At our cottage on Crowe Lake, we’ve been watching our annual convention of Trumpeter Swans. After I took this video there was quite the flurry of activity. We are so fortunate to be able to enjoy this part of nature. Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – February 4, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Evolution has conferred birds and mammals with intriguing adaptations. One of my most frequent bird sightings this winter might surprise you. It’s the American robin. People often ask me, “How in the world Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – January 14, 2022 – by Drew Monkman A look at data from eBird and the results of the Petroglyphs Christmas Bird Count Peterborough has one of the most active birding communities in all of Canada. This is borne out in Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – January 7, 2022 – by Drew Monkman A record 71 species tallied on the Peterborough Christmas Bird Count As the full moon cast long shadows through a woodlot on the outskirts of Bridgenorth, the mysterious “whooo…whoo-hoo…who-who” song of a Read more…
We live at the 12th Line and Northey’s Road in Selwyn. This Red-bellied Woodpecker has been here for the past week. Not the best picture (taken December 3). Paul Vigneux I had a productive day (December 6) at the Peterborough Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – December 17, 2021 – by Drew Monkman With bird populations in serious decline, a Peterborough group is stepping up Birds are all around us. They cheer us up during bleak winter days and remind us of spring’s return. Unfortunately, however, Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – December 10, 2021 – by Drew Monkman The solstice reminds us why we have seasons One of the greatest pleasures to be derived from the regular observation of the natural world is to witness the passage of time as one Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – December 3, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Looking ahead to what nature has in store this winter nature As is now the pattern with a changing climate, this fall in Peterborough was marked by extreme temperature. October was an Read more…
Check out August sightings for Brian Asmunt’s encounter with an Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. Here are a couple of shots of my first Snow Bunting of the year. I saw it at the Omemee marsh on November 1. Driving on the Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – November 19, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Ten easy activities to engage more fully with nature This week, I’d like to propose some simple activities to enhance a late fall or winter walk, be it alone or with friends or Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – November 12, 2021 – by Drew Monkman A look at the annual winter finch forecast Anyone who feeds or watches birds knows that the relative abundance and diversity of species varies widely from one winter to the next. These fluctuations Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – November 5, 2021 – by Drew Monkman The late fall forest is a joy to explore Last week I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days at my brother’s cottage on Big Gull Lake, north of Kaladar. Located Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – October 22, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Our region offers rich experiences in the natural world, but let’s also acknowledge the losses and assaults As the great American ecologist and conservationist, Aldo Leopold, once wrote, “One of the penalties of Read more…
I thought you might be interested and surprised (as I was) to know that I heard at least one Chorus Frog calling both yesterday afternoon and evening (October 20) from a wet meadow on the 7th Line Smith near our Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – October 15, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Seeds ride air, animals, and their own steam to new destinations Nature is never at rest. Even now, as leaves change colour and fall to the ground, all manner of trees, shrubs, Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – October 8, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Many children are already anxious or have dangerous misconceptions. They want and need to talk about it. For nearly two years now, we’ve all been talking non-stop about Covid with Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – September 24, 2021 – by Drew Monkman A boom or bust cycle of seed production is no less than an adaptation for survival “Daddy, why do flowers smell nice? Why do ladybugs have spots?” From the time Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – September 17, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Cooler temperatures, migrating birds, and a riot of colour are the hallmarks of this wonderful season. Next to spring, fall’s arrival is my favorite change of season. The cooler temperatures Read more…
On September 27, while walking on the 3rd hole of the Kawartha Golf and Country Club, I spotted two Giant Puffballs in the little strip of woods just west of the green. They were at least 10 inches in diameter, Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – September 3, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Given how quickly climate chaos is unfolding, the Conservative climate plan comes up short. The most alarming story to come out this summer is not the continuing pandemic or Read more…
This morning, August 30, while entering the Indian River at the Piggery for our ritual early morning swim, we noticed a heron-like bird on a branch close by. The sun was behind it so we only saw its silhouette. When Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – July 16, 2021 – by SCOTT MCKINLAY Nature isn’t just good for you; it nurtures climate action The restrictions of the past 16 months have forced many of us to explore new frontiers of entertainment and self-fulfillment, Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – July 9, 2021– by LINDA AND AL SLAVIN Local 4RG climate group connects us all to the biggest crisis modern humans have ever faced We keep hearing about the climate crisis in the news: more than 700 Read more…
I witnessed a very interesting encounter yesterday, July 20, between Common Loons and a Bald Eagle and, although it was not in the Kawarthas, I thought you might like to hear about it. My in-laws own a cottage on Papineau Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – July 2, 2021– by Marilyn Freeman It seems like a lifetime ago that I read Robert Pirsig’s “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. I’m not interested in motorcycles, but one concept stuck with me. On a Read more…
A friend of mine saw an American White Pelican on Sturgeon Lake at Sandy Point on June 25. Phillip McKeating Some recent photos of an Eastern Kingbird and a Black-billed Cuckoo near Campbellford. Donald Munro Patricia and I have been Read more…
Each night I awake about 1:00 a.m. In my easy chair, I observe flashes of white on the front deck. These are two or more flying squirrels at play. If I turn on the light, they do not move much Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – June 18, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Despite some challenges, there is much to look forward to in the coming months To a large extent, “seeing” is knowing what to expect. In fact, the cornerstone Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – June 4, 2021 – by Drew Monkman City’s actions don’t reflect declaration of a Climate Emergency On these beautiful June days, it’s hard to imagine the planet is in the midst of a climate crisis. And, Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – May 21, 2021 – by Drew Monkman “These woods were meant for nature walks/ Cross-country skis, and quiet talks./ Instead, we find ourselves among/ An endless trail of steaming dung.” Anonymous, March 2021 I am a Read more…