Blog

At around noon today, while returning from a walk in Petroglyphs Provincial Park, Lori and I were very surprised to see two Mourning Cloak butterflies: 1 at rest on the pavement of Northey

This morning, a large flock of Canada Geese past over going north. They are the first I have seen this season. Location: Peterborough Observer: Sue Hill

At Little Lake Cemetery, there were 2 Ring-necked Ducks, several Goldeneyes and a very vocal Merlin . At Highland Park Cemetery, there were 50 or more Cedar Waxwings. Location: Little Lake and Highland Park cemeteries in Peterborough Observer: Ken Rumble

Our first Red-winged Blackbird showed up this morning in the yard. Singing with it were an American Robin, several American Tree Sparrows, American Goldfinches and a Northern Cardinal. A Song Sparrow was in the yard as well. Spring is near! Read more

Yesterday (March 4) a Great Black-backed Gull (3rd winter) was feeding on a dead carp on the ice just above Lock 22 north of Trent U. I also found a Porcupine feeding in a White Cedar tree in the Trent Read more

This afternoon at about 3:30, my wife and I saw two River Otters above Lock 23 on the Otonabee River. They were on the edge of the ice on the west side. The otters then slipped into the water, swimming Read more

A lone Red-necked Grebe was swimming in the Otonabee River in Lakefield this morning, behind the Hendren Funeral Home. Location: Lakefield, Ontario Observer: Tony Bigg

Single Long-tailed Duck with Common Goldeneye and single Ring-necked Duck in the open water from the east side of Little Lake Cemetery. Location: Little Lake, Peterborough Observer: Ken Rumble

During a class trip to the Warsaw Outdoor Education Centre, we enjoyed looking at snowfleas (springtails) on the snow along the cross-country ski trails. Location: Warsaw, Ontario Observer: Drew Monkman and students

From Nov. 19, 2008 to Feb. 24, 2009, I sighted a female Red-bellied Woodpecker on 40 different days at my feeder/property. Location: South Monaghan township Observer: David Harries

I have had a single Yellow-rumped Warbler visiting my feeder all winter. Its preferred foods include nyger seed and other small seeds. The bird will take seeds directly from the feeder or from the balcony floor where they have dropped. Read more

I am being visited by Pine Siskins for the first time in many years. They are the only birds besides goldfinches that are able to hang upside down on my Niger seed feeder. As many as six Northern Cardinals at Read more

Just a reminder that this weekend (Feb. 13 to 16), the Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place across North America. It serves to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds across the continent are this weekend. You basically Read more

I heard my first Northern Cardinals of the year singing this morning at 8:30 a.m. I was standing in the parking lot Edmison Heights Public School on Marina Blvd. There were at least two birds singing. Location: Marina Blvd, Peterborough Read more

There was a Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a willow tree between my neighbors’ backyard and Cavan Creek (east side of County Road 10, just north of Cavan intersection. It was there for at least half an hour giving very good Read more

This afternoon, a small accipter sat in a tree in my yard. It was most likely a Sharp-shinned Hawk, although a male Cooper’s can’t be discounted. (The two species can overlap in size.) Location: Merino Drive, Peterborough Observer: Sue Hill

Today, I observed a Great Gray Owl on the road between Bridgenorth and Lakefield. Location: County Road 18 Observer: Heather Watson

While skiing up Jackson

10 Pine Grosbeaks with lots of Pine siskins and a few Common Redpolls. Location: Ford Cresent, RR#1 Cavan. Observer: Ken Rumble

Today at 2:00 p.m. I found observed a Snowy Owl in Millbrook. It was sitting on a telephone pole. Location: Millbrook, Ontario Observer: Paige Young

At 4:30 pm, I saw an adult Bald Eagle flying over the Little Lake Cemetery. Lots of Pine Siskins, too, at the feeder today on Ford Crescent in Cavan. Location: Peterborough and Cavan Observer: Ken Rumble

In conversation today with Tim Dyson, I learned that a Bobcat was trapped in December north of Havelock near Devil’s 4 Mile Road and Oak Lake. The trapper’s name is Guy Kennedy. Pictures were taken of the animal. Although I’ve Read more

While on the road south of Warsaw, about 100 metres south of the reindeer farm, I sighted a Great Gray Owl on Sunday, January 25. On January 26, six Common Redpolls were at my feeder in the front yard with Read more

I saw a Merlin this morning fly across Marina Blvd near Water Street. There has been at least one bird in this area for several years now. Location: Marina Blvd, Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkman

I saw an adult Bald Eagle today, flying north along the Otonabee just south of Lakefield. Location: Lakefield Observer: Drew Monkman