On May 15, I took these pictures of a beautiful Red-headed Woodpecker that is coming regularly to the feeder behind our house. The bird has visited my neighbours, as well. On May 17, I noticed a beautifully patterned bird fly over and land in the tree and I didn’t know what it was. Binos confirmed it was once again the lovely Red-headed! Sandra Poytress, Orange Corners, City of Kawartha Lakes

Red-headed Woodpecker (Sandra Poytress)

Today, May 13, I saw this “not so rosey” Rose-breasted Grosbeak in our neighbour’s tree. I also saw a partially leucistic American Robin on the way to Hooten Drive near Peterborough. Trudy Gibson

On May 2, in the northwest corner of Cavan-Monaghan Township, we were out walking our dog, Mandy, on our perimeter farm trail. All of a sudden, we saw a very large, tawny cat break cover in one of the back fields about 100 yards to the north of us. It ran to the east towards the next property. We knew it was a cat because of its running gait. In fact, the only animal it could have been was a Cougar. It was incredibly exciting. Our dog ran after it…about one field behind! Darienne McAuley

Cougar (Wikimedia)

The Kawartha Camera Club had a “Bird Nerd” outing yesterday, May 3. We visited Ecology Park, Meadowvale Park, Lock 25 and Lakefield Marsh. Here’s some of our sightings. Carl Welbourn


Drew Monkman

I am a retired teacher, naturalist and writer with a love for all aspects of the natural world, especially as they relate to seasonal change.