Date: Sunday, 12 Nov 2017 11:47:24 -0500 From: Ron Tozer rtozer@vianet.ca To: ontbirds birdalert@ontbirds.ca Subject: [Ontbirds] Algonquin Park Birding Report: early November Click here to visit up-to-date Ontbirds Archive As of today, November 12, there is a heavy covering of snow on the ground and a few shallow ponds and Read more…
Late fall is a great time to get to know these enigmatic structures I’ve always loved November. Maybe it’s the change of pace and the sense of nature slowing down. Yet, we do notice changes. As deciduous trees shed their leaves, our eyes are drawn to the conifers like at Read more…
Red-shouldered Hawk (lineatus Group) (Buteo lineatus [lineatus Group]) (1) – Reported Nov 04, 2017 10:32 by Luke Berg – Luke’s Yard, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40302920 – Comments: “Adult at 1453h. ” Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (1) – Reported Nov 02, 2017 09:20 by Iain Rayner – PTBO Read more…
Much remains to be explained about these familiar birds When a species is as common as the blue jay, we tend to take it for granted. We are often dulled into thinking that there’s little new to be discovered about its behaviour. Well, think again. From their aggressive mobbing behaviour Read more…
October 28 – For the second time this week, a Cooper’s Hawk was in my yard today. I knew it was around because a couple of dozen Mourning Doves flew out of the spruce tree they roost in. Sue Paradisis Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (2) – Reported Oct Read more…
Just had to share this with someone who would appreciate it! I live in Peterborough at 29 Weller Crescent. Today, October 22, at around 11:00 am, a Pileated Woodpecker landed on the chain link fence and ate the berries from the Virginia Creeper. I was able to watch him for Read more…
Oct. 21 – Narrow-winged Tree Cricket – Rob Tonus found this very late tree cricket on the grass beside the Rotary-Greenway Trail, just south of Nichol’s Oval Park. Note the reddish cap. This species sings at only at night, producing a mellow trill of variable length (usually 2-10 seconds). It Read more…
Bird numbers and diversity at feeders at feeders depends on wild seed abundance If you’ve been paying attention to coniferous trees this fall, you’ve probably noticed the abundance of cones on many species. Cedars and spruce, for example, have produced an especially heavy crop. The quantity of seed on sugar Read more…
11 October 2017 – Project FeederWatch celebrated its 30th anniversary last winter, thanks to dedicated participants who observe birds at their feeders. The information collected through this project over three decades allows scientists to measure important changes in North America’s winter bird populations over time. All are invited to join Read more…
Everything from climate change to invasive species are threatening our lakes, rivers and fish populations Slowly but steadily, the lakes and rivers of the Kawarthas are changing. The abundance and variety of fish populations are undergoing a transformation that could make them unrecognizable in a few short decades. This week, Read more…
October 10: I had my first two Dark-eyed Juncos today. Sue Paradisis, Peterborough October 9: Today there was a Peregrine at the Buckhorn Lock. I was travelling south when it flew over the bridge at handrail height and landed in a tree about ten feet away from the east (lower Read more…
Happy to report that between October 5th to 7th we were able to deliver twenty-three Snapping Turtle hatchlings to shallow muddy areas on our stretch of the Indian River. But the event was puzzling in a couple of ways. Back on July 1st we witnessed an adult Snapping Turtle in Read more…
Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni) (1) – Reported Oct 05, 2017 16:55 by Scott Gibson – Fairbairn marsh, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “continuing; hoping to get some pics today but much skulkier than on Monday; only catching few quick glimpses.” Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni) (1) – Reported Read more…
Threats loom but fish populations in the Kawarthas are still doing well One of my most formative nature experiences as a boy was fishing with my grandfather at the family cottage on Clear Lake. The excitement of hooking into a large bass or walleye was unforgettable. Even at that time, Read more…
I live in Northumberland County – Baltimore to be exact, 10 km north of Cobourg near the Balls Mills conservation area. We are surrounded by forest. Our own property is 3 acres of forest that backs on to Baltimore creek. Beyond that is a mix of forest, marsh and farm land. Read more…
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) (1) – Reported Sep 29, 2017 07:56 by Iain Rayner – Peterborough–Fairbairn Street wetland, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) (8) – Reported Sep 29, 2017 07:38 by Donald A. Sutherland – Peterborough–Trent Rotary Rail Trail, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist:
White-throated Sparrows have arrived at my feeders in Peterborough. Sue Paradisis
I was walking in Burnham Woods on the evening of September 1 and came across these strange creatures all over a young beech sapling. I could see them all rocking back and forth. Strangest sight. Sue Paradisis Note: After a bit of research, I discovered they are a kind of Read more…
Over the past ten years, we’ve seen a marked decline in the number of Red Squirrels and a steady increase in the number of Gray Squirrels on our property. This year that imbalance may change. For the first time that we are aware, we have had two broods of Red Read more…
On September 7, a Black Swallowtail caterpillar, was making its way up our gravelled drive. I moved it to a safer location. On September 9 and 10, we had another new caterpillar in our front garden. It is a fifth instar larval stage of the Hermit Sphinx moth (lintneria eremitus). Read more…
I was out walking on our land in Omemee on September 16 and came across several clusters of large Shaggy Mane mushrooms. I think they are beautiful! Ruthanne Sobiera
Meredith Carter and our planting crew found this yellowish caterpillar in Lakefield this Saturday during the TD Tree Planting event. I found a similar looking caterpillar – but more light green and pink – in late August up north in Dorset. Any idea what they are? Erin McGauley Note: I’m Read more…
Last February, I photographed this Barred Owl, which was perched on my phone cable – 20′ from the front of the house, in Selwyn Township, just south of Lakefield. About 30′ to each side of him/her were my 2 bird feeders – and not a small bird in sight! It Read more…
Over the last two weeks, we tagged and released all of the Monarchs we raised in the classroom. I’m also sending along two photos I took of a Giant Swallowtail at Elmhirst Resort on Rice Lake this past weekend. Stephanie Benn
Now’s the time to take in the beauty of autumn at Ontario Parks! The 2017 Ontario Parks Fall Colour Report is LIVE! Check for the latest colour changes in up to 60 provincial parks across Ontario by using the report’s map and peak-viewing chart. Staff will be updating their park Read more…
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) (1) – Reported Sep 22, 2017 08:09 by McLean Smith – 2 Woodland Dr, Peterborough CA-ON (44.3634,-78.2926), Peterborough, Ontario – Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.363432,-78.292649&ll=44.363432,-78.292649 – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39331356 – Comments: “I am not 100% certain as to the ID of this bird, but based on size, shape, and colouration, Read more…
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) (1) – Reported Sep 22, 2017 10:30 by Scott McKinlay – Millbrook Conservation Area, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.1492506,-78.4480704&ll=44.1492506,-78.4480704 – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39345272 – Comments: “Seen with a solitary sandpiper on a mud bar in Millbrook pond. It was slightly smaller than the solitary with browner, lighter Read more…
Myriad threats and declines evident in the Kawarthas, too Living in a country as big and relatively unpopulated as Canada, it might come as a surprise that much of our wildlife is in serious decline. This was made abundantly clear last week when World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) released its Read more…
Ross’s Goose (Anser rossii) (1) – Reported Sep 20, 2017 12:00 by Matthew Garvin – PTBO – Edgewater road and Railway, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.299988,-78.31236&ll=44.299988,-78.31236 – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39300375 – Media: 6 Photos – Comments: “Diminutive white goose similar in size to adjacent RBGU with flock of CANG North of Read more…
A beautiful September morning greeted the ten early risers who took part in the Peterborough Field Naturalist’s Sunday A.M. nature walk today. We spent most of our time in the Promise Rock area of the Rotary-Greenway Trail, just north of Trent University at Lock 22. Songbird diversity and numbers were Read more…