July is a great time to get to know these beautiful insects. My special affection for butterflies began as a classroom teacher. Each September, I would collect monarch caterpillars for my students to raise. They would watch and document each stage of metamorphosis with rapt attention. We were often able Read more…
We have a sweet smelling Abelia shrub that is proving to be very popular with the insect population. Visitors this month include our first and so far only Monarch, a Black Swallowtail, a White Admiral, and two hawkmoths, including the Hummingbird Clearwing and the Nessus Sphinx, the latter new to Read more…
I got a picture of this Giant Swallowtail butterfly today (August 1, 2016)), a species I had never seen before. So again, something unusual has popped up at Curve Lake! I did some reading and these butterflies are moving northward. Reports thus far say that they are now found at Read more…
I saw my first Giant Swallowtail of the year in the garden today, hovering around the phlox. I checked the dill plantation but there were no larvae. No Monarchs have been seen. Bill Snowden, Ennismore Note: I saw my first Giant Swallowtail today, too, just east of Havelock. Giant Swallowtails Read more…
I went out early both Saturday and Sunday (June 18 and 19, 2016) on Lower Buckhorn lake and took these pictures. Robin Blake
The Kawarthas is home to at least 100 species of butterflies, 135 kinds of dragonflies and damselflies and a thousand or more different moths. Learning to identify the more common species is a great way to connect to the natural world around us and get kids interested in nature. Butterflies Read more…
About two weeks ago, in the northeastern part of Peterborough County, I saw the following species. APRIL 14: Hubble Road – 3 Eastern Comma butterflies; Sandy Lake Road – 1 Eastern Comma and 1 Mourning Cloak. APRIL 15: Charlie Allan Road – 6 Compton Tortiseshell; Galway/Cavendish Forest Access Road – Read more…
We returned to our home on Dodworth Island on Stony Lake on Monday and immediately filled the four feeders. The activity is the most ever….We have 10 usual species but two things stand out. There are no Common Redpolls, but we have over 50 Pine Siskins. At least one Osprey Read more…
While doing volunteer work for the Kawartha Land Trust today (June 7), west of Pontypool, I saw a Silver-bordered Fritillary, a couple of duskywings, a Little Wood Satyr, a Common Ringlet and a Question Mark. Michael Gillespie, Keene On Friday June 5th Colin Jones and I saw a fresh Giant Read more…
On May 30th, on my way to Stoney Lake, I saw my first Giant Swallowtail of the season as it flew across the road in front of me on County Rd #46 between Round Lake Rd, and Church Rd north of Havelock. Seems to be right on time for first Read more…
There was a large increase in the number of butterfly species today (May 26). Jerry Ball and I walked the Trans-Canada Trail from County Rd 38 to Blezard Line and saw 21 species as follows; Clouded Sulphur 43, Silvery Blue 69, Red Admiral 6, Dreamy Duskywing 5, Northern Spring Azure Read more…
Many Spring Azure butterflies hanging around the dogwoods in my yard. American Lady laying eggs on the Pearly Everlasting and a Red Admiral checking out the nettle. These butterflies really go for their host plants, so we try to plant as many as we can and it works! Blair Hamilton, Read more…
Bob Prentice and I visited the northeast of the County and found five new butterflies for the year – Gray Comma, Northern Spring Azure (Note: The Spring Azure in this area has now been re-classified as Northern Spring Azure, Celastrina lucia), Olympia Marble, Hoary Elfin, and Henry’s Elfin. We also Read more…
The following are my Peterborough County “First of year” sightings this month: April 3 – Pair of Eastern Phoebes calling continuously, Brown Creeper, on Tates Rd Wilson’s Snipe calling at the north end of Northey’s Rd at 14th Line of Smith. April 4 – River Otter at north end of Read more…
When I left the house yesterday, (September 3rd), and headed out to work near Norwood and then on to Stoney Lake later, I had seen a total of 59 Monarchs during this 2014 season. When I returned home at dusk last night, that total had grown to 83, (including 7 Read more…
Here at our home near Lanark, there has been another banner year for the Giant Swallowtail. It’s been almost a repeat of the season of 2013. The first generation emerged in early June and ended in mid-June, feeding mainly on Dame’s Rocket and the orange hawkweed. The second generation started Read more…
Today, we had two Monarchs visit the Buddleia in our garden. Over the past week, we’ve had a single Monarch come to the garden most days. Yesterday, there were also a Giant Swallowtail (second of the year), a White Admiral and a Red Admiral. The admirals were on the Buddleia, Read more…