter Swan, (another pr. was in a nearby cornfield), but a small roadside pond just east of there had Wood Duck, American Wigeon and a drake Green-winged Teal. At Mill Road Pond we added a Gadwall. In less than 4 hours birding and depending on who was counting, we saw or heard about 45 species. Thanks to Jerry Ball and Tony Bigg for assistance. A Fox Sparrow was at my feeder when I returned home. various Sean Smith
Apr. 7, 2013 In the woods NE of Cavan were two fox sparrows. Nearby fields had lots of mallards, several wood ducks, a couple of black ducks, and one pintail. I heard a kingfisher over the creek and watched a male pileated excavating a nest hole. Cavan Scott McKinley
Apr. 7, 2013 On today's Ontario Field Ornithologists trip the group saw a total of 61 species. We birded the Otonabee River, Lakefield Sewage Lagoons, the Nephton and Petroglyphs area, Burleigh Falls, Young's Point Road, Orange Corners and Morton Line. Highlights included 15 species of waterfowl, 2 Bald Eagles at the nest on Lake Katchewanook and 2 Osprey at the nest at Trent University, Fox Sparrow, Common Redpoll, Killdeer, Horned Lark, 4 Eastern Meadowlarks, Eastern Phoebe, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Raven, Brown Creeper, Northern Shrike, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Harrier, and Cedar Waxwing. At day's end Luke Berg and I saw 4 Cackling Geese at Briar Hill Sanctuary. Also found : River Otter, White-tailed Deer and Blue Spotted Salamander. Thanks to Luke and Kevin Shackleton for their help today. various Dave Milsom
Apr. 6, 2013 This morning there were at least 2 sandhill cranes heard calling along the section of the 9th line of Douro north of Parkhill Rd in the ploughed field. There where also 6 Blue-spotted Salamanders in a flooded ditch on Camp Line Rd and Osprey at Trent fixing the nest. Today at about 2 pm there were 4 Cackling Geese at the Briar Hill Bird Sanctuary on County Road 28 at County Road 21. various Luke Berg
Apr. 5, 2013

A nice day to go for a drive! Recent arrivals that I saw include: 3 Eastern Meadowlarks on David Fife Line between Hope Mill Rd and Nelson Rd 1 Eastern Bluebird at the intersection of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) and Settlers Line (I also had one yesterday at Flynn’s Corner) 3 Ospreys - a pair on a nest immediately west of Keene and one on a nest at the Trent campus. Several Killdeer, 8 Green-winged Teal at Mathers Corners 4 Northern Pintail at Mathers Corners 1Sharp-shinned Hawk on Drummond Line just north of Mathers Corners Approx. 50 Tree Swallows north of Lock 23 1 Barn Swallow with the above. Also saw the Wood Ducks and Pied-billed Grebe reported by Luke. Many Turkey Vultures including two sitting on separate barn roofs. 37 species in total

Yesterday evening, Bob Prentice and I heard several American Woodcocks calling from the Trent Wildlife Sanctuary car park. The birds started calling at 8:05 pm.

various - see email Tony Bigg
Apr. 5, 2013 I heard a Common Loon in the wee hours of April 1 (no fooling!) and again this morning. Buckhorn Lake Toni Sinclair
Apr. 5, 2013 This morning there was a Pied-billed Grebe and 12 Wood ducks in the bay at lock 23. There are also at least 8 Great Blue Herons at the University road wetland. Otonabee River and University Road Wetland Luke Berg
April 2, 2013 Gannon Narrows north of Ennismore had many ducks over the 2013 Easter weekend. In the late afternoon on 31 March, I checked the Narrows from two locations - the bridge (not recommended if significant traffic) and from the southernmost shore of Oak Orchard Estates. The strong current through the Narrows creates open water all winter and on this day the ice-free water extended from Jacob Island in Pigeon Lake to the bridge and to beyond the two islands (Kishgo and Morrsey) in Buckhorn Lake. Ice bordered some shorelines. Gannon Bay in Buckhorn Lake was totally ice-covered. Many ducks were milling about the ice border of Morrsey Island and along the ice edge over to Gannon Bay. The numbers of waterfowl that I identified on 31 March were: Common Goldeneye - 380 in Buckhorn Lake and 220 in Pigeon Lake Hooded Merganser - 30 in Buckhorn and 26 in Pigeon Common Merganser - 30 in Buckhorn and 15 in Pigeon Bufflehead - 45 in Buckhorn and 6 in Pigeon Mallard - 2 in Buckhorn and 8 in Pigeon Ring-necked Duck - 400 in Buckhorn (mainly along the ice border on Morrsey Island) Greater Scaup - 40 in Buckhorn Wood Duck - 14 in Buckhorn American Wigeon - 2 (a pair) in Buckhorn Redhead - 2 (a pair) in Buckhorn Wood Duck - 14 in Buckhorn (10 in a loose group on Morrsey ice border) Canada Goose - 15 in Buckhorn and 2 in Pigeon Swan sp (I lean towards a Trumpeter) - 1 appeared suddenly, flying in Buckhorn to and over the causeway to Pigeon. On 1 April a strong NW wind over Pigeon into Buckhorn Lake produced very rough water which probably scattered the birds, as they were much less obvious especially along the ice edges. However, I did find a large group in Buckhorn Lake along the ice border on the southeast shoreline of Oak Orchard, opposite the docking facility. In this sheltered location about 120 Common Merganser, 80 Hooded Merganser and a few Bufflehead milled about in a mixed group close to shore. Buckhorn Lake Bryan Watt
April 2, 2013 Bob and I were visiting the Arboretum at The Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, taking advantage of some fantastic warm spring weather. In a muddy patch at the edge of the Marsh Trail, we spotted Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) plants…lots of them, in fact.poking up through the dead and decaying leaf matter. (N.B. THIS SPECIES HAS NOT YET BEEN FOUND IN PTBO CTY AS FAR AS I KNOW. D.M.) Cootes Paradise, HAMILTON Jean and Bob Hilscher at "Frame by Frame" nature blog
Apr. 1, 2013 I birded from Trent U. to Lakefield today along the Otonabee River. Many ducks. Saw all 3 merganser species, large flocks of Bufflehead and Ring-necked Ducks, Scaup (Greater ?), Common Goldeneyes, Redhead, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Black Duck, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Grackles, and Turkey Vultures. Otonabee River Dave Milsom
Mar. 31, 2013 Saw first Osprey return to nesting platform just outside keen on Cty. Rd.#2 west of town this morning. Keene Rick Stankiewicz
Mar. 31, 2013 We heard two American Woodcock last night at 8:56 pm from the dead end at the southwest end of Jameson Drive (just west of Fisher Dr) in SW Peterborough. After peenting for a minute one flew up and away to the south while another continued peenting. Also heard were Killdeer, and 200 flyover Canada Geese and Mallards. There were also 4 Tree Swallows flying over Little Lake at 5:02 pm on 31 March viewed from the cemetery. Also a Pied-billed Grebe on the lake. Lots of birds seem to be arriving. I also had an Eastern Meadowlark and Northern Flicker on Stewart Line. SW Peterborough and LIttle Lake Chris Risley and Erica No
Mar. 31, 2013 This morning I was walking my dogs on the and saw 2 wood ducks, 1 eastern phoebe, and two brown-headed cowbirds. 9th line of Douro Luke Berg
Mar. 30, 2013 Lots of early spring migrants seen today, including turkey vulture, killdeer, horned lark, winter wren and wood duck. Last evening heard an American woodcock peenting in the field behind my house. Bethany Kim Clark
Mar. 29, 2013 JB Jaboor reported to me that he had a Turkey Vulture on Crowley Line yesterday. I had six, myself, today, four in the south of the county and two near Lakefield. One was sitting atop an old barn on Cameron Line south of Hwy 7 – a likely place for its nest. Maureen Smith reports that the Osprey returned this morning to the Indian River behind her house in Warsaw. Maybe this is the same Osprey that remained there until late November. various Tony Bigg
Mar. 28, 2013 Last evening (March 27, 2013) I spent a little over an hour checking out a few spots around the east end of Rice Lake for waterfowl. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The Mather's Corners meltwater pond is about 10% open now and should fully open this weekend. There is also continuous open water east of Birdsall Line and a small patch of open water SW of the Birdsall Warf (need a scope to see the ducks). The highest numbers of ducks was around the end of Asphodel 2nd Line. Here's my summary of waterfowl from eBird: Canada Goose 62 American Wigeon 1 American Black Duck 13 Mallard 57 Northern Pintail 2 Green-winged Teal 2 Redhead 30 Ring-necked Duck 21 Lesser Scaup 6 Bufflehead 13 Common Goldeneye 161 Hooded Merganser 14 Common Merganser 382 Rice Lake area Mike Burrell
Mar. 27, 2013 Waterfowl on Little Lake this morning included several Redhead, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Hooded and Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and Mallards, all in breeding plumage and activity finery. The merlin was also giving fluttery display flights. Cheers, Sean Little Lake Sean Smith
Mar. 26, 2013 Today on little lake, I saw hooded merganser, bufflehead, am. widgeon, common goldeneye, redhead, ring necked duck,greater scaup, and common merganser merlin. On March 29 at the zoo, I heard a merlin calling. When I spotted it high up in a white pine, I saw a male merlin swoop down and mount the female.....very quickly....not much fun there! Little Lake and Peterborough Zoo Mitch Brownstein
Mar. 23, 2013 Today I saw 6 horned larks in open fields west of 1/4 line on South side. 10am 12th Line of Cavan Ken Rumble
Mar. 22, 2013 Today I saw Hooded Merganzers, Ring-necked Ducks , Coot, Merlins, Common Mergansers, mallards, Canada Geese, Common Goldeneyes and Buffleheads in and around Little Lake Cemetery. Little Lake Cemetery Ken Rumble
  MARCH 2013 WEATHER NOTES (source: Geoff Coulson Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Environment Canada 416-739-4466) The most noteworthy aspect of March in Ontario was its dryness. Despite the overall drier conditions, Sudbury and North Bay bucked the trend. Snowfall amounts were within normal values with the exception of Moosonee and Wawa Temperature-wise, mean temperatures were within the normal range for this month throughout the province.    
Mar. 21, 2013 Evening Grosbeaks come to my feeder on a daily basis, and have been doing so since the fall. 209 Zion Line, 1st concession south of Millbrook, near the western end of it. Sitting in middle of 62 acres of old Xmas tree farm. Jim Lloyd
Mar. 21, 2013 There were 3 tundra swans on the Otonabee River on the north side of Lock 24 at 4 pm this afternoon. Got a very close look with my scope, and could see the yellow on the bill of one of them. Kim Clark - Bethany Lock 24, Otonabee River Kim Clark
Mar. 21, 2013 A great blue heron just flew by in this snowstorm. Poor thing..probably looking for open water. Buckhorn Lake.. Kawartha Hideway. JP Kawartha Hideway, Buckhorn Lake Jane Philpott
Mar. 19, 2013 Today, I had a male Ring-necked Pheasant in my yard. It stayed most of the day. (Pheasants turn up around Peterborough several times a year but where they are coming from - someone's escaped pet? - is a mystery. D.M.) McCrae Drive, Peterborough Liliana Perez
Mar. 18, 2013 Tonight I had the pleasure of having a Great Horned Owl pay a brief visit to my yard. It landed on the roof of the house and I was able to see the long tufts on the head and even the talons. Unfortunately, it didn't stay long. Warsaw Didi Anderson
Mar. 18, 2013 It is good to have the birds returning. With the cooper's hawk hanging around so much this winter, things were quiet at my feeders compared to other years. Yesterday there were 12 different species including 6 immature pine grosbeaks and 6 redpolls. Sue Paradisis Tudor Cres. Peterborough Sue Paradisis
Mar. 17, 2013 I just got back from the Garden Hill pond where there were 2700 Canada Geese. In amongst them there were at least 10 Cackling Geese, 6 American Wigeon, 2 Hooded Merganser, and 1 Blue Morph Snow Goose. There was also 1 Cedar Waxwing. To reach the pond turn right off of County Road 28 onto Ganaraska Road. The pond is on the right hand side of the road at the start of Mill Street. Garden Hill, ON Luke Berg
Mar. 16, 2013 This morning we had two adult and one juvenile Trumpeter Swans at Gannon Narrows. They were swimming in the open water between the Gannon Narrows Bridge and Fothergill Island. Lots of ducks and geese as well. Gannon's Narrows Jim Watt
Mar. 15, 2013 We saw our first Turkey Vulture of the new year today at Gannon Narrows. It was just soaring over the tree tops. Gannon's Narrows Jim Watt
Mar. 15, 2013 I saw my first Turkey Vulture today, soaring over Costco on the Parkway. Parkway Drew Monkman
Mar. 14, 2013 A Great Gray Owl was seen and photographed this afternoon on the west side of County Road 10, just north of Cavan near Morton Line. It was gone by the end of the day and, despite a lot of searching, was never relocated. Cavan village reported to Martin Parker by Cavan resident
Mar. 13, 2013 A drive along the edge of Little Lake through the cemetery today produced 30+ Hooded Mergansers, 10 Common Mergansers, 5 Lesser Scaup, 6 Buffleheads, 1 Ring-necked Duck, 1 American Wigeon, 50+ Mallards, 1 Black Duck, 100+ Canada Geese, 1 Merlin and 1 adult Bald Eagle. Little Lake Cemetery, Peterborough Drew Monkman
Mar. 13, 2013 I have an Eastern Meadowlark here in my yard foraging on the lawn. Never seen one before. Very exciting. Kawartha Hideaway, Buckhorn Lake Jane Philpott
Mar. 12, 2013 With ice disappearing, a quick survey of Little Lk. yielded: 3 Gadwall, 3 Greater Scaup, 50+ Hooded Mergansers, 35+ Ring-necked Ducks, and more Bufflehead than recently. Definitely heard Merlin, but still have not seen it. Robins now becoming common. Still one adult Glaucous Gull here today. Lots of American Robins in the Highland Park Cemetery on River Road South. Northern Shrike on Highway 115 and 7a (Moore).

Little Lake, Ptbo

Highland Park Cemetery, Ptbo

Sean Smith
Mar. 11, 2013 Wood Ducks, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Mallards, Canada Geese, American Widgeon, Ring-necked Ducks, Scaup Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common Mergansers and Hooded Mergansers are all at Little Lake today. Little Lake, Ptbo Ken Rumble
Mar. 11, 2013 March-first of season for me Northern Flicker and first I've ever had eating suet (north of TASSS). Thought I heard a Merlin over Little Lk. TASSS, Little Lake Sean Smith
Mar. 11, 2013 Today the trees were full of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles and European Starlings.. just arrived. Heard a Killdeer flying in the area as well. The waters at Gannons Narrows (County Road 16/Lakehurst Road)are really open now .. full of diving ducks, Canada Geese. Great birding for sure. You can park on the east side of the causeway. Kawartha Hideaway, Buckhorn Lake Jane Philpott
Mar. 11, 2013 Ah,Spring ... “ when a young man’s thoughts turn ...etc etc” ....... my thoughts turned to a pair of Eastern Bluebirds who began to scout out my orchard boxes outside of Keene on Saturday, March 9. David Fife Line Michael Gillespie
Mar. 11, 2013 A small flock of Common Grackles was in downtown Lakefield today. Jerry Ball and I saw half-a-dozen Killdeer on Lakeshore Rd between Newcastle and Port Hope today so they should be in the county any time now. We did have just one Horned Lark at Cty Rd 2 and Scrivens Rd this afternoon. various Tony Benn
Mar. 11, 2013 At my feeders today I had two male Brown-headed Cowbirds and a male Red-winged Blackbird - yay - spring is near. Kim Clark - Bethany Bethany Kim Clark
Mar. 11, 2013 First heard, than saw through the fog a flock of swans (Trumpeter?) flying over Fothergill Island in Pigeon Lake heading southwest. Also, neighbours have seen several robins today. Fothergill Island, Piegeon Lake Rose Rogers
Mar. 10, 2013 Yesterday, there was a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings in Beavermead Park. They were working the trees with the dried up black fruit along the river. Definitely not Cedar Waxwings. Beavermead Park Larry Love
Mar. 10, 2013 Today at noon I had a quick look at Little Lake to find a good assortment of ducks including 2 American Wigeon, 5 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Ring-necked Ducks some Buffleheads and the big find was a single Male Canvasback that flew in during my visit. In addition there were the usual suspects that have been hanging around the past month including Mallards, Canada Geese, Common Goldeneye, Common Mergnasers and the male Red-breasted Merganser and the scaup. Also, last Saturday I came across an early Eastern Meadowlark and a bunch of Horned Larks on Zion Rd. Little Lake, Zion Road Scott Gibson
Mar. 10, 2013 Walking my dog this morning, alongside the Lakefield Marsh, I was glad to hear the calls of half-a-dozen Red-winged Blackbirds. Also the Canada Geese had become very vocal, choosing mates, and disputing territories. Yesterday a male Northern Harrier was quartering the marsh where they normally breed. Two male Hooded Mergansers were in the Otonabee River behind the Lakefield Arena. Mourning Doves were cooing around the village. Spring seems to have arrived!! Lakefield Tony Bigg
Mar. 10, 2013 This morning, I heard my first American Robin in the neighbourhood since late last fall. Not singing but calling loudly. Strong smell of Striped Skunk last night, too, as males are "on the prowl" searching out females. Maple Cres. Drew Monkman
Mar. 7, 2013 Today, while walking along Bartlett Road south of the airport I saw a woolly bear caterpillar crawling along in a mild snow storm. This is the earliest I have seen active woolly bear caterpillars. Yesterday, while walking along Mervin Road west of Airport Road, I saw a caterpillar that I think may be a Spotted? Tussock Moth? caterpillar. Airport area Sherry Hambly
Mar. 7, 2013 Singing Song Sparrow at Cunningham Blvd & Armour Rd., north of TASSS, and a singing Brown-headed Cowbird near there. see email Sean Smith
Mar. 7, 2013 I just had a flock of over 150 Bohemian Waxwings in my yard. They were feeding in the crab apple and getting birch seeds from a shed roof. Tudor Crescent, Peterborough Sue Paradisis
Mar. 7, 2013 I found another Cecropia Moth cocoon in the field . All the ones I found have been on Buckthorn although it is not a host plant listed. I have brought it home and hopefully it will emerge this spring. Have read that this species is in decline due to the tachinid fly that was brought over to kill off the gypsy moth but has also attack some silk moths. I guess they sometimes do not plan well. The Glen, Pigeon Lake Blair Hamilton
Mar. 7, 2013 We came to our cottage on Lower Buckhorn Lake today and around 5:00 pm I spotted what I thought was an eagle flying in front of the cottage over the open water. We realized afterwards that this was actually an Osprey. Two of them landed on the ice at the waters edge and stayed there for about half an hour while we watched them through our spotting scope. This is the earliest we have seen Osprey around here. On February 23, a Bald Eagle landed in the pine tree on a small island on the lake and stayed there for about 10 minutes. Lower Buckhorn Lake Rose Marie Rosada
Mar. 6, 2013 Drake Red-breasted Merganser still on Otonabee, cemetary and rail bridge, below Little Lake. Near tail-less imm. Cooper's Hawk in trees around St Georges United, McDonnell & George (this is at least the third time this winter I've had an accipiter in a downtown churchyard - perhaps I'm missing the message) . see email Sean Smith
  FEBRUARY 2013 WEATHER NOTES (source: Geoff Coulson Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Environment Canada 416-739-4466) Winter was back and Ontarian landscapes were covered with a thick blanket of snow this month. Temperatures oscillated this month, but not as drastically as in January. Overall, mean temperatures remained within the normal range, with northern locations being slightly colder than normal whereas eastern and southern locations were slightly warmer. Precipitation mostly fell as snowfall this month. Locations in northeastern Ontario and near the shores of Georgian Bay received in the range of from 1 ½ to 3 1/2 times the snowfall normally expected in February.    
Mar. 3, 2013 Today, I saw a dead Fisher on the west side of Highway 115 going south between Airport Road and Highway 28 exits. Highway 115 Sherry Hambly
Feb. 28, 2013 Starlings fighting over nest holes in light poles along east side of Ashburnham, below Lift Lock. see email Sean Smith
Feb. 28, 2013 I was quite surprised this morning to see three Eastern Bluebirds, two male and one female, in the grassy area under my neighbour’s deck. 227 Carnegie, phase 1 of the Triple T Development “Ferghana” in the north end of Peterborough Joan Chubb
Feb. 24, 2013

I had an Eastern Screech Owl, today, taking a snooze on a ledge outside my shed.

"Early this morning my dog Earl, sitting on his couch in front of the HD window, as we call it, let out ear piercing barks that made his body bounce at an intruder in his yard. Sitting in a pool of bloody snow was a Barred Owl. He was not the source of blood but a rabbit whose one ear, no longer attached to the head, was protruding from the owl's beak. Not a pleasant sight but everyone has to eat and that he did. Without disturbing him, we watched and I snapped a few pictures with my phone, through the dirty window- make a note to wash those this year. Occasionally he put his head up and looked me directly in the eyes daring me to, I know not what. Whether his appetite had been filled or the two pair of eyes watching him were annoying to the diner, he decided to move. Rabbit in his strong claws, he unfurled his big wings and flapped the 'going up' flap. Nothing but a small drag forward. Repeat the performance. Result was the same. He puffed out his chest feathers and appeared to make even his wings twice as big. An intake of breath and a bit of what might be considered a jump start and ........ nothing. No wonder the owl makes a good cartoon character. At this point I felt sorry for him. With intent to pick up the rabbit with a shovel and heave it over the fence, out of sight and smell of the dog, I went outside. Owl flew silently into the bush. His rabbit awaits." From Marie's blog "Dogpatch" at http://msdogpatch.blogspot.ca

Bailieboro, near Rice Lake Marie Adamcryck
Feb. 24, 2013 From the vantage of Old Young's Point Rd at Miller Creek, an adult (presumably the female) Bald Eagle could be seen sitting low in the nest. The other adult was observed in flight N over the open lead immediately east of the mouth of Miller Creek. Young's Point Road (Cty Rd 25) Don Sutherland
Feb. 24, 2013 At least three Northern Cardinals were singing lustfully at 8:00 a.m. this morning - all more or less at the same time - in our neighbourhood. This is the most cardinal song I've heard this "pre-spring." Maple Cres., Peterborough Drew Monkman
Feb. 23, 2013 On a fairly mild Saturday, sixteen sharp-eyed participants enjoyed a couple of hours looking for wintering birds and signs of spring along on the Otonabee River on the annual Peterbrough Field Naturalists' Heritage Week field trip offering. The river has very few open areas from Lakefield to below Lock 19 in Peterborough, but where those open leads are, waterfowl congregate. After meeting at the zoo we trouped downhill to see a beautiful drake Ring-necked Duck accompanying a flock of displaying Common Goldeneye. A earlier scouting trip yielded only more goldeneye and Common Mergansers to the north, so we decided to head directly to Beavermead Beach where there remains a drake Red-breasted Merganser, at least four adult Glaucous Gulls and a pair of Canada Geese, along with a larger flock of "Whistlers". There were Brown Creepers giving good shows at the zoo and Ecology Park, White-breasted Nuthatches, Mourning Doves and Black-capped Chickadees, but little else. South of Lock #19, where Park St. bends into Cameron St. there were two Black Ducks accompanying Mallards. We did not see any Bufflehead or Long-tailed Ducks. Otonabee River, Peterborough Sean Smith
Feb. 23, 2013 On the Friday of the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 15, I was fascinated to witness around noon, a Northern Shrike chase a common house sparrow right into the window I was observing from! The Northern Shrike then dropped to the veranda holding the sparrow down with its claws. It then started to peck away and feast on it! After about 1 minute of this, the shrike then flew away carrying the sparrow with it in its claws! This is the 4th winter I have had a Northern Shrike hang around my backyard, but the first time I have witnessed an actual catch! Sincerely, Jackie Tokarz Ennismore Ennismore Jackie Tokarz

FAQ

Feb. 23, 2013

Don Davis, a leading expert on Monarchs in Ontario, discussed the matter of growing milkweeds in gardens with the Chief Weed Inspector for Ontario, who stated that the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture does not have a problem with anyone growing milkweeds in their garden unless this is close to horticultural or agricultural crops. Many feel that our Ontario Weed Control Act needs revising. Here is what is posted on the internet at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/faq_weeds_act.htm#can Can I plant milkweed in my garden? As long as the population of milkweed planted doesn't negatively affect agricultural or horticultual land by spreading seed and new vegetative plant material (i.e. root stock) into fields, nurseries or greenhouses then it is acceptable to plant milkweed in your garden. It is recommended that you consult with your local weed inspector and/or neighbours so that all parties involved are comfortable that the impact to agriculture or horticulture is negligible. Municipalities are another matter. In many cases, the Weed Control Act is used to force certain property owners to clean up their properties and lots. I have never heard of anyone being charged for having milkweed growing and contained in their garden. The same with regard to the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, which requires permits for rearing monarchs. I have never heard of anyone, including hundreds of teachers who rear monarchs in the classroom, being bothered by MNR. Toronto Don Davis
Feb. 22, 2013 Since November we have had a flock of up to 27 Evening Grosbeaks. 10 years ago we saw them regularly on their migration path but this is the first time since then. And surprisingly enough, they have stayed all winter. Far fewer Blue Jays than usual, however. north shore of Stony Lake at Eels Creek Joanne Misener
Feb. 22, 2013 Three Evening Grosbeaks flew over the parking lot at the Kawartha Nordic Ski Club at about 2 p.m. today. Haultain Drew Monkman
Feb. 22, 2013 A dozen Pine Grosbeaks were feeding in the trees in the Lakefield Campsite beside the marsh this lunchtime. The number of Common Goldeneyes in and south of Lakefield has steadily climbed this last week as they gradually inch northwards. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was hunting around Clementi Rd. Lakefield Tony Bigg
Feb. 21, 2013 I have had a female Pine Grosbeak at my bird feeder at the Peterborough West Animal Hospital twice in the last week. I don't know if I have ever seen one up close before, but I am certain that this is what it is as it looks exactly like the one on whatbird.com. corner of Stewart Line and HIghway 7, just south of Monaghan Lumber Scott Sargent
Feb. 18, 2013 1 male Hooded Merganser with 3 male Common Goldeneye on Otonabee river in stretch of open water, seen by walking down path at the end of Carolyn street; follow the ATV tracks to the rivers edge where you can see open water. Johnston Drive, Peterborough Matthew Tobey
Feb. 18, 2013 I was amazed to see a Brown-headed Cowbird at my feeder. They are usually just here in the spring & summer. It was eating my songbird mix. Bailieboro Sandy Kirkland
Feb. 17, 2013 Recently, I found mice in my garage and set some traps. The next morning I looked and two traps were full. I was going to take care of them later in the afternoon except they were gone when I got back - the mice and the traps. I suspect a weasel took off with them. Omemee Tom Beaney
Feb. 15, 2013 Today, I saw a Red-breasted Merganser (female-type) on the Otonabee River beside the Little Lake Cemetery. SE corner of Little Lake Cemetery under old railway bridge Mike Burrell
Feb. 15, 2013 Today, I saw a male Long-tailed Duck on the Otonabee River, just south of Trent University. Otonabee River at Trent University Brendan Boyd
Feb. 15, 2013 Since retiring I have developed some new habits and one is standing at the back window watching activity in the yard. After a recent light snowfall my wife, Lynn , threw some bread pieces on the deck. I was not surprised at all to see a large American Crow swoop down and grab a postage stamp size morsel but I was curious when it flew to the top of the garage and pushed it under the fresh layer of snow. As I continued to watch , the crow flew away but returned in about 2 minutes with another crow. They landed on the garage and the crow I assumed to be #1 uncovered the hidden treasure and stepped aside while the crow in tow began to feed. At that point the alpha crow , if there's any such thing , hopped around to the back and mounted crow #2. I hope they didn't notice me in the window , it is hard to tell when a crow blushes. It was my David Attenborough moment! Benson Ave., Peterborough Terry O'Keefe
Feb. 14, 2013 We feed the birds regularly in our yard and have an abundance of all the "usual" visitors to the feeders. Over the past few weeks, we have had regular visits from a Cooper's Hawk. He/she is very large and is also predatory on the songbirds. We have had a few casualties identified by a clump of feathers left in the snow. This past Sunday the hawk swooped into the side of our house in pursuit of a Mourning Dove and then lit on our feeder platform to find his prey. The hawk left with no lunch and the dove - while stunned and lying in the snow on the deck - ventually flew off apparently unscathed. Fife's Bay at the lower end of Chemong Lake Nancy Cafik
Feb. 10, 2013 I was skiing with my wife along the York River in the south township of Algonquin Park today. We were bush-wacking through untracked snow and saw male and female Fisher tracks. The male seemed attentive to the female. Last year about the same time I saw similar tracks in the same location and as you know I saw them at the Kawartha Nordic trails a week or so ago. Even if they actually mate later, perhaps something is going on. A little later down the trail we came across wolf tracks. There were two of them and I could see where they had rolled in the trail and had laid down for a while. The male cocked his leg on a birch tree and the female squatted and there were drops of blood with her urine. -gestation period for wolves is 60 days - I shouldn't say it but Valentines is coming up! Algonquin Park KIng Baker
 

JANUARY 2013 WEATHER NOTES (source: Geoff Coulson Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Environment Canada 416-739-4466) Mother Nature could not make up her mind this month between a winter thaw and cold spells, so Ontarians saw both record warmth and lingering cold spells. Minimum daily temperatures of or below -45.0 degrees Celsius were recorded in Lansdowne House and Armstrong, and maximum temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius were seen in southern Ontario, reaching as high as 17.4 in Vineland. New daily record high temperatures were set in southern Ontario between January 11-13, and again on January 29 and 30.

Peterborough's mean temp. was -4.7 which was 4.2 C warmer than the normal of -8.9. It was the warmest January since January 2012, which also had a mean temp of -4.7 C.

   
Feb. 7, 2013 Today at 2 pm, a mature Bald Eagle flew into a tree on my driveway. We're on a farm just south of Norwood, ON. The bird stayed there for over an hour and I got some good photos. It's the first Bald Eagle I've seen in Ontario Norwood Christine James
Feb. 4, 2013 Since November, we have had two Gray Jays coming to our feeder. They were here again today, and I was able to get pictures of them. We also have a number of Coyotes in the area which have also been photographed. 2167, County Road 507, just south of Mississauga Lake Marie Windover
Jan. 31, 2013

Climate Change in Action

Last night around 10:00 p.m. I took Kerrie the Merry Pup out for a walk, and felt how spongy the ground was in places from the recent melt, and started prowling around with the flashlight to see if there were any worms active. Most of the ground in the background was still frozen, but there at the south side of the house where the ground warms up more quickly and is sheltered, there were 2 dew worms close to the house. They were only out about an inch and 2 inches, but nosing around looking for food until Beastie stuck her big wet nose too close and they retreated quickly back down their holes.

Source: naturelist@googlegroups.com

Glenburnie (in Eastern Ontario) Rose-Marie Burke
Jan. 31, 2013 Just as we arrived home from Peterborough this afternoon, my husband saw a Barred Owl swoop down onto a branch not far from our kitchen. After sitting there for a while, it flew a short way, closer to another bird feeder. It then flew down and then back up to a nearby tree. My husband noticed it had caught something, and when I looked through the binoculars, it was eating a junco whole. After that the birds were quite skittish about going to the feeder. This was certainly the most exciting wildlife spotting we've had for quite a while! Buckhorn Catriona Sinclair
Jan. 31, 2013 Today at around 3 p.m. Dave and I came across a gaggle of Wild Turkeys north of Sharpe Line just west of Winslow Road where the hydro line crosses Sharpe Line. I counted over 180 birds and there may have been more. It is the largest group of wild turkeys I have ever seen. Sharpe Line just west of Winslow Road Sherry and Dave Hambly
Jan. 30, 2013 Last evening (Jan 30th) a lone Spring Peeper called repeatedly (and bravely) from the wetland behind our house near Janetville (south of Lindsay). Janetville, south of LIndsay Meryl McGrath
Jan. 30, 2013 The high today hit a record 12.6 C in Peterborough, snapping the previous Jan. 30 record for Peterborough of 8.5 C set in 1988, according to Environment Canada. Peterborough Environment Canada
Jan. 27, 2013 Today at 2 p.m. I saw a Great Blue Heron flying over Millbrook. Millbrook Ken Rumble
Jan. 27, 2013 I found a large flock of Common Redpolls on Lynch's Rock Road this afternoon that contained at least one Hoary Redpoll. At Petroglyphs PP I found a Barred Owl being mobbed by Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches. I also finally saw one of the Black-backed Woodpeckers that have been sighted ocassionally since last fall. It was a male working on a Red Pine only a few hundred meters from Northey's Bay Road. Lynch's Rock Road & Petroglyphs Provincial Park Brendan Boyd
Jan. 25, 2013 Today, at about 2:00 p.m. there were Pine Siskin 1, Common Redpoll 10 at my feeder. A flock of three Red Crossbills stopped briefly in the cedar trees outside my house and a flock of about 4 Pine Grosbeaks flew over. Also one of the female House Finches coming to my feeder looks very sick, it has a very large left eye that is swollen shut and a lot of greenish mucus coming from it's eye. Benson Ave. Luke Berg
Jan. 25, 2013 I was just outside getting some wood and noticed a fairly large bird across the lake near the open water on Upper Buckhorn Lake. I went inside and got the binoculars and sure enough it was a Bald Eagle feasting on a very large fish. What a majestic looking bird. So glad they are around here on a regular basis. Buckhorn Lake Derry Fairweather
Jan. 25, 2013 I picked up the carcass of an unfortunate Eastern Screech-Owl in Ecology Park today. It was likely killed by a larger owl. Ecology Park, Peterborough Sean Smith
Jan. 23, 2013 Around midnight tonight, checked outside in my backyard near Keene just before turning in for the day and upon looking up at the Moon, what did I see but a beautiful and complete Lunar Halo or ring around the Moon. This one was bright enough that I could see the colours (heavier reds) of a rainbow on the inside of the “ring”, especially at the lower portion of the ring, but most of the colours are diffuse and scattered making the main ring appear whitish. Halos typically have a radius of 22 degrees, caused by refraction of light by randomly oriented hexagonal ice crystals. The added bonus this particular evening was the positioning of Jupiter right at the 4 o’clock position and right in the halo portion. Wow, what a nice coincidence to end the day. It was a little on the chilly side this evening too at -22 C, but it was calm and just the right amount of high thin cirrus cloud laden with random ice crystals to produce this atmospheric phenomenon. Once again proving it pays to be “looking up”, no matter what the time of day or weather outside. Keene Rick Stankiewicz
Jan. 22, 2013 I live in Ennismore and 2 weeks ago for 3 straight days (JAN 21, 22, 23) I witnessed just one Red-winged Blackbird hanging out in my backyard around my bird feeders. I was rather astonished as the arrival of the Red-winged Blackbird is usually a sure sign of spring, but I have never seen one this early before. I was very happy to have witnessed such a sighting! Ennismore Jackie Tokarz
Jan. 22, 2013 I had never seen a Red-bellied Woodpecker at our feeder before today. He feasted on the suet for about 10 minutes. 43 Crestwood Avenue, Peterborough Penny Lewis
Jan. 19, 2013 I saw a beautiful bird on my dogwood tree. First thing I saw was a bright yellow patch on it above the tail feathers, and another smaller patch on the side of the breast. It was sideways on to me. Its feathers were all puffed up, since it was really cold out. It stayed there for more than five minutes, moving only its head. I thought it might be injured, but it did eventually fly. The main colours were grey, getting white towards breast with some streaking. When I got my binoculars I could see that it had a pale brown cap and there were matching pale brown stripes down its back. It had a warbler beak. In my Chris Early book, I identified it as a Yellow-rumped Warbler. Engleburn Place, Peterborough  
Jan. 19, 2013 We've been enjoying a family of Otters that we see from time to time. This year there were five of them who came by fairly often. We've seen them swimming, catching fish, diving off the ice into open patches of water, sliding across the ice. Recently I saw one by our shore. It had a bit of a cave to take off from, and a hole in the ice. I hear it taking great gulps of air after a dive, and then realized that I could actually see it swimming out under the ice, and then returning. I got a photo of it returning to shore without seemingly having caught anything, but with arms by its side as, I gather, is the way they swim. It's not of the highest quality photographically, but I think it's rather a remarkable picture. When I googled "Otters Ice" there were lots of pictures of Otters on ice, and taken under water, but none through the ice, so this may be a special picture nonetheless. Pigeon Lake Patrick Gray
Jan. 19, 2013

I was walking last Saturday (Jan. 12) and took a picture of a Barred Owl, perched in a cedar. I was in the Bridlewood Park / Harper Park area in Peterborough off of Spillsbury Drive.

 

Bridlewood and Harper parks area Rob McKinlay
Jan. 18, 2013

I live in the west end on Kawartha Heights Blvd. Behind our backyard is Kawartha Heights Park.We have our feeders out all the time.We`ve had an abundance of birds this fall: white & red breasted nuthatches, blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, finches, downy woodpeckers, etc. However, since the New Year, the birds have stopped coming. We only get the odd finch & chickadee now. We were away over New Years & we might have had a hawk visit our feeders. Is this why the birds are staying away? Last year late in January we had a robin come & he stayed the winter. We kept a supply of raisons & he was happy. We also have a heated bird bath so he had water. He even took a bath or two in the winter. I hope he comes back.

(You seem to have everything that birds could want: great habitat (given your location, I imagine there is cover in the way of trees, shrubs, etc. for the birds near the feeders), heated birdbath, large park near by, etc. I assume you're offering different foods (i.e., black oil sunflower seed, niger seed, suet) and spreading some seed on the ground (niger and/or millet) for ground feeders like juncos. There's lots of redpolls around now and they love the niger seed. Apart from that, maybe you do indeed have a hawk and/or barred owl in the neighbourhood that are keeping the birds away. There are very few robins around this year (lack of wild food) and cardinals often flock up in the winter and don't visit feeders to the same extent. Other resident species are in typcial numbers, however, from what I'm seeing and hearing. All that being said, a mid-winter lull at the feeder is not uncommon! D.M.)

Kawartha Heights Boulevard Jack Mormul
Jan. 17, 2013 My friend, Sandy Brack and i watched Otters (rather large) diving into the small streams that are forming through the ice at Gannons Narrows today. When they got out, they shook their heads to get rid of the water, then started munching on the fresh fish just caught. Now, I'm waiting for the eagles to finish any leftovers. Fothergill Isle, Pigeon Lake Rose Rogers
Jan. 15, 2013 On Christmas morning, I saw a Pileated Woodpecker on Manning Ave. We have a little family joke going on about these birds. Before my mother died she had arranged her funeral, and got everything else organized and then sent me a letter saying "now I'm ready to die - on no! I haven't ever seen a Pileated Woodpecker." Someone told her they had seen one in the sugar bush at Upper Canada Village (mum lived in Cornwall) so she took her deck chair and a book to read and sat out in the woods hoping to see one. No luck and she never did see one - although I sent her a photo of one I had in my backyard. My younger daughter who lives in Jasper saw one of these birds in her backyard this past year and took a picture and emailed it to me with this message; "If you believe in reincarnation, I think I saw grandma in our backyard!" Now when I see one of these woodpeckers I think about my mother. It was a nice Christmas present. Manning Avenue, Peterborough Fran Cormode
Jan. 15, 2013 Today, I saw roughly 20-25 Common Redpolls and 5 Northern Cardinals 3 males 2 females 3-5 Blue Jays and of course the chicadees come to my feeders today. Bridgenorth Jeff Keller
Jan. 14, 2013 Today, after two days of near 10 C temps. there was a Wooly Bear Caterpillar, Pyrrharctia isabella, commuting in my back yard. (The band indicated there would be a mid-January thaw :-) That same day an Eastern Chipmunk, not seen since mid-November, was very active in same back yard - just north of TASSS. north of TASSS school Sean Smith
Jan. 13, 2013 While out enjoying the mild temps we heard the shrill call of a Belted Kingfisher and then saw him/her flying up and down the wide creek at the edge of our backyard, as they do daily in the summer months. We’ve never observed nor heard one in the winter before. We’re curious what he/she would be eating. The creek is open but I doubt much would be active for it to feed on. Very strange climate we have. Stewart Hall in Otonabee Township Tracey Carr
Jan. 12, 2013 Today, a female Northern Cardinal repeatedly attacked her reflection in the window of my truck. She perched on the passenger side mirror then kept flying at her reflection in the mirror. This is something we’ve had with males in the windows of our shed, but we've never observed a female doing this and neither gender in January. (Note: female cardinals are known to display this behaviour but doing so in January is very rare in my experience. D.M.) Stewart Hall in Otonabee Township Tracey Carr
Jan. 12, 2013 Today, I saw a 2nd year Bald Eagle at the Bensfort Road landfill at about 1 p.m. It was perched in a tree to the west of the dumpsters where residents drop off garbage. Bensfort Road landfill Drew Monkman
Jan. 12, 2013 On our way to our cottage on Lower Buckhorn Lake on Thursday, just before dark, we were driving on the 401 near Progress Road around Scarborough and a Great Blue Heron flew over the 401. We have never seen one fly over the highway before! the 401 near Progress Road around Scarborough Claudio and Rose Mary Rosada
Jan. 11, 2013 Common Redpolls have taken over our feeder. We have never had them before and now there is a virtual swarm of them numbering over a hundred most days. The other birds are virtualy crowded out, except if they can get to the feeders when the redpolls are away. Adeline Street, near Sherbrooke and Monaghan in Peterborough Karen and Paul Parcels
Jan. 11, 2013 We had about about 15 American Robins here this morning feeding on the ground under our Austrian Pines. Tindle Bay Road, near Chemong Lake Dorothy Mulders- Langlois
Jan. 11, 2013 Today, I had a female Red-bellied Woodpecker dining at the feeder. Bailieboro, near Rice Lake Marie Adamcryck
Jan. 7, 2013

Bill Astell passed along several interesting raptor anecdotes today. "Cooper's Hawks are common in my backyard. I have about 30 acres just north of the zoo and it is well populated with wildlife. I have chickens and one year I found a freshly killed one near the coop so I set a catch alive trap expecting to snag a raccoon. I was surprised to find a Cooper's Hawk in the trap. I took him up to Apsley to be released. I know relocating isn't really the best thing to do but I didn't know how to try to solve the problem without killing the hawk which I would never do. I suppose he was back in my yard the next day but now I just expect to lose the odd chicken. I have also changed my breed of chicken to a much larger variety that aren't easy for hawks to take."

"We have Red-tailed Hawks and many other varieties that spin around but the Cooper's is the most fond of chickens. The red-tails show no interest in chickens. They seem most interested in rodents out in the field beside our home. One year I had a juvenile Northern Goshawk go in the hen house after some half grown chicks. I sent him off to a raptor rescue group in the Kingston area. He was a very big and beautiful bird. I had him for a couple of days before the rescue folks picked him up. He became calm and even rather tame considering he was wild caught."

"The weirdest bird encounter I've had was one night the chickens were squawking so I went out to check it out. My Jack Russelle terrier, who was usually quite fearless and loves a good raccoon chase, seemed spooked. A chicken flew over my head and seconds later my hat pulled right off my head. It was from the updraft as a Great Horned Owl that had swooped over me after the hen! That hen got lucky and got away. Sadly, I hear a few chickens every year squawking in the distance as they disappear into the night. I've even had Snowy Owls take my chickens."

"This past spring I rescued a baby American Crow that was the sole survivor after a Cooper's Hawk found the crows' nest behind our home. That seems to happen quite frequently. We've seen the leftovers on other occasions. We raised the crow and after 6 months she has now hooked up with a friend and has fully integrated back into the local crow family. That was a real education on the intelligence of crows. Everything we did she would try including trying to start my tractor. When she couldn't start it she stole the key. Apparently re-integration is not usually successful for many reasons. We were so happy that she had re-integrated as she had become a real character and part of the family but captivity or caging was never an option."

Baltic Drive Bill Astell
Jan. 7, 2013 We have had a Northern Flicker coming to our feeder for weeks. It comes to the peanut feeder and also tries to eat sunflower seeds from the wooden feeders, but seems to scatter more than eat. I haven't seen it on the suet. Young's Point / Selwyn area Penny Pierce
Jan. 6. 2013 A locally rare Northern Mockingbird was seen feeding on wild grape today on Edgewater Blvd across from the Holiday Inn. Edgewater Blvd on Little Lake Linda Sunderland
Jan. 6, 2013 Several Pine Grosbeaks were singing their gentle, whistled song this morning along Maple Crescent. One bird came in quite close in response to my playing a recording of the song. Maple Crescent, Peterborough Drew Monkman
Jan. 4, 2013 This morning I heard a thump on the window and rushed out to find a hawk barely conscious in the snow. I picked it up and put it in a box to see if it would survive. By this afternoon I had identified it as a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk and it was active and ready to get back to the bird feeder. My wife, Shari, took photos of the bird. We also took a short video of me letting it go. Baltic Drive, Peterborough Bill Astell
Jan. 2, 2013 At about 1:30 today (Wednesday), there were three adult Glaucous Gulls and one 1st or 2nd year Glaucous, as well as a single adult Lesser Black-backed Gull along with lots of Herring Gulls on the ice across from the cemetary at Little Lake. They were best viewed from Edgewater Blvd on the north side of the lake. Little Lake Scott McKinlay
Jan. 1, 2013 While skiing at Kawartha Golf and Country Club yesterday, I witnessed a city wildlife drama. A hawk (cannot identify) landed on a squirrel nest high in a tree. I could then see a black squirrel flipping and flopping around in the nest. Then, the hawk emerged with the squirrel in its talons and flew, only to be sighted shortly thereafter without the squirrel and pursued loudly by several crows. Not sure what the crows had to do with any of it. Kawartha Golf and Country Club Arthur Herold
Jan. 1, 2013 I had a pair of Red-tailed Hawks in my yard this afternoon. Rogers St., Peterborough Ivan Bateman
Jan. 1, 2013 I just had 12 Bohemian Waxwings feeding in the crab apple tree. I have also had 6 American Tree Sparrows for the last few days. Tudor Cres. Peterborough Sue Paradisis