Some local road trips for the geographically-curious Peterborough Examiner – December 8, 2023 – by Drew Monkman My recent articles on the geology and landforms of the Kawarthas (Nov. 10) and on the formation of our rivers and lakes (Nov. 25) both garnered a large response. This has inspired me to propose several Read more…
This River Otter (female, I think) sat on the ice in front of our place yesterday afternoon (December 2) and this morning. She ate almost constantly and moved around from hole to hole. The first picture isn’t very clear but I included it because of what she was eating. I’m Read more…
70 or more species can be seen locally during the winter months Peterborough Examiner – December 1, 2023 – by Drew Monkman With winter almost upon us, we sometimes need a little extra motivation to bundle up and head outside. Looking for birds can provide both purpose and interest to any outing. Yes, Read more…
Ancient rivers, ice sheets and then locks and dams were the key players. Peterborough Examiner – November 25, 2023 – by Drew Monkman It’s hard to over-emphasize how fortunate we are in the Peterborough area to have such a wonderful chain of clean, beautiful lakes right on our doorstep. It’s easy to take Read more…
The geology and landforms of the Kawarthas tell an amazing story. Peterborough Examiner – November 10, 2023 – by Drew Monkman If there’s a metaphor that best describes the location of Peterborough County, it’s “sitting on the edge.” On a map, the edge is simply an irregular line running across the middle of Read more…
It finally happened. We had 36 baby Snapping Turtles, emerging over 5 days plus 8 eggs that didn’t hatch. On October 8, 12 hatched, the next day one hatched, on October 10, 20 emerged, the next day 3 more and finally on October 12, just 2 more. The last five Read more…
The Kawarthas is home to over 500 lichen species. Fall is a great time to get to know them. Peterborough Examiner – November 3, 2023 – by Drew Monkman Of all the common organisms of the Kawarthas, lichens are perhaps the most overlooked. Although they’re small, when you pay attention you’ll see them Read more…
All eight winter finch species could turn up in the Kawarthas this fall and winter Peterborough Examiner – October 27, 2023 – by Drew Monkman It’s hard not to love winter finches. Their mysterious, nomadic nature and colourful plumage makes them a favourite of bird lovers everywhere. And, you never really know with Read more…
Ashes once provided a huge part of our fall colour Peterborough Examiner – October 13, 2023 – by Drew Monkman We’ve seen some nice autumn foliage in many parts of the Kawarthas this fall, especially in areas where maples dominate. However, the annual leaf spectacle is not as eye-popping as it used to Read more…
Peterborough County has one of the largest and most active birding communities in all of Ontario Peterborough Examiner – October 6, 2023 – by Drew Monkman It’s a well-known fact that Peterborough is very much a hockey town. This reputation is well-deserved. What might come as a surprise, however, is that Peterborough also Read more…
Despite a summer of climate chaos, Pierre Poilievre is soaring in the polls without even having a climate plan Peterborough Examiner – September 22, 2023 – by Drew Monkman I recall writing an article in the 1990s about what it would take for people to really take the necessary action to protect Read more…
An overview of invasive species present and future in the Kawarthas Peterborough Examiner – September 15, 2023 – by Drew Monkman In addition to the epic wildfires and floods that climate change has helped deliver this summer, another environmental crisis continues to unfold: the huge impact of invasive species. These are animals, plants, Read more…
Fall is the perfect time to reconnect with nature. Peterborough Examiner – September 8, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As I do at the beginning of each season, I want to look ahead this week to the many events in nature that are typical of fall in the Kawarthas. A big part of Read more…
I saw this spider on one of our shrubs in the flower garden. I’ve never seen one like this before and wondered if you had? Wayne Stovell, Cavan Note: The spider in question is a Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). It’s a fairly common spider of late summer. It makes Read more…
We’re wondering what has happened to the pair of Baltimore orioles and hummingbirds that we were providing food for and have suddenly disappeared. Both bird species arrived at our home on the lake in Bridgenorth on or about May 15 as usual. Since then we have kept sugar water in Read more…
Take time to learn and appreciate the songs our backyard insect musicians Peterborough Examiner – August 4, 2023 – by Drew Monkman From mid-summer until the first frosts, wetlands, fields and even suburban backyards hum with the calls of insects. Most of the time, however, we relegate these familiar sounds to the status Read more…
Dragonflies and damselflies are some of our most beautiful and intriguing insects Peterborough Examiner – July 14, 2023 – by Drew Monkman Working in the garden one evening this week, I was spending as much time swatting mosquitoes as tending to the plants. I then noticed several dragonflies darting back and forth above Read more…
Peterborough author Sean Kane’s madcap animal story highlights a host of contemporary themes Peterborough Examiner – July 7, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As a child, I loved books that highlighted the intelligence and emotions of animals. My favourite was the 1963 book “Rascal”, by Sterling North. It’s the story of a year Read more…
I took a photo of this spider tonight, June 27, before bed. It’s bigger than a toonie for sure and the biggest spider since my cottage days and dock spiders. Any thoughts? Wayne Stovell, Cavan Note: I believe it’s a species of fishing spider (Dolomedes). D.M. My neighbour who lives Read more…
The Kawarthas is home to close to 100 species of butterflies. Peterborough Examiner – June 30, 2023 – by Drew Monkman My special affection for butterflies began as a classroom teacher. Each September, I would collect monarch caterpillars for my students to raise. They would watch and document each stage of metamorphosis with Read more…
Lots to look forward to in the coming weeks Peterborough Examiner – June 23, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As I do at the beginning of each new season, I’d like to look ahead at some of the events in nature that we can expect over the coming months.To enjoy some of these Read more…
Big change begins with small talk Peterborough Examiner – June 16, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As a dystopian orange sun rose over the Kawarthas last week and Peterborough recorded the second worst air quality in all of North America, one thing became abundantly clear: the impact of climate change has descended upon Read more…
On May 28, I also saw this Eastern Milksnake on the west day use trail at Petroglyphs Provincial Park. It was in the section just before the small bridge that spans the creek between the marshes. I had never seen one of these snakes before, and it was a very Read more…
Male cones are now releasing copious amounts of pollen. Peterborough Examiner – June 2, 2023 – by Drew Monkman In recent days, you may have noticed a mysterious dust that has descended upon your car windshield or outdoor furniture, turning surfaces a lemon colour and making puddles appear like some strange, yellow alga Read more…
They may be annoying, but they’re a crucial part of the natural world. Peterborough Examiner – May 19, 2023 – by Drew Monkman Every year when mid-May rolls around, the relative number of mosquitoes becomes a popular topic of conversation – and one not always appropriate for tender ears. If my recent yardwork Read more…
Fifteen birding hotspots in Peterborough and the Kawarthas (and two great apps!) Peterborough Examiner – May 12, 2023 – by Drew Monkman With mid-May comes peak songbird migration as multitudes of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers, orioles and more arrive from Latin America. Some of these birds will stay to nest in our area Read more…
The biggest part of seeing is knowing what to expect. Peterborough Examiner – May 5, 2023 – by Drew Monkman “The world’s favorite season is spring. All things seem possible in May.”– Edwin Way Teale Although it seems foolish to talk of a favourite month, for anyone who takes pleasure in watching the seasons Read more…
On April 30th, looking out the main floor windows, Peter spied a large bird flapping its wings far up into our huge White Pine which is about 120 feet from the river and a similar distance from the house. If it hadn’t flapped its wings we would never have known Read more…
Nesting season is a reminder to keep cats indoors Peterborough Examiner – April 28, 2023 – by Drew Monkman It’s hard not to have a special fondness for robins. Unlike most other birds, they treat us to intimate views of their family lives and provide a rewarding connection to backyard nature. A pair Read more…
Earth Day is a time to appreciate all that’s happening locally. Peterborough Examiner – April 21, 2023 – by Drew Monkman When I think back to my childhood, so much of what I recall were moments spent outside: the joy of catching frogs and turtles; the excitement of evening grosbeaks coming to the Read more…