Blog

I was pleased to see and hear a Hermit Thrush while walking my dogs on the DePencier trail at TUNA this morning.. FIrst one for me this spring. Location: Trent University Nature Area Observer: Jennifer Budgell

This morning I walked the Trent Nature Area trails on the canal side of University Drive. Over the 2.5 hrs I was there, I saw at least three dozen Red Admirals and one American Lady. Obviously, they survived the -7C Read more

I live in Cornwall, and I experienced this same strange phenomena on Monday (April 16) evening. It occurred about 6 p.m. and I happened to look out on my balcony and saw many butterflies flying around the side of my Read more

I, too, had Red Admirals flying in my backyard in London in astounding numbers, commencing last Saturday, April 14 in the afternoon. At first there were only a few, perhaps half-a-dozen. By 17:30 on Monday, April 16, my best guess Read more

I have been seeing Red Admiral butterflies since the week of April 9th in the east end of GTA. Location: Greater Toronto Area (east end) Observer: Eileen Randall

Today I saw large numbers of American Lady butterflies in Whitby. This close relative of the Red Admiral (same genus) is also migratory. It would appear that the Ladies are also part of this huge butterfly movement from the southern Read more

Cool tempertures today (max: 9 C) made butterfly activity almost non-existent. There was only one report of a Red Admiral flying. Location: Peterborough Observer: Erica Nol

Following everyone else I saw many Red Admirals today, some nectaring on Coltsfoot and some on Willow blooms. First for the year for me, I also saw several Spring Azures (Trent Wildlife Sanctuary and Charlie Allen Rd), a Mustard White Read more

This afternoon with the wind came beautiful “Red Admiral” butterflies everywhere and still tonight [7:16], they are continuing to entertain us. Never have seen this, so many in one place. Lynne – Location: Springbrooke Drive, Peterborough Observer: Lynne Kemp

I counted 42 Red Admirals while walking the dog around the block at 6 p.m. Location: Westbrook Drive, Peterborough Observer: Martin Parker

Further afield, this morning while birding in the Stratford/Mitchell area there were Red Admirals everywhere, quite literally — so presumably the phenomenon involved a huge area and huge numbers… I’ve never seen anything like it. Location: Stratford/Mitchell area Observer: Jarmo Read more

My wife counted 1 Question Mark and 20 Red Admirals in our yard in the space of five minutes! It would appear that they are being blown in on the strong, south-westerly winds. I was still seeing admirals in downtown Read more

When I arrived home at noon I noticed a butterly in our front garden so I got my camera to take a pic. When I returned outside there was a profusion of butterlies – mostly Red Admirals, with at least Read more

Colin Jones reports that currently, in what is probably an unprecedented mass migration (both in numbers and timing

Two flowers on one of my tulips opened today. Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

There are currently three pairs of Wood Ducks at the pond on the north side of County Road 16 beside the Gannon’s Narrows Conservation Area. At least one pair is known to be nesting in the nearby trees. The others Read more

Today I had my first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (male) of the year. It was quietly excavating its typical small, shallow holes in an Austrian pine. It spent most of the day in the same tree. Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Read more

Trumpeter Swans J81 and J88 were photographed this morning on Chemong Lake, north of Fowler’s Corners. The same birds (along with J84) were seen on Rice Lake on March 30. Location: Chemong Lake Observer: Sandy Brack

Our backyard feeder is still busy with goldfinches (12+), juncoes (6), Pine Siskins (2) and the odd Purple Finch. At least one of the male goldfinches is almost in breeding plumage. Pine Siskins are present in large flocks at at Read more

For the past six years, I’ve had the same Black-capped Chickadee with a white head coming to my cottage feeder. I have to assume that it’s the same bird. Now that seems old for a chickadee! Location: Chemong Lake Observer: Read more

I live on Cameron Street in Peterborough on the Otonabee River. Today at around 5 p.m. I looked out the window to see a Trumpeter Swan at the waters edge. He has two yellow tags with the identification J82. He Read more

A Sora was calling in the Lakefield Marsh at 9:15 am this morning. Location: Lakefield Marsh Observer: Tony Bigg

Last night, in an attempt to trap Raccoons that are digging up our lawn, I trapped a Virginia Opossum. Location: Bridgenorth Observer: Bob Hardill

On an Easter Weekend hike through Petroglyphs Provincial Park, I did the loop around Nannabush Lake and came across an Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. I think it may have been a young one. I also saw a lot of Wild Turkeys Read more

My wife & I saw a Bald Eagle on Pigeon Lake this morning. We saw it from our cottage on Grenadier Island just south of the Narrows. We have an Osprey nesting on our property but the eagle was distinctive Read more

Leading the Peterborough Field Naturalist Sunday morning walk today we found a total of 25 Wilson

While kayaking today in Lower Buckhorn Lake near Wolf Island Provincial Park, I saw the breeding pair of Bald Eagles. The female was sitting on the nest (eggs?) and the male was in a tree nearby. Today, at the Lakefield Read more

At 4:15pm today Abby MacNaughton and I found a male Ruddy Duck at the Lakefield Sewage Lagoons. There were also lots of Bufflehead, good numbers of Ring-necked Ducks and Lesser Scaup as well as 4 Gadwall, 2 Wood Duck and Read more

The Bloodroot and Hepatica are in full bloom today in my garden. Dandelions are in flower on a number of lawns along the street. Two Eastern Comma butterflies were flying about the neighbourhood today, as well. Location: Maple Cres., Peterborough Read more