Blog

For the past several days, we have had an Eastern Towhee at our feeders in Millbrook Seems a little late for it to still be hanging around. This bird seemed to show up at the same time as the many Read more

This morning we had a Northern Flicker (see Nov. 19) at our feeder on Gilmour St. It must be its sixth or seventh year of wintering here (assuming it is the same one, a male). We also have a White-throated Read more

Just beyond the borders of Peterborough Co., on Saturday and Sunday, November 22nd and 23rd, there were lots of White-winged Crossbills, lesser numbers of Pine Siskins and redpolls, a few Purple Finches and goldfinches, and even three Pine Grosbeaks. Most Read more

A Pileated Woodpecker was observed hammering on a telephone pole at the corner of Charles and Burnham Streets. Another bird was seen at the corner of Homewood and Albertus. Location: see Sighting Observer: Eric Monkman

A White-throated Sparrow was busy scraffing seeds from under the Yew on this bitter cold morning and it seems to me he should be on his way south. Maybe I will have heavy feeders another winter. (Sue had two White-throated Read more

A Northern Flicker landed on a telephone pole on Alymer Street and was checking out a hole at the top. Location: Peterborough Observer: Randy Smith

Great Blue Heron at Beavermead Park Lagoon, Northern Harrier at Hastings, 25 CedarWaxwings near Campbellford and a Greater Black-backed Gull at Little lake Pier One. Location: various locations Observer: Randy Smith

I saw what I thought was a snowy owl land on top of a hydro pole this evening just outside my place of work on Fisher Drive. I work at Merit Precision Moulding. The patio where I saw him is Read more

I found 4 Blue-spotted Salamanders today near the Trent University Nature Area. The site is off of University Road, about 1 km south of County Road 4. I had also found 3 Eastern Newts on November 8 in a beaver Read more

This morning I saw a flock of 9 male Red Crossbills in the tops of some cone-laden White Pines on the Galway Forest Access Road. The trees are 0.6 km west on the Access Road from the start at Highway Read more

A Cattle Egret was observed in a pasture alongside a herd of cows. (Exact location to be determined.) Location: Peterborough Observer: Mike Taylor

For the first half of this winter (November through early January), Environment Canada is expecting milder than normal temperatures from the Great Lakes eastward. Precipitation is expect to be near normal in the eastern half of the country. Location: Observer:

At approx. 11 a.m, I saw a flock of Eastern Bluebirds on the west side of 6 Ft. Bay Road (Buckhorn) in an unused pasture. There were about a dozen males flitting amongst the grasses and thistles. I didn’t notice Read more

During a half hour bike ride at Petroglyphs P.P. this afternoon I saw no fewer than six Fox Sparrows. Also notable were several flocks of Red-breasted Nuthatches totaling more than 60 individuals. Two days ago (Oct. 21) I saw four Read more

I saw my first American Tree Sparrows of the Fall today. Three of them were along the rail trail south of the city. Location: south of Peterborough Observer: Tony Bigg

I saw an American crow like the one pictured in the Sibley field guide as it has all white primary and greater coverts as well as a white tail band (not in Sibley). Overall, this bird is quite a bit Read more

At about 6:00 PM last night while I was walking my dog in Burnham

Large flocks of Dark-eyed Juncoes showed up in our yard today. There were probably at least 30 in total. Several White-throated Sparrows were with them. Location: Maple Crescent Observer: Drew Monkman

Three Trumpeter Swans turned up today on Best Road Pond. One of them wore a wing tag (050). Location: Mount Pleasant Observer: Dan McWilliams

Dan McWilliams, who lives near Mount Pleasant, reports the presence of thousands of Cepaea nemoralis or Banded Wood Snail around his house. This is an exotic species that is becoming increasingly widespread in southern Ontario. They were first seen here Read more

There are a huge number of warblers (~40) in my yard and adjacent yards in Lakefield today. Most of these are Yellow-rumped Warblers but there are also a few Nashville Warblers and one immature Northern Parula (which is getting late Read more

While walking the rail trail between Base Line and David Fife Line I saw large numbers of Palm Warblers, with some Yellow-rumped Warblers, an Orange-crowned Warbler, a Blue-headed Vireo, and several Eastern Phoebes. In the fields by Base Line, Eastern Read more