Today, January 31, I saw 10 Trumpeter Swans off of the beach in Lakefield. Three were immatures. Guy Hanchet, Lakefield A female Northern Flicker was at our suet feeder twice this morning, Jan 22. Jim Cashmore, Claudette Court, Peterborough Just like every year for the past 15 years, the Mallard Read more…
Local Christmas counts provide a glimpse at the ups and downs of bird populations Peterborough Examiner – January 13, 2023 – by Drew Monkman How quickly winter bird numbers can change. Just a year ago, the forests, fields, and feeders of the Kawarthas were attracting large numbers of redpolls, crossbills, siskins, and goldfinches, Read more…
Looking ahead to what nature has in store this winter Peterborough Examiner – January 6, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As global heating continues, it comes as no surprise that 2022 was a warmer-than-average year for Peterborough. In fact, nine of the past 12 months registered a mean temperature higher than the 1971-2000 Read more…
Readers saw everything from cobra-like hog-nosed snakes to the elusive fisher Peterborough Examiner – December 23, 2022 – by Drew Monkman I would like to thank the many people who have shared some of their nature sightings, anecdotes, and photographs with me over the past year. This week I’m offering a sampling of Read more…
I’d like to share a wonderful experience I had with bird visitors to my backyard on December 17. Sitting in my living room which faces south, I was aware of a lot of activity in the trees. I went to the windows and was treated to the sight of dozens Read more…
Envisioning what nature protection could look like in 20 years Peterborough Examiner – December 16, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Imagination is critical to sustainable and just futures for life on Earth. Imagining a species-rich future that also meets society’s needs engages with emotions that motivate action. As the COP 15 UN Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – November 25, 2022 – by Drew Monkman This has been a particularly depressing fall for all of us who value nature and a healthy climate. As just two examples, the recent State of the Birds 2022 report has once again sounded the alarm about steep bird population losses in virtually Read more…
I came across this native Beetberry plant (Blitum capitatum) on November 14 while hiking in the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve on Stoney Lake. Bet Curry On November 8, I saw 16 Sandhill Cranes fly over Oakwood, ON. Gavin Hunter On November 9, we had a visit at our feeder from a Read more…
Trent’s TARP project engaged in long-term study of freshwater ecosystems Peterborough Examiner – November 18, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Everyone loves a good fish story. However, we learn to take them with a grain of salt. Well, there’s a fish story of a different kind happening right now on Stoney Lake and Read more…
Many discovered this pastime while stuck at home during pandemic lockdowns Peterborough Examiner – November 4, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Although the store owners themselves might feel a little sheepish saying so, the global Covid-19 pandemic provided a huge boost to the sale of bird seed and bird feeding accessories. This was Read more…
I was excited to see a flock of Evening Grosbeaks at our feeders this morning, October 29, in Selwyn. They didn’t visit here at all last winter and they’ve been here a couple of times in the last week. I hope they make return visits. I caught a few images of Read more…
Stock up your feeders because winter finches are coming Peterborough Examiner – October 21, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Like every fall, I’ve been busy meeting the food demands of the many birds descending upon our yard and feeders. October is an especially busy month as southbound migrants pass through, stopping for a Read more…
Peterborough’s new official bird offers much to teach us Peterborough Examiner – October 7, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Standing motionless in Jackson Creek or cruising slowly over the Otonabee River with its silent, deep wingbeats, there a few sights in nature more majestic than a great blue heron. Add the beauty of Read more…
While walking in Burnham Woods this morning, September 3, I came across this striking fungus called Blushing Rosette, abortiporus biennia. The sun was hitting it and the “guttation” drops sparkled like rubies. Sue Paradisis We thought you might like this picture of a cute, baby Eastern Hog-nosed Snake that we Read more…
Knowing the common asters adds enjoyment to a fall walk Peterborough Examiner – September 23, 2022 – by Drew Monkman I often walk the Trans Canada Trail from the bottom of Wallis Drive up past Lily Lake to Ackison Dr. I love paying attention to what’s in bloom, what leaves are changing colour, Read more…
Personal testimonies of the emotional impact of May’s derecho windstorm Peterborough Examiner – September 16, 2022 – by Drew Monkman We rarely hear about the ecological grief (sometimes called “solastalgia”) caused by the climate crisis. Many people are still reeling from the impact of May’s derecho windstorm and the loss of beautiful old Read more…
Make a habit of asking why species look and behave the way they do As much as we delight in nature’s beauty, there’s an equally wondrous dimension to every species that usually goes unappreciated: the evolution story behind what we’re looking at. From an organism’s appearance to the way Read more…
Autumn is a wonderful season to spend more time in nature If you’re anything like me, you probably welcome the arrival of fall. It’s a season that represents a fresh start, perhaps from long-held associations of going back to school. It makes us feel more motivated and in many Read more…
I discovered this account about foxes with mange in the Beeton/Innisfil area of Ontario. It was written by someone who works at an animal rehab center called Procyon Wildlife. The centre has seen many cases of mange in foxes in 2021. I have provided the link below for your information.https://www.procyonwildlife.com/2022/01/24/incredible-lives-of-foxes/ Read more…
Seeing a nesting leatherback turtle a once in a life-time experience Peterborough Examiner – August 19, 2022 – by Drew Monkman On March 30, I got a call from my friend Jason Westlake that leatherback turtles had been coming ashore to nest at Playa Gandoca on Costa Rica’s border with Panama. He asked Read more…
Costa Rica is not just about dazzling nature; it’s also about great people Peterborough Examiner – August 12, 2022 – by Drew Monkman My morning Costa Rican routine is always the same: get up at dawn, hop on my bike, and head out to enjoy the peak hours of bird activity. Invariably, an Read more…
Southern Caribbean region offers up non-stop nature delights Peterborough Examiner – August 5, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Deciding to return to Costa Rica this past winter was not difficult. A big part of my attachment to this country comes down to the way it elevates all the senses. Your eyes are treated Read more…
Local butterfly count tallies 53 species but number of individuals is low Peterborough Examiner – July 30, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Viceroy, pearly-eye, white admiral, hobomok, and American lady. No, this is not a list of famous race horses but rather the names of five of the 105 species of butterflies that Read more…
A tale to share with children of how the Universe and all living things came to be Peterborough Examiner – July 15, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Every culture has its own origin story. They are often elaborate narratives that help explain the mysteries of our existence. “Big History”, however, is an origin Read more…
It preserves critical migratory bird habitat and supports farmers Peterborough Examiner – July 6, 2022 – by Drew Monkman When you enjoy your morning coffee, what comes to mind? Maybe the aroma, taste, warmth, and the pep-up it gives? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could also feel satisfaction that your choice Read more…
I see a Jinny Clark in 2014 commented about squirrels licking her rocks but they took them.As far as I know my squirrel(s) are not taking the rocks but they move them all over the patio and yard. The white decorative rocks are located right outside a large 3 window Read more…
End of spongy moth invasion in sight but global heating continues unabated Peterborough Examiner – July 2, 2022 – by Drew Monkman From land protection initiatives to a wonderful new book, there’s lots of good things happening on the local conservation front. The end of the spongy moth invasion might even be in Read more…
City well on the way to becoming a safer place for wild birds Peterborough Examiner – June 10, 2022 – by Drew Monkman I can trace my life-long fascination with birds to having grown up in a Peterborough neighbourhood with easy access to natural areas like Jackson Creek. Bird-rich greenspace was only a Read more…
I thought I’d share that I saw a number of Yellow Lady’s Slipper orchids just north of the London Street bridge on the east bank, close to “the island”. The photos are from June 1. Sylvia Dee On my walk last night, June 10, I came across a Jack-in-the-pulpit and Read more…