Blog

An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail appeared in our garden today, the first of the year. It spent its time on the Purple Coneflower and Joe-Pye Weed. This species flies later in the summer than the very similar Canadian Tiger Swallowtail. Location: Read more

I am sitting here, looking out our back window at 4 Red Foxes playing. Three days ago we had one, then two, but tonight there are four. I assume they are this years young but they are quite large. I Read more

The annual Petroglyph Butterfly Count, organized and compiled by Jerry Ball, took place on July 18. Cool, wet weather this spring and summer are the most probable explanations as to why both the number of species and the number of Read more

I found an Eastern Milk Snake curled up in my woodshed (attached to the house) underneath a garbage can. The shed seams to be a favorite spot for snakes. I am located 6 km east of Havelock on Highway 7. Read more

I have only twice in my career had the opportunity to come across an endangered species while on my way into work. The first time was about 17 years ago while driving to the East Gate of Algonquin Park and Read more

Today, at Jackson Park, my family and I saw a Red-Tailed Hawk. It was probably guarding its nest which we saw below the hawk. A blue jay was flying to the nest but failed to get there. After that, the Read more

A pair of Merlins have been present in the area of Dufferin and Ross streets for at least the last two months. There is a large nest high up a spruce on the northwest corner of the intersection. Today, my Read more

Several dozen Showy Lady’s-slippers orchids were in full bloom today east of Warsaw. Location: Warsaw Observer: Drew Monkman

This morning at about 7:00 a.m., I saw and heard two Sandhill Cranes. They were calling back and forth. Location: 4th Line of Douro, half way between Centre Line and the dead-end of the road Observer: Leo Condon

A Pine Siskin showed up at our feeder in Peterborough today. It was the first I’ve seen in the yard in several weeks and a very late sighting for this species. Location: Maple Crescent, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

Jerry Ball found an American Avocet today at the Aspinal’s Farm on Johnson Dr. Directions: Take Monaghan Road south, under the Bypass. It becomes Johnson Dr when it swings west and follows the bypass. Johnson jogs left, then right and Read more

I heard and saw a Whip-poor-will on the Rotary Trail, just south of Thomas A. Stewart high school today around 9:30 pm. Location: Peterborough Observer: Ichora

At least two pairs of Common Nighthawks were flying over the fields across from Camp Kawartha (east of Camp Line Road and south of Birchview Road) tonight. The males were doing their diving display and producing the whoosing “hoooov” sound Read more

Today, a Virginia Rail skittered across the Rotary Trail ahead of us near the crossing of Douro 8th Concession. Location: Douro 8th Concession Observer: Jane Bremner

Today, we saw two Sandhill Cranes in a farmer’s field next to #3211 on County Road 6 (formerly Stoney Lake Rd). Location: Stoney Lake Road Observer: Lynne and Len Cotton

Today, I went for a walk in the Trent University Nature Reserve and saw 1 Northern Mockingbird on the canal side. Location: Trent University Observer: Luke Berg

I had 2 summer adult Sandhill Cranes today just outside of Keene on Cty Rd. 2 in first farm field on left. They are difficult to see as they blend in nicely with the soil from the field. This was Read more

Blackpoll Warbler singing in the yard this morning Location: Maple Cres., Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

I had a “summer adult” Sandhill Crane today on my property. Location: 2902 County Road 38, Warsaw Observer: Didi Anderson

Migrating Blackpoll Warblers were calling from the trees as hundreds of people milled about at the annual Gilmour Street Garage Sale. Location: Peterborough Observer: Chris Risley

A female Rose-breasted Grosbeak showed up at our feeder today. I also had reports of males today, as well, at two separate feeders in the west end of Peterborough. Location: Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

I saw two Sandhill Cranes today soaring high over Highway 7, just west of Ski Hill Road in Omemee. Location: Omemee Observer: Gavin Hunter

In Cavan Woods this morning, I had 10 new year birds including: male Scarlet Tanager, Vesper Sparrow, Nashville Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, CommonYellowthroat, Ovenbird, Solitary Sandpiper, and Willow Flycatcher (“whit” call). Location: Cavan Observer: Scott McKinlay