Sightings
Another large flock of winter robins!
Between Christmas and New Years and again on January 11, there was a flock of 15 American Robins on Ford Crescent in Cavan. Ken Rumble
Sightings
Snow Buntings in Hastings area
Every year my wife and I are eager to see flocks of Snow Buntings. This year, I saw a very large flock on January 14 in a field just east of the 3rd line of Asphodel and the south side Read more…
Sightings
Bald Eagle feeding on carcass near Fowler’s Corners
On Sunday, January 15, I saw a Bald Eagle feeding on a carcass in a field on the east side of Highway 7. I think it was just south of Fowler’s Corners. Jackie Lewis, Maynooth ON
Sightings
Live Wildlife Viewing from Algonquin Park
In late December 2016, a Moose was killed in a vehicle collision on Highway 60 in Algonquin Park. On January 5, 2017, this Moose was moved to the valley below the Visitor Centre. For Algonquin Park’s predators, winter can be Read more…
Sightings
Northern Shrike near Buckhorn
Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) (1) – Reported Jan 15, 2017 11:25 by Scott Gibson – Buckhorn Road, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Media: 1 Photo – Comments: “perched at top of tree on east side of road”
Sightings
Belted Kingfisher on Otonabee River
I drove out River Road to Lakefield on January 14 to see what I could find. At Bolton Farm, I found this Belted Kingfisher making its way up river from tree to tree. The river was high, fast and with Read more…
Sightings
Update of Jack Lake Fauna Atlas
I recently had the opportunity to update our atlas of Jack Lake fauna with data and observations from 2016 (LINK). Since this project was initiated in 2013, we (97 individuals have reported information on sightings) have compiled more than 3,000 records Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) (1) – Reported Jan 12, 2017 15:37 by Martin Parker – Otonabee River–between Lock 23 and 24, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “male – continuing bird” Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) (1) – Reported Read more…
Sightings
Beautiful male Red-bellied Woodpecker in Lakefield
Last week we saw this male Red-bellied Woodpecker at our feeder in Lakefield. He was eating sunflower seeds and feeding at the fat block. I couldn’t see the red belly, however. He was quite shy, so no real close-ups. David Read more…
Sightings
A two-raptor day
I took a picture of this Red-tailed Hawk at Lock 25 on the Otonabee River on December 30. The Merlin was near Omemee. Carl Welbourn Kawartha Camera Club
Sightings
A rarely seen Norway Rat
Here is photo of my resident Norway Rat, taken on January 1. We have only seen it twice this winter, although it exhibits the same behaviours – scurrying from under the porch to the base of the bird feeder – Read more…
Sightings
Large flock of Common Mergansers on Katchewanooka
I saw 14 Common Mergansers on Lake Katchewanooka on January 8. Also, my neighbour tells me he recently saw a Bald Eagle steal a fish from our resident American Mink. I would have loved a video of that! Laurie McLaughlin-Maveal
Sightings
Crows mobbing a Red-tailed Hawk
Here is a picture of an American Crow sending out the alarm, regarding this Red-tailed Hawk in our poplar tree. There were two other crows not in the photo also circling around the hawk and creating quite a ruckus. Shortly Read more…
Sightings
Another Peregrine sighting in downtown Peterborough
I saw a Peregrine Falcon in Peterborough on January 10, 2017 at 3:25 pm. It alighted on the top of a telephone pole at the corner of Downie and Murray Streets. At first I thought it was a Merlin from Read more…
Sightings
Recent Pileated Woodpecker sightings
Though we have Pileated Woodpeckers in the neighbourhood all year, Tuesday was the first time that I have been able to photograph them feeding at the suet feeder. No doubt this has been going on for some time but did Read more…
Sightings
Sightings of note
Barred Owl (Strix varia) (1) – Reported Jan 11, 2017 13:03 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Bear Creek Rd, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “10 feet from road in cedar swale after swamp.” Peregrine Falcon (Falco Read more…
Columns
Readers’ nature sightings in review: July – December 2016
I would once again like to thank the many people who contacted me over 2016 to share their nature sightings and photographs. This week, I will continue my year-end review with sightings from June through December. You can also find Read more…
Sightings
A beautiful Pileated Woodpecker drops by
This female Pileated Woodpecker was in our Peterborough yard on Mark Street twice on December 30. Her visit lasted 30 to 45 minutes each time. Hope you enjoy the photos! Helen and Larry Keller
Sightings
A visit from two Northern Flickers – a rare woodpecker in winter!
On Mark Street today, January 1, my husband and I saw two Northern Flickers land in our yard. A spectacular sight. Unfortunately they didn’t stay long enough for me to capture them in more than two photos. We hope they Read more…
A Changing Climate
10 Most Important Climate Stories of 2016
By Brian Kahn at CLIMATE CENTRAL – Published: December 28th, 2016 This year is likely to remembered as a turning point for climate change. It’s the year the impacts of rising carbon pollution became impossible to ignore. The world is Read more…
Sightings
Interesting sightings from Lakefield
I just noticed an American Robin in my backyard! That is pretty strange. Also, yesterday, on a walk we saw what a friend identified as a Barred Owl. And also some couple apparently captured a Common Loon that was struggling Read more…
Sightings
Northern Saw-whet Owl west of Buckhorn
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) (1) – Reported Dec 23, 2016 08:45 by Iain Rayner – Ptbo – Bear Creek Rd, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Responded to play back (toot series) with ‘ksew’ call. Approximately 100-200m Read more…
Sightings
An impressive trio of birds at Keene-area feeder
How’s this for a high triple at my feeder this morning: Eastern Towhee, Northern Flicker and American Kestrel ….. Followed by 3 Eastern Bluebirds while skiing on the rail trail! Michael Gillespie, Keene
Sightings
Snow Buntings in field at Selwyn and Buckhorn Roads
I have now seen twice what I think is a very large flock of Snow Buntings in a field just east of the four-way stop at Selwyn and Buckhorn Roads on the south side. both times, it was between 4:30 Read more…
Sightings
Large numbers of crows in west end of Peterborough
I was wondering if you could tell me , why I am seeing so many crows around my house this time of year. There are as many as 20 to 50 of them, and they have been around for the Read more…
Sightings
Recent raptor sightings: three owl species and a falcon!
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) (1) – Reported Dec 18, 2016 04:00 by Iain Rayner – PTBO – CBC Area 3 (Wedge from river to cty rd 4), Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: – Comments: “Responded to whinnying playback. In Read more…
Sightings
Sandhill Cranes at Miller Creek Conservation Area
Just wanted to let you know that I saw a pair of Sandhill Cranes in the Miller Creek Conservation Area (7th Line of Selwyn) in August 2016. It was great to seem them up close, standing near a beaver lodge. Read more…
Columns
Readers’ nature sightings in review: January – June 2017
I would like to take time this week to thank the many people who have contacted me over the past 12 months to share their nature sightings and photographs. Although I have already posted these sightings on my website (drewmonkman.com), Read more…
Sightings
Lingering grebe and more bluebirds!
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) (1) – Reported Dec 18, 2016 08:10 by Linda Sunderland – Burnham Line PTBO, Peterborough, Ontario – Map: – Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33105049 – Comments: “continuing bird on Little Lake” Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) (5) – Reported Dec Read more…
Sightings
Eagles, ducks and a loon along Otonabee
Today was a really productive day on the River Road. We spotted a female Wood Duck around the buoy just north of Trent University. An adult and an immature Bald Eagle were on the ice at Lock 25. The adult Read more…