Sightings

It must be a finch winter if I’ve got a single, singing male Pine Grosbeak in my impovershed back yard. Location: Thomas A. Stewart High School area, Armour Rd. Observer: Sean Smith

At 10 a.m. this morning, there were at least six Pine Grosbeaks feeding in Balsam Firs and a Tamarack, two houses south of 51 Maple Cres. They were making their gentle whistling call all the while. Location: Maple Cres., Peterborough Observer: Drew Monkmman

A client of mine had a Red Bellied Woodpecker show up a couple of winters ago at her feeder, then last year it stayed around all year. This year he had a mate and they stayed together all summer at her feeder and she thinks they were nesting in the Read more…

For about a week now we’ve been getting about 10 Evening Grosbeaks to our bird feeder, in Cavan. Location: Cavan Observer: Cassielynx

Yesterday morning, perhaps 75 Bohemian Waxwings were in our backyard. I had never seen even one before. They were after the berries on the flowering crab tree. Location: 244 Patricia Crescent, Peterborough Observer: LInda and Lowell Lunden

This morning there was an Eastern Phoebe in my backyard. Luke Location: Benson Ave., Peterborough Observer: Luke Berg

Today, from 3:00 – 3:40 pm my co-workers and I observed a Peregrine Falcon sitting on the SW corner of the MNR building (300 Water St). During this time it perched for about 20 minutes, then took off flying West and picked off a Rock Pigeon from a roof top Read more…

Tonight at about 6:30 there were two American Woodcocks at the Harold Town Conservation Area. Location: Harold Town Conservation Area Observer: Luke Berg

Yesterday the Carolina Wren that has been coming to my feeder periodically for the past year and a half was at my feeder again. Location: Benson Avenue Observer: Luke Berg

There are currently a dozen Evening Grosbeaks (2 males) on my feeder in Lakefield, along with Pine Siskins, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Juncos, and White-throated Sparrows. Location: Highway 28, Lakefield Observer: Tony Bigg

I spotted a Tufted Titmouse at our bird feeder today, a week after I started feeding for the winter. I was able to get a number of close-up pictures. It only stayed for a week. I do hope it moved south, as opposed to sadder results. It was a pleasure Read more…

I am very excited to report the pair of Bald Eagles is back to Hamilton Bay. I just noticed them on the tree limbs by the nest the osprey occupied this summer. So, I suspect the eagles are claiming their nest back! Location: Stony Lake Observer: Nan Campbell

A lone 1st winter Snow Bunting was on the beach at the Lakefield campsite this afternoon. A Northern Harrier was flying over the marsh. Location: Lakefield Marsh Observer: Tony Bigg

A lone Trumpeter Swan has been swimming close to the east shore for the last four days, including today. It is on the west side, along the river across from Kent’s Bay. There have been no other swans since early August. Location: Otonabee River at the south end of Kent’s Read more…

I have had 80-100 Pine Siskins at my feeders for the past 3 days as well as juncos and white crowned sparrows. Location: Kawartha Hideway on Buckhorn Lake Observer: Jane Philpott

A mature Northern Goshawk landed on a low bough on a White Pine behind our cottage today, causing a flock of juncos to flee in all directions. Location: Dodworth Island, Stony Lake Observer: Rob Welsh.

Yesterday and today, there has been a beautiful stag Elk in the first open field (W side) on Douro 8th Line just south of River Road. Huge antlers! He is wearing a tag #129 in his right ear. Apparently this animal has been seen in a number of locations in Read more…

Strong winds seem to have brought in a lot of birds today, with at least a dozen Pine Siskins showing up at the feeder. Most of the White-throated Sparrows seem to have departed. The Fox Sparrow is still present, however. Location: 51 Maple Crescent Observer: Drew Monkman

Today, two White-crowned Sparrows joined the dozen or so White-throats that are coming to the niger seed I spread on the ground below our feeders. Location: 51 Maple Crescent Observer: Drew Monkman

After returning from a vacation today, I decided to head to the Lakefield sewage lagoons for some local birding. The ponds had good numbers of ducks, including the following: Gadwall – 2 Mallard – 3 American Black Duck – 1 Lesser Scaup – 98 Common Goldeneye – 16 Bufflehead – Read more…

Today at 6:00 p.m at the Holiday Inn waterfront, there was a single Long-tailed Duck. Location: Little Lake Observer: Randy Smith

This evening I was walking my dogs along the rail trail section that runs northwest off Lily Lake Road, just West of Stockdale Rd. in Peterborough from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM and saw the following: Rusty Blackbird 1, Swamp Sparrow 3, and a Wilson’s Snipe. There were also hundreds Read more…

Today, I had six Trumpeter Swans (2 adults and 4 juveniles) land on my pond just east of Bethany. They were very friendly until they found I had no food. I convinced them to come closer with quiet talk and ‘kissy’ sounds. Location: Bethany Observer: Paul Anderson

Today I had a Rough-legged Hawk fly over on Stoney Lake. It was being harrassed by a Common Raven. Location: Viamede Resort, Stoney Lake Observer: Martin Parker

Today, I had a cold-riddled Osprey on the Indian River. It was -4 C last night. Location: Indian River, Rock Road Observer: Peter Armstrong

At noon today, near the campground washrooms at Beavermead, I observed late, single Am. Redstart (female plumaged) and a N. Parula, amongst a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Hopping amongst the pots in the tree nursery section of Ecology Park were 2-3 Hermit Thrushes. A shy drake Wood Duck was in Read more…

Today I had a bull Elk in my hay field. Location: Sixth Line of Asphodel Township Observer: Jake Fell

Today, we had 7 Eastern Bluebirds all taking a bath at once in our garden birdbath. Location: David Fife Line, Keene Observer: Michael Gillespie

On the walk home this afternoon, I had 2 Swainson’s Thrushes near London St. bridge/ near Ross St. eating Common Buckthorn berries. Location: London Street Foot Bridge Observer: Sean Smith

White-throated, White-crowned and Song Sparrows continue to give feeble renditions of their songs-as do Ruby-crowned Kinglets. I think this is more adults experiencing similar daylight hours to early spring, aka reproductive (or testicular), recrudecence, as opposed to juveniles ‘practicing’ their vocals? In late September I even had a Song Sparrow Read more…