Sightings
Fall-blooming Witch Hazel is now in flower!
The American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is in full bloom now (Oct. 25) at my home in Ennismore. Foliage has turned yellow but has not dropped. Bill Snowden
Sightings
Peregrine reports from downtown Peterborough
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (1) – Reported Oct 27, 2016 13:40 by Chris Risley – Downtown, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.3033988,-78.3186717&ll=44.3033988,-78.3186717 – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32255249 – Comments: “large raptor, sideburns visible; perched on provincial logo on west side of provincial government building at 300 Water St.” Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (1) Read more…
Columns
Nomads from the North: Each winter brings a different mix of birds to backyard feeders
Once again this fall, I’ve been kept busy meeting the food demands of the hordes of birds that have descended upon my yard and feeders. At least two dozen white-throated sparrows have been gorging themselves on the millet finch mix I scatter on the ground. These small seeds have also Read more…
Columns
The Wonder of Leaves: There is much more to appreciate in leaves than just colour change
In October, our attention is drawn to leaves like at no other time of year. They never cease to astound us with their blazing colours and wonderful, spicy smell as we rake them into piles. For the rest of the year, however, we mostly take leaves for granted. They just Read more…
Sightings
Eastern Towhee makes an appearance in Peterborough
I had a female Eastern Towhee rustling around in the leaves this morning in my backyard. That brings the total number of bird species I have seen in my yard to 60! Sue Paradisis, Tudor Crescent
Sightings
North winds blow in a flurry of juncos
Just to let you know, I’ve seen our first Dark-eyed Junco today (October 9), and yesterday, our first Purple Finch. And the sunflower seeds are being devoured at an alarming rate by the Black-capped Chickadees, and both the Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches. The seasons are a-changing. Stephenie Armstrong, Warsaw Note: Read more…
Sightings
The intelligence of gulls
I am looking for your opinion on some bird behaviour in our yard that we are finding quite amusing. We have a large flock of ducks that we feed on our shoreline in the hopes of giving them a safe haven away from the hunters !! There are about 50 ducks Read more…
Columns
Discovering the new public trails of the Kawartha Land Trust
Walking through the woods and fields of the Kawarthas in early October when the landscape is ablaze with colour is a fall tradition for many local residents. Not only do you feel closer to friends and family, but there is an indelible “sense of place” and connection to the land. Read more…
Sightings
Eastern Milksnake at Gannons Narrows
I came across this little Eastern Milksnake on a dirt road at Gannons Narrows on Pigeon Lake at about 1:30 pm October 2. It is only 6-7 inches long and was stretched out. The dog walked over it and I thought it was dead, but when I bent down to Read more…
Sightings
Crow roost on Towerhill Road
For many years the city American Crows roosted near the Kawartha Golf and Country Club grounds. Recently I noticed a lot of crow calling (before the sun is up) coming from the north of my location at Fairbairn and Raymond Streets. This morning I stepped out my front door at Read more…
Sightings
Increasingly rare Rusty Blackbirds at Lily Lake
I came across this flock of Rusty Blackbirds at about 4 PM on October 4 on the Trans Canada Trail (Jackson Creek section). They were flying around the marsh west of Lily Lake in a flock of about twenty similarly-sized birds. On October 7, the Rusty Blackbirds seemed to be Read more…
Sightings
Early fall sees American Pipits moving south through the Kawarthas
On October 7, I was traveling just North of #7 Hwy at the 12th line of Dummer An American Pipit was viewed for over 5 minutes as the bird walked the edges of the roadway. Its white flanked tail, white throat and buff breast with very faint striking wereclearly visible. It Read more…
Sightings
White-throated Sparrows in large numbers
We’re enjoying large numbers of White-throated Sparrows in our yard right now. Probably two dozen at least. They are eating the millet I scatter around the base of the feeder and nearby shrubs. The odd White-throat occasionally breaks into a weaker version of its spring “Oh sweet Canada…Canada…Canada” song. Any Read more…