Peterborough author Sean Kane’s madcap animal story highlights a host of contemporary themes Peterborough Examiner – July 7, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As a child, I loved books that highlighted the intelligence and emotions of animals. My favourite was the 1963 book Read more…
I took a photo of this spider tonight, June 27, before bed. It’s bigger than a toonie for sure and the biggest spider since my cottage days and dock spiders. Any thoughts? Wayne Stovell, Cavan Note: I believe it’s a Read more…
The Kawarthas is home to close to 100 species of butterflies. Peterborough Examiner – June 30, 2023 – by Drew Monkman My special affection for butterflies began as a classroom teacher. Each September, I would collect monarch caterpillars for my students to raise. Read more…
Lots to look forward to in the coming weeks Peterborough Examiner – June 23, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As I do at the beginning of each new season, I’d like to look ahead at some of the events in nature that we Read more…
Big change begins with small talk Peterborough Examiner – June 16, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As a dystopian orange sun rose over the Kawarthas last week and Peterborough recorded the second worst air quality in all of North America, one thing became Read more…
On May 28, I also saw this Eastern Milksnake on the west day use trail at Petroglyphs Provincial Park. It was in the section just before the small bridge that spans the creek between the marshes. I had never seen Read more…
Male cones are now releasing copious amounts of pollen. Peterborough Examiner – June 2, 2023 – by Drew Monkman In recent days, you may have noticed a mysterious dust that has descended upon your car windshield or outdoor furniture, turning surfaces a lemon Read more…
They may be annoying, but they’re a crucial part of the natural world. Peterborough Examiner – May 19, 2023 – by Drew Monkman Every year when mid-May rolls around, the relative number of mosquitoes becomes a popular topic of conversation – and one Read more…
Fifteen birding hotspots in Peterborough and the Kawarthas (and two great apps!) Peterborough Examiner – May 12, 2023 – by Drew Monkman With mid-May comes peak songbird migration as multitudes of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers, orioles and more arrive from Latin America. Some Read more…
The biggest part of seeing is knowing what to expect. Peterborough Examiner – May 5, 2023 – by Drew Monkman “The world’s favorite season is spring. All things seem possible in May.”– Edwin Way Teale Although it seems foolish to talk of a favourite Read more…
On April 30th, looking out the main floor windows, Peter spied a large bird flapping its wings far up into our huge White Pine which is about 120 feet from the river and a similar distance from the house. If Read more…
Nesting season is a reminder to keep cats indoors Peterborough Examiner – April 28, 2023 – by Drew Monkman It’s hard not to have a special fondness for robins. Unlike most other birds, they treat us to intimate views of their family lives Read more…
Earth Day is a time to appreciate all that’s happening locally. Peterborough Examiner – April 21, 2023 – by Drew Monkman When I think back to my childhood, so much of what I recall were moments spent outside: the joy of catching frogs Read more…
Spring is an exciting time for nature enthusiasts Peterborough Examiner – April 14, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As we enjoy spring’s arrival, I’d like to provide a taste of some of the wonderful events in nature to look forward to in Read more…
Today (March 20) at about 3:45 pm there was a Snow Goose among the Canada Geese on the edge of the Otonabee on Water Street near Langton Street. Carl Welbourn On March 19 at Little Lake Cemetery I saw a Read more…
On February 3, I came across a small flock of Pine Grosbeaks feeding on ash keys. They were on Douro 9th Line just north of Hwy 7. Carl Welbourn Female Pine Grosbeaks feeding on ash keys (Carl Welbourn)
When the world comes together for the love of birds Peterborough Examiner – February 3, 2023 – by Drew Monkman Looking for something to do over the upcoming Family Day Weekend? Consider taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) from February Read more…
Indigenous species’ names contain an abundance of precious information Peterborough Examiner – January 27, 2023 – by Drew Monkman Joe Pitawanakwat is on a rescue mission: to catalog the names of birds in Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language, before knowledge of these names – and Read more…
Today, January 31, I saw 10 Trumpeter Swans off of the beach in Lakefield. Three were immatures. Guy Hanchet, Lakefield A female Northern Flicker was at our suet feeder twice this morning, Jan 22. Jim Cashmore, Claudette Court, Peterborough Just Read more…
Local Christmas counts provide a glimpse at the ups and downs of bird populations Peterborough Examiner – January 13, 2023 – by Drew Monkman How quickly winter bird numbers can change. Just a year ago, the forests, fields, and feeders of the Kawarthas Read more…
Looking ahead to what nature has in store this winter Peterborough Examiner – January 6, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As global heating continues, it comes as no surprise that 2022 was a warmer-than-average year for Peterborough. In fact, nine of the past Read more…
Readers saw everything from cobra-like hog-nosed snakes to the elusive fisher Peterborough Examiner – December 23, 2022 – by Drew Monkman I would like to thank the many people who have shared some of their nature sightings, anecdotes, and photographs with me over Read more…
I’d like to share a wonderful experience I had with bird visitors to my backyard on December 17. Sitting in my living room which faces south, I was aware of a lot of activity in the trees. I went to Read more…
Envisioning what nature protection could look like in 20 years Peterborough Examiner – December 16, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Imagination is critical to sustainable and just futures for life on Earth. Imagining a species-rich future that also meets society’s needs engages Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – November 25, 2022 – by Drew Monkman This has been a particularly depressing fall for all of us who value nature and a healthy climate. As just two examples, the recent State of the Birds 2022 report has once again Read more…
I came across this native Beetberry plant (Blitum capitatum) on November 14 while hiking in the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve on Stoney Lake. Bet Curry On November 8, I saw 16 Sandhill Cranes fly over Oakwood, ON. Gavin Hunter On November Read more…
Trent’s TARP project engaged in long-term study of freshwater ecosystems Peterborough Examiner – November 18, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Everyone loves a good fish story. However, we learn to take them with a grain of salt. Well, there’s a fish story of Read more…
Many discovered this pastime while stuck at home during pandemic lockdowns Peterborough Examiner – November 4, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Although the store owners themselves might feel a little sheepish saying so, the global Covid-19 pandemic provided a huge boost to the Read more…
I was excited to see a flock of Evening Grosbeaks at our feeders this morning, October 29, in Selwyn. They didn’t visit here at all last winter and they’ve been here a couple of times in the last week. I Read more…