Sightings
February sightings of note
On February 3, I came across a small flock of Pine Grosbeaks feeding on ash keys. They were on Douro 9th Line just north of Hwy 7. Carl Welbourn Female Pine Grosbeaks feeding on ash keys (Carl Welbourn)
Sightings
January sightings of note
Today, January 31, I saw 10 Trumpeter Swans off of the beach in Lakefield. Three were immatures. Guy Hanchet, Lakefield A female Northern Flicker was at our suet feeder twice this morning, Jan 22. Jim Cashmore, Claudette Court, Peterborough Just like every year for the past 15 years, the Mallard Read more…
Sightings
December sightings of note
I’d like to share a wonderful experience I had with bird visitors to my backyard on December 17. Sitting in my living room which faces south, I was aware of a lot of activity in the trees. I went to the windows and was treated to the sight of dozens Read more…
Sightings
November sightings of note
I came across this native Beetberry plant (Blitum capitatum) on November 14 while hiking in the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve on Stoney Lake. Bet Curry On November 8, I saw 16 Sandhill Cranes fly over Oakwood, ON. Gavin Hunter On November 9, we had a visit at our feeder from a Read more…
Sightings
October sightings of note
I was excited to see a flock of Evening Grosbeaks at our feeders this morning, October 29, in Selwyn. They didn’t visit here at all last winter and they’ve been here a couple of times in the last week. I hope they make return visits. I caught a few images of Read more…
Sightings
September sightings of note
While walking in Burnham Woods this morning, September 3, I came across this striking fungus called Blushing Rosette, abortiporus biennia. The sun was hitting it and the “guttation” drops sparkled like rubies. Sue Paradisis We thought you might like this picture of a cute, baby Eastern Hog-nosed Snake that we Read more…
Sightings
August sightings of note
I discovered this account about foxes with mange in the Beeton/Innisfil area of Ontario. It was written by someone who works at an animal rehab center called Procyon Wildlife. The centre has seen many cases of mange in foxes in 2021. I have provided the link below for your information.https://www.procyonwildlife.com/2022/01/24/incredible-lives-of-foxes/ Read more…
Sightings
July sightings of note
I see a Jinny Clark in 2014 commented about squirrels licking her rocks but they took them.As far as I know my squirrel(s) are not taking the rocks but they move them all over the patio and yard. The white decorative rocks are located right outside a large 3 window Read more…
Sightings
June sightings of note
I thought I’d share that I saw a number of Yellow Lady’s Slipper orchids just north of the London Street bridge on the east bank, close to “the island”. The photos are from June 1. Sylvia Dee On my walk last night, June 10, I came across a Jack-in-the-pulpit and Read more…
Sightings
May sightings of note
Today, May 24, we saw our first Monarch of the spring. Very exciting! Scott Sargent On May 23, I spotted this beautiful Monarch in Peterborough. Carley Wilson On May 9, we had male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and our first Baltimore Oriole in our backyard in Peterborough. (Trudy Gibson) On May 5 Read more…
Sightings
April sightings of note
On April 25 on McCrea Drive in Peterborough, I was awakened by the calls of two Whip-poor-wills. One was near our backyard and the other was off in the distance. I was very surprised because as a youngster at the cottage we went to sleep every night to the sound Read more…
Sightings
March sightings of note
Here are a few pictures of our Fisher. We’ve been seeing a Fisher on our cameras for three years now, and I’m assuming it’s the same one. I don’t know a lot about them, but I suspect this is a female since it seems to be staying around. We see Read more…
Sightings
February sightings of note
On February 7, we had a juvenile Northern Goshawk in our backyard. My wife saw it first, and we watched totally mesmerized. It appeared to have just killed a squirrel. I’m a birdwatcher and I get a lot of different bird species. We have feeders set up. I’m sure I Read more…
Sightings
January sightings of note
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. Maxine Prentice, Peterborough Update from Maxine: The swans return each Read more…
Sightings
December sightings of note
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 Airport. Most of these birds were photographed along Moncrief Line. Read more…
Sightings
November sightings of note
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 River Road just south of Lakefield on November 4, we Read more…
Sightings
October sightings of note
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 house. We always have quite a few Chorus Frogs calling Read more…
Sightings
September sightings of note
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, in perfect stage of ripeness. I was tempted to gather Read more…
Sightings
August sightings of note
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 it took off, however, we were surprised to see that Read more…
Sightings
July sightings of note
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 Lake, north of Bancroft, and my family spent the last Read more…
Sightings
June sightings of note
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 puzzled about the Black Walnut trees around our house and Read more…
Sightings
May sightings of note
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 and I interrupt their game. A friend asked me if Read more…
Sightings
April Sightings of Note
I got this shot of a yawning Red Fox in Millbrook on April 20. Jeff Keller My daughter, Jennifer, went for a walk in a park today, April 25, and came across these Painted Turtles. She said it was fun to watch them trying to get a spot on the Read more…
Sightings
March sightings of note
I’m sending along photos of the two Pine Grosbeaks that showed up at my feeder in late December. I called them “Heebie” and “Jeebie”! One time, Jeebie almost landed on my head, but she decided to pull up at the last second; I could feel her wings. She also eventually Read more…
Sightings
February sightings of note
On February 26, I came across this Short-tailed Weasel (Ermine) near the Lakefield March. I wish I’d had my camera instead of just my phone. Debbie Jenkins also saw one outside her kitchen window. She apparently saw it grab a mouse! Guy Hanchet, Lakefield My husband and I spotted this Read more…
Sightings
January sightings of note
At noon, on January 31, I came across a Northern Hawk-owl at the horse farm just north of Selwyn on the Buckhorn Road (County Road 23). David Beaucage Johnson, Curve Lake On January 30, I came across this dead Northern Saw-whet Owl. By the marks in the snow, it flew Read more…
Sightings
December sightings of note
On December 2, I observed two Short-eared Owls flying over the east end of the runway at the Peterborough Airport. I flushed the first bird from a ditch as I parked on a pull-off on the west side of Moncrief Line, about 200 metres south of Mervin Line. The pull Read more…
Sightings
November sightings of note
On November 1, a Tufted Titmouse turned up at my backyard feeder. I live at 62 Westview Drive (an area known as The Glen) on Pigeon Lake in the City of Kawartha Lakes. It was coming to the feeder off and on until at least November 11. Blair Hamilton On Read more…
Sightings
September sightings of note
Today we were out walking along the Rotary Trail between Parkhill and the London Street footbridge. Six or seven large nest-like webs were visible, hanging from different trees. There must be many more. I do not ever recall seeing these nests along that trail this time of year. I think Read more…
Sightings
August sightings of note
Hummingbird Clearwing Moths are regular visitors at the phlox in our garden. Gwen Forsyth, Lakefield Your column several weeks ago regarding Gypsy Moths really caught our attention. We have a cottage on Jack Lake and recall the infestation back in the 1970s. This past several weeks our cottage there have Read more…