Sightings
Sightings of note: April 1 – 7
Snowy Owl – It was snowing on Upper Buckhorn on April 6 and guess what shows up at my neighbor’s dock? Looks like a male. Derry Fairweather Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1) Read more…
Columns
Gord Harrison guest column: Mother Courage and the Morality of Non-Human Animals
“There is no fundamental difference between man and animals in their ability to feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery.” Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man A decade or so ago, I came upon a considerable mystery. It was a Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: Feb. 11 – 17
I photographed this Merlin this morning, February 13, in Lakefield. Jeff Keller Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (1) – Reported Feb 12, 2018 08:30 Read more…
Columns
Happy Darwin Day!
February 12 is a day to reflect on the principles of perpetual curiosity, scientific thinking, and hunger for truth as embodied in Charles Darwin. With the arrival of February – a time I like to call ‘pre-spring’ – bird sound Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: Feb. 4-10
I heard a Great Horned owl at the edge of the cedar/ash/white pine forest by the Otonabee River near 9th line. On Feb 10- 5:45 am. Susan Chow Read more…
Columns
Let’s talk turkey
Abundant Wild Turkeys entertain rural residents with their interesting behaviours. It was a blockbuster trade for the ages. However, it wasn’t athletes that were shuffled around. It was wildlife. In 1984, Ontario sent River Otters to Missouri, Ruffed Grouse to Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: January 28 to February 3
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) (1) – Reported Feb 02, 2018 15:30 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Hannah Rd, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 7 Photos – Comments: “Cracking views of Adult flying over road near Hwy Read more…
Sightings
Presqu’ile Provincial Park Birding Report for week ending January 25, 2018
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:15:21 -0500 From: Fred Helleiner <fhelleiner@trentu.ca> To: ontbirds birdalert <birdalert@ontbirds.ca>, “webcomm@friendsofpresquile.on.ca” <webcomm@friendsofpresquile.on.ca> Subject: [Ontbirds] Presqu’ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 25, 2018. Message-ID: <80e03963-2d64-95e2-e222-26808819d78c@trentu.ca> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Most of the birds seen at Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: January 21 to 27
On my way home from a friend’s this evening at dusk (Jan. 27 – 4:45pm) while driving through pouring rain on Co. Rd. 38 between the Dummer-Asphodel Road and Webster Road south of Warsaw, an immature Snowy Owl suddenly appeared Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: January 14 to 20
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) (1) – Reported Jan 20, 2018 14:00 by Alexandra Israel – Lang Area, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S42106339 – Media: 1 Photo – Comments: “Alerted by mobbing chickadees. Only general location given.” Read more…
Sightings
Algonquin Birding Report – January 18, 2018
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2018 21:10:57 -0500 From: Ron Tozer <rtozer@vianet.ca> To: ontbirds <birdalert@ontbirds.ca> Subject: [Ontbirds] Algonquin Park Birding Report: 18 January 2018 Message-ID: <9EB826CE-F822-457A-BD69-C0D6961B2718@vianet.ca> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”UTF-8″ As an ?old guy? myself, I was pleased when the male Spruce Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: January 7 to 13
We have been getting a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers for the last 2 years. We also had a sighting of a Red-headed Woodpecker this past September (2017). I feed all year so we get a lot of different birds here. Read more…
Columns
Amazing buds
Exploring the characteristics of twigs and buds is a great winter pastime After the dramatic reds, oranges and yellows of fall leaves, it’s easy to think that the seemingly barren trees of winter offer little of interest. Fortunately, Read more…
Columns
Counting birds at Christmas
The annual Christmas Bird Count reveals the ups and downs of bird populations – and always some surprises. Between mid-December and early January, birders in more than 2,500 localities across North, Central and South America take a break from the Read more…
Sightings
Observations from Tim Dyson – Warsaw and area – Early winter 2017-18
N.B. “Home” and “the yard” is between Warsaw and Lakefield. On December 12th, a Golden-crowned Kinglet flitted about with a few juncos and chickadees in the apple trees in the yard. Three White-winged Crossbills and a Brown Creeper were the Read more…
A Changing Climate
A sobering year for environmental news
2017 saw dire environmental stories grab centre stage but all was not doom and gloom As we shiver into 2018, I would like to take a moment to look back at 2017 and revisit some of the top environmental and Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: December 31 to January 6
I am quite sure I spotted an Elk in an open field on Jan. 6, 2018. It was just east of the village of Warkworth on County Road 29 (north side) around 11:45 am. Doug McNabb Read more…
Sightings
Highlights of the 32nd Petroglyphs Christmas Bird Count – Dec. 27, 2017
The 32nd Petroglyphs Christmas Bird Count was held on Thursday, December 27, 2017 during very cold conditions. It was nearly -30 degrees C first thing in the morning and only warmed up to about -18 by mid-afternoon. Participants: 24 Total species: 32 (close Read more…
Sightings
Results of 66th Peterborough Christmas Bird Count – December 17, 2017
Copy of Total Count Tally Sheet _Ptbo Count 2017
Sightings
Sightings of note: December 24 – 30, 2017
Barred Owl: Sighted Saturday, December 30, at 2:30pm in Burnham’s Woods (Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park) on Hwy 7, just east of Peterborough. It was sitting in one of the large hemlock trees about 40 metres from the end of the Read more…
Columns
In praise of the Winter Solstice
The winter solstice is a time of wonder and the assurance of spring’s return Today marks the winter solstice and the first official day of winter. It is a time of contemplation and reverence, not only in its spiritual dimensions Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: December 17 – 23
Bald Eagle: We live on the Sixth Line of Selwyn (right behind Paris Marine). I spotted this adult Bald eagle in the tree beside our house on Monday, December 18. Hope you enjoy it. Heather Turner Read more…
Sightings
Necrospy results from Sept. Mallard deaths: No poisoning
The necropsy results from the September 3 Mallard deaths on Tobin Court in Peterborough were released by MNRF on December 16, 2017. They ruled out poisoning. They did extensive testing for botulism, which is a reason that the results took Read more…
Columns
Gifts for the nature-lover
Seeds, bee houses and more: Tips for what to put under the Christmas tree If you have someone on your Christmas list who would rather spend time in the garden than head to the mall, who prefers nature books to Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: December 10 – 16
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (1) – Reported Dec 16, 2017 12:29 by Dan Chronowic – 615 Weller Street Peterborough, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41133580 – Comments: “Flew low over the house heading in a NE direction.” Read more…
Sightings
Observations from Tim Dyson – Warsaw/Lakefield/Stoney Lake – Autumn 2017
N.B. Whenever I refer to “home”, it is between Warsaw and Lakefield, south of the Sawer Creek Wetland. Passerines and other birds and animals. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo flew over my kayak as I began to paddle up the Indian River Read more…
Columns
The joy of tree-spotting
The holiday season is the perfect time to get to know the conifers With practice, it’s possible to identify many plants and animals by size and shape alone. Any two European starlings will always look plump, have a relatively long, Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note: Dec. 3 to 9
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (1) – Reported Dec 09, 2017 12:01 by Ben Taylor – Charlotte and Rubidge, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40994101 – Comments: “Seen flying east along Charlotte Street. Stocky bird with steady, powerful wingbeats.” Northern Read more…
Sightings
Recent sightings of note: November 26 to December 2
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) (1) – Reported Dec 02, 2017 09:40 by Donald A. Sutherland – Peterborough–E side Airport Rd opposite Peterborough Municipal Airport, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 1 Photo – Comments: “perched atop Read more…
Columns
A winter almanac
Expect a lot of snow and a ‘classic Canadian winter’ In my fall nature almanac, I had the temerity to predict that the sunshine and cool temperatures of early September would lead to extraordinary leaf colour. Well, I sure got Read more…