Sightings
Sandhill Cranes in Omemee
I observed twice this week a pair of Sandhill Cranes flying to and from the Omemee pond (enlargement in Pigeon River on south edge of Omemee). One time they were also calling from the pond. Gavin Hunter, Omemee
Sightings
Snapping Turtle eggs are hatching
This past weekend, I observed the hatch of 8-10 Snapping Turtles on Rathbun Bay, Jack Lake. There is a very small sand beach between my neighbours cottages and the young turtles (1-1.5 inches in size) were all in the shallow water adjacent to the beach. No nesting activity had been Read more…
Sightings
Uncommon Red-necked Phalarope at Lakefield lagoons
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) (1) – Reported Sep 02, 2016 09:44 by Donald Sutherland – Lakefield–Sewage Lagoons, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 1 Photo – Comments: “juvenile, central aeration booms of S cell, actively feeding”
Sightings
Merlins and two clutches of orioles on Otonabee R. property
I live on the Otonabee River between locks 24 & 25, and saw a pair of what I believe were Merlins flying over our yard Wednesday evening, August 24. Both of them had the shape of small falcons. I got a good look only at the brownish one when it Read more…
Sightings
Turtle Observations from the Jack Lake Watershed (2014-2016)
Ontario is home to eight different species of turtle. Seven turtle species have been designated as Species at Risk. Three species of turtle (in bold) are found in the Jack Lake watershed. Status of Ontario turtles Blandings Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) Threatened Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) Extirpated Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys Read more…
Sightings
Great shorebird-watching at Otonabee Gravel Pit Conservation Area – 6 species
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) (3) – Reported Aug 28, 2016 13:41 by Bill Crins – Otonabee Gravel Pit Conservation Area, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: Bill also saw Pectoral and Spotted Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Killdeer. There was a Green Heron present, as well.
Sightings
11 Great Egrets at Briar Hill Bird Sanctuary, south of Peterborough
Great Egret (American) (Ardea alba egretta) (11) – Reported Aug 27, 2016 16:35 by Matthew Tobey – Briar Hill Bird Sanctuary, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 1 Photo – Comments: “At least 11 birds present. Could have been more but it was very hard to see over Read more…
Sightings
Bump in Monarch numbers, tagging demonstration at Presqu’ile Provincial Park
I had two Monarchs in our garden on August 26. They were attracted to our Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) and Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia). I’ve also seen several north of Peterborough in recent days. A number of reports of Monarch caterpillars around Warsaw were reported to me, too. Don Davis will once Read more…
Sightings
Of bats, American Chestnuts and other species of interest
I have some news that I think is important. On Friday night (August 19) we were driving home from some friends’ place over at the 5th line of Selwyn near the Lakefield Highway, and coming back we saw at least ten bats flying above the road over the km or Read more…
Sightings
Finally – Local Monarch numbers may be increasing
Finally some Monarchs (3) have been noted on the property and there are three larvae on the Swamp Milkweed. Some eggs are also noted. Bill Snowden, Ennismore More Monarchs have been seen in recent days, and even some migration in the Toronto area. In one large flowered garden in east Read more…
Sightings
North American Monarch status as of July 7, 2016 – by Chip Taylor of MonarchWatch
The MonarchWatch blog can be viewed here. http://monarchwatch.org/blog/ As most of you know, the summer of 2015 produced a strong migration and a relatively large overwintering population (4.01 hectares). To place this population growth in context, let’s review the last several years. The population declined following each of the three Read more…
Sightings
Rare Red-headed Woodpecker at Curve Lake First Nation
Today (August 18) at 3:30 pm was the first time I’ve ever seen a Red-headed Woodpecker. It was at 67 Mukwa Bay Road in Curve Lake. No camera but at 50 feet away, it was unmistakable. The sighting was about 200m from a Red-shouldered Hawk nest. Pretty cool old forest Read more…
Sightings
Big showing of (migrating?) Common Nighthawks, a species at risk
Tonight, August 15, we had a spectacular aerial show with Common Nighthawks, Tree Swallows and gulls. The nighthawks were swarming over our Curve Lake house. I would estimate 50 but it was difficult to count because of the irregularity of their flight. There were also about twenty gulls and 100 Read more…
Sightings
Two Monarchs seen south of Peterborough
I just wanted to let you know that I saw 2 Monarchs yesterday at Kawartha Trails Resort, just south of Peterborough. They were visiting the milkweed along the edge of the Otonabee River. Catherine Paradisis Note: I have seen no Monarchs in Peterborough County since mid-June when I saw just Read more…
Sightings
The beautiful caterpillar of the Black Swallowtail
We have a Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar on our dill growing in the garden right now. Trudy Gibson, Peterborough
Sightings
“Fall” shorebird migration continues
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) (5) – Reported Aug 07, 2016 07:21 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Otonabee Gravel Pit, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 1 Photo – Comments: “Think the Juveniles have started to show up.” Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1) – Reported Aug 07, 2016 Read more…
Sightings
The pugnacious Eastern Kingbird
We regularly see the occasional Eastern Kingbird on our stretch of the Indian River over the summer months, but today (7th August) we were treated to a longer than usual visit of a family, made up of two adults and two offspring. They stayed around for a good part of Read more…
Sightings
Big Barn Swallow post-breeding flock on Crowley Line
We have Barn Swallow colony of more than 50 birds at our farm at 1276 Crowley Line, just south of Peterborough. Robert Greenman Hood Note: This is a very significant number of birds. Barn Swallows are now a Species at Risk in Ontario. D.M.
Sightings
Giant Swallowtail sightings continue
I finally saw my first Giant Swallowtail of 2016 on July 26th, just north of Norwood. Good to see others have been seeing them as well. I was beginning to think that they were vanishing about as suddenly as they first appeared in the Kawarthas, back in 2011 or thereabouts. Read more…
Sightings
Giant Swallowtail & Mink family at Lakehurst, near Buckhorn
I read the sightings of Giant Swallowtails in the area…then yesterday, in the marsh at camp, I too spotted a Giant Swallowtail! First time for me as well. Exciting! Last week at camp a family of American Mink hid under my boat. There was one adult and seven pups! They Read more…
Sightings
The beautiful Tomato Hornworm (Five-spotted Hawkmoth)
I was doing maintenance in the vegetable garden today and found three very large and healthy Tomato Hornworms which will soon pupate and become a Five-spotted Hawkmoth. I placed them on some tomato seedlings that came up in the compost pile as the larvae have a sweet tooth for the Read more…
Sightings
Giant Swallowtail at Curve Lake
I got a picture of this Giant Swallowtail butterfly today (August 1, 2016)), a species I had never seen before. So again, something unusual has popped up at Curve Lake! I did some reading and these butterflies are moving northward. Reports thus far say that they are now found at Read more…
Sightings
First Giant Swallowtails of the summer
I saw my first Giant Swallowtail of the year in the garden today, hovering around the phlox. I checked the dill plantation but there were no larvae. No Monarchs have been seen. Bill Snowden, Ennismore Note: I saw my first Giant Swallowtail today, too, just east of Havelock. Giant Swallowtails Read more…
Sightings
Late July sightings of interest at Big Gull Lake
Here are some sightings of interest from this past week (July 25 – 31, 2016)) at my brother’s cottage on Big Gull Lake, south of Bon Echo Provincial Park. Family group of Cooper’s Hawks. Two or three very vocal juveniles, “whistling” loudly. As big as adults. A covey of 8 Read more…
Sightings
Hummingbird Clearwing Moths in Lakefield
The Hummingbird Clearwing Moths are back, coming to our phlox flowers the past couple of days. Gwen Forsyth, Lakefield, ON
Sightings
Wild (feral) Honey Bee nest in cedar
I thought this might interest you. With the decline in Honey Bees it was a nice surprise to find an active hive of wild (feral) bees (July 20). Thomas J Northey, Little Britain, ON
Sightings
Enjoying the Merlins on Princess Street
The nesting families of Merlins we’ve enjoyed at the Little Lake Cemetery has expanded with a nest we saw in spring seeming to be in the yard of a house near Little Lake (if not on Crescent Street, then Ware or a Lock Street backyard). Breeding was successful, but we Read more…
Sightings
No reports of Giant Swallowtails yet this year – Few Monarch sightings
I have not seen a Giant Swallowtail this year at all. Although I haven’t kept count of Monarchs this year, I did see my first one on May 29th – my earliest ever – and my second on June 2nd. The first was near Warsaw, and the other, near Stoney Read more…
Sightings
“Fall” migration already underway as Least Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs return from Arctic nesting grounds
Least Sandpiper (8) Lesser Yellowlegs (3) – Reported Jul 15, 2016 06:20 by Scott Gibson – Peterborough–Fairbairn Street wetland, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: Photos
Uncategorized
Beautiful Black-crowned Night-Heron near London St. footbridge
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (1) – Reported Jul 11, 2016 07:20 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Water St., Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Adult perched on snag overhanging river near W end of London St. footbridge. Quite far from my vantage point but with binos I Read more…