Peterborough Examiner – February 4, 2022 – by Drew Monkman A look at how amphibians, reptiles, and fish endure winter Whenever I’m out walking in the woods in winter, I often think of the many strategies used by animals and plants to survive this punishing season. Seen or unseen, awake or dormant, life 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 are robins able to withstand the cold?” As it turns 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 many ways: the number of people submitting checklists to eBird, 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 great horned owl echoed through the trees. Almost immediately, a 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, they are also in serious trouble. There are three billion 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 season slowly slips into the next. Like a celestial clock, 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 amazing 5.0 C warmer than normal – most likely our 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 family. Activities such as these are also popular with kids 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 are most noticeable in a group known as winter or 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 on the Canadian Shield, the flora and fauna is almost 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 an ecological education is that one lives alone in a 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, and flowers are engaged in a crucial mission: spreading their 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 friends, family, and even our kids. You’d almost think we’ve 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 we’re old enough to talk, we overwhelm our parents with 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 and changing colours never fail to shake me out of 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 the tragedy in Afghanistan. As serious as these problems are, 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, and much of that entertainment has come in the form 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 people died in BC in the late-June heatwave, just a 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 motorcycle, he says, there is a connection to one’s surroundings 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 of identification is knowing what species are most likely given 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, even if we accept the science, isn’t the pandemic a 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 dog lover. I still remember the Christmas morning when my Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – May 10, 2021 – by Drew Monkman MPP Dave Smith needs to act now to help protect this rich natural area For many years, Jack’s Lake east of Apsley has been one of my favorite nature destinations. From its rich diversity of butterflies and reptiles to Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – June 4, 2021 – by Katie Krelove, Ontario Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee and member of the Catchacoma Forest Stewardship Committee The clock is ticking: May 17 the last day to comment on proposed logging plan By now it’s common knowledge that the pandemic has driven many Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – April 23, 2021 17 songs to inspire action to protect our planet As we celebrate Earth Week, I’d like to step back from my usual fact-driven perspective on the state of the environment. Today, I want music to do the talking. I’ve put together a Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – April 16, 2021 Forest Schools take the learning outside – and kids love it! April 22 is Earth Day. For me, it’s always a time to reflect on our fractured relationship with the natural world. This year, however, I’m feeling more hopeful than I have in Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – April 9, 2021 Woodcock’s sky dance a must-see marvel of nature in the Kawarthas With monikers like pop-eyed shot dodger, bogsucker, sky dancer, and timber-doodle, the American woodcock may have the most evocative nicknames of any bird. It’s not surprising. This strangely-shaped species with a ridiculously long Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – April 2, 2021 A look ahead at events in nature as spring arrives in the Kawarthas With early spring now upon us, nature’s most eventful and exciting season has begun. Change is the order of the day. The silence of winter has already given way to ardent Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – March 19, 2021 – subscription required to read article online Comments from readers provide insights into why so many of us still remain silent This week, I’d like to provide a breakdown of the comments people submitted to me via Facebook and email to my question: Read more…
(Peterborough Examiner – March 12, 2021) “How lovely are the portals of the night, when stars come out to watch the daylight die.” Thomas Cooke When I think of early spring, my thoughts often turn to a memorable evening at the Trent Wildlife Sanctuary. Standing with my kids in Read more…