Drew Monkman

Today at 1:10 p.m. we saw an adult Bald Eagle soaring over the Otonabee River near the Trent University rowing club. Location: Trent University Observer: Jennifer Budgell and Luke and Noah Berg

A Red-bellied Woodpecker that was visiting my feeder here in Warsaw in November has shown up again. We include corn in our feed and it seems to prefer that to anything else. Location: Warsaw Observer: Maureen Smith

This afternoon at 2:50 PM we saw a juvenile Golden Eagle flying SW over the Trent Nature Area (parking lot side)! Location: Trent Nature Area Observer: Luke Berg and Jennifer Budgell

Another drama is unfolding on the south shore in Hamilton Bay. A number of deer (6-8) ran out on the ice and then hit a large patch of late freezing perfectly smooth ice. They seem unable to get back on their hooves. The ice is questionable or I’d slide them Read more…

Peterborough Christmas Bird Count Highlights: A total of 51 species was found, plus 2 count period birds so far. New species

A deer carcass at Boschink Narrows had 4 coyotes, 3 eagles and a whole host of ravens and crows on it today. Location: Stony Lake Observer: Rob Welsh

Today, we had a pair of Hooded Mergansers on the Indian River near 395 Sawmill Road, just north of the Warsaw Caves. We do have them in the spring and throughout the summer with their young, but they usually don’t linger this late in the fall. Location: Warsaw Observer: Jane Read more…

Today there are two Common Loons trapped in a very small area of open water near the centre of Stony Lake. Two Bald Eagles are on the ice edge and are repeatedly trying to catch them. The loons quickly dive but I expect this will end badly for the loons. Read more…

While in the Co-Op in Grafton a gentleman was discussing the sighting of a Cougar in the yard of a neighbour on Lyle St. Location: Grafton (east of Cobourg) Observer: reported by Steven Watson

The dates for the two local Christmas Bird Counts are Sunday, December 20th, Peterborough CBC, and Sunday, December 27th, Petroglyphs CBC. I would ask participants to let me know as soon as possible if they are available for either or both. As usual the compilations will be at Kelsey

Activity of at our feeder has hit the annual November doldrums. Apart from the chickadees, all I’m seeing is half a dozen juncoes, a pair of Blue Jays, a Downy Woodpecker, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and two or three American Goldfinch. On Friday, a Cooper’s Hawk made a brief appearance Location: Read more…

I saw my first Bald Eagle of the season today. It lumbered down the centre of the main body of Lower Stony Lake. We also have a flock of Evening Grosbeaks feeding on the stags of the sumacs. Location: Stony Lake Observer: Rob Welsh

Today, at about 11:00 a.m., there was a Cackling Goose on the Otonabee River across from Peterborough Manor on Water Street. Location: Water Street Observer: Luke Berg

Today, there is a single Snow Goose hanging out with a large group of Canada Geese immediately above Lock 23 on the Otonabee River between Trent and Lakefield. Location: Otonabee River Observer: Colin Jones

I had an Osprey (adult) just downriver from Hastings today. Also a Great Blue Heron and two Hooded Mergansers. Location: Hastings Observer: Geoff Carpentier

Today I saw a Northern Shrike at the Trent Wildlife Sanctuary. Location: Trent University Observer: Luke Berg

Today, at about 9:30 a.m. I saw a Cackling Goose mixed in with a group of Canada Geese on the Otonabee River under the Inverlea bridge on Parkhill Road east. Location: Parkhill Road and Otonabee River Observer: Luke Berg

Only a couple of White-throated Sparrows remain in our yard. However, junco numbers have increased to nearly a dozen. Location: Maple Cres, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

On my walk today along the rail-trail from Jackson Park to Ackison Road, I saw and heard a number of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Dark-eyed Juncos, and White-throated Sparrows. One Rusty Blackbird flew over, making its “squeaky clothesline” call. Later, I saw a large flock of American Robins at Wallis and Parkhill. Read more…

This morning I watched a Sora walking around and feeding on water lily pads in the Lakefield Marsh. Nothing too unusual in that

White-throated Sparrows are passing through our area in large numbers right now. We have a dozen or so in our backyard every day. I always make a point of spreading sunflower seeds on the grass at this time of year. Once you learn their high-pitched call note, you’ll start hearing Read more…

Today, we saw our first Snapping Turtle hatchling of the year. It may have been from a clutch that we saw deposited in our gravel driveway on June 19, though it was raided by (presumably) a raccoon. We protected what was left (which wasn’t much) with some wire netting over Read more…