The geology and landforms of the Kawarthas tell an amazing story. Peterborough Examiner – November 10, 2023 – by Drew Monkman If there’s a metaphor that best describes the location of Peterborough County, it’s “sitting on the edge.” On a map, the edge is simply an irregular line running across the middle of Read more…
The Kawarthas is home to over 500 lichen species. Fall is a great time to get to know them. Peterborough Examiner – November 3, 2023 – by Drew Monkman Of all the common organisms of the Kawarthas, lichens are perhaps the most overlooked. Although they’re small, when you pay attention you’ll see them Read more…
Despite a summer of climate chaos, Pierre Poilievre is soaring in the polls without even having a climate plan Peterborough Examiner – September 22, 2023 – by Drew Monkman I recall writing an article in the 1990s about what it would take for people to really take the necessary action to protect Read more…
We’re wondering what has happened to the pair of Baltimore orioles and hummingbirds that we were providing food for and have suddenly disappeared. Both bird species arrived at our home on the lake in Bridgenorth on or about May 15 as usual. Since then we have kept sugar water in Read more…
Big change begins with small talk Peterborough Examiner – June 16, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As a dystopian orange sun rose over the Kawarthas last week and Peterborough recorded the second worst air quality in all of North America, one thing became abundantly clear: the impact of climate change has descended upon Read more…
Male cones are now releasing copious amounts of pollen. Peterborough Examiner – June 2, 2023 – by Drew Monkman In recent days, you may have noticed a mysterious dust that has descended upon your car windshield or outdoor furniture, turning surfaces a lemon colour and making puddles appear like some strange, yellow alga Read more…
They may be annoying, but they’re a crucial part of the natural world. Peterborough Examiner – May 19, 2023 – by Drew Monkman Every year when mid-May rolls around, the relative number of mosquitoes becomes a popular topic of conversation – and one not always appropriate for tender ears. If my recent yardwork Read more…
The biggest part of seeing is knowing what to expect. Peterborough Examiner – May 5, 2023 – by Drew Monkman “The world’s favorite season is spring. All things seem possible in May.”– Edwin Way Teale Although it seems foolish to talk of a favourite month, for anyone who takes pleasure in watching the seasons Read more…
Nesting season is a reminder to keep cats indoors Peterborough Examiner – April 28, 2023 – by Drew Monkman It’s hard not to have a special fondness for robins. Unlike most other birds, they treat us to intimate views of their family lives and provide a rewarding connection to backyard nature. A pair Read more…
Spring is an exciting time for nature enthusiasts Peterborough Examiner – April 14, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As we enjoy spring’s arrival, I’d like to provide a taste of some of the wonderful events in nature to look forward to in the coming weeks. Before doing so, however, let’s look back Read more…
When the world comes together for the love of birds Peterborough Examiner – February 3, 2023 – by Drew Monkman Looking for something to do over the upcoming Family Day Weekend? Consider taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) from February 17 to 20th. Participation couldn’t be simpler: Spend as little Read more…
Local Christmas counts provide a glimpse at the ups and downs of bird populations Peterborough Examiner – January 13, 2023 – by Drew Monkman How quickly winter bird numbers can change. Just a year ago, the forests, fields, and feeders of the Kawarthas were attracting large numbers of redpolls, crossbills, siskins, and goldfinches, Read more…
Looking ahead to what nature has in store this winter Peterborough Examiner – January 6, 2023 – by Drew Monkman As global heating continues, it comes as no surprise that 2022 was a warmer-than-average year for Peterborough. In fact, nine of the past 12 months registered a mean temperature higher than the 1971-2000 Read more…
Envisioning what nature protection could look like in 20 years Peterborough Examiner – December 16, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Imagination is critical to sustainable and just futures for life on Earth. Imagining a species-rich future that also meets society’s needs engages with emotions that motivate action. As the COP 15 UN Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – November 25, 2022 – by Drew Monkman This has been a particularly depressing fall for all of us who value nature and a healthy climate. As just two examples, the recent State of the Birds 2022 report has once again sounded the alarm about steep bird population losses in virtually Read more…
Trent’s TARP project engaged in long-term study of freshwater ecosystems Peterborough Examiner – November 18, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Everyone loves a good fish story. However, we learn to take them with a grain of salt. Well, there’s a fish story of a different kind happening right now on Stoney Lake and Read more…
Many discovered this pastime while stuck at home during pandemic lockdowns Peterborough Examiner – November 4, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Although the store owners themselves might feel a little sheepish saying so, the global Covid-19 pandemic provided a huge boost to the sale of bird seed and bird feeding accessories. This was Read more…
Knowing the common asters adds enjoyment to a fall walk Peterborough Examiner – September 23, 2022 – by Drew Monkman I often walk the Trans Canada Trail from the bottom of Wallis Drive up past Lily Lake to Ackison Dr. I love paying attention to what’s in bloom, what leaves are changing colour, Read more…
Personal testimonies of the emotional impact of May’s derecho windstorm Peterborough Examiner – September 16, 2022 – by Drew Monkman We rarely hear about the ecological grief (sometimes called “solastalgia”) caused by the climate crisis. Many people are still reeling from the impact of May’s derecho windstorm and the loss of beautiful old Read more…
Seeing a nesting leatherback turtle a once in a life-time experience Peterborough Examiner – August 19, 2022 – by Drew Monkman On March 30, I got a call from my friend Jason Westlake that leatherback turtles had been coming ashore to nest at Playa Gandoca on Costa Rica’s border with Panama. He asked Read more…
Costa Rica is not just about dazzling nature; it’s also about great people Peterborough Examiner – August 12, 2022 – by Drew Monkman My morning Costa Rican routine is always the same: get up at dawn, hop on my bike, and head out to enjoy the peak hours of bird activity. Invariably, an Read more…
With nesting season here, June is a perilous time on our roads Peterborough Examiner – June 10, 2022 – by Drew Monkman As I’ve written many times in this column, my love of nature began with a special fondness for turtles. As a child, I loved nothing more than catching, feeding and then Read more…
May 21 a taste of all we stand to lose by refusing to commit to action on climate change Peterborough Examiner – June 3, 2022 – by Drew Monkman The devastating reality of climate change has once again unleashed itself on Peterborough and the Kawarthas. If the 100-year floods of 2002 and 2004 Read more…
Keep your eyes and ears peeled Peterborough Examiner – May 20, 2022 – by Drew Monkman As we begin to transition from spring into summer, I’d like to provide a taste of some of the wonderful events in nature to look forward to in the coming weeks and months. Top of mind for Read more…
Another Ford majority government would be disastrous for environmental protection Peterborough Examiner – May 13, 2022 – by Drew Monkman On June 2 as we head to the polls, many voters will have the skyrocketing cost of living top of mind. The cost of everything from food to housing is approaching crisis proportions. Read more…
Two apps make finding and identifying birds simpler and more enjoyable Peterborough Examiner – May 6, 2022 – by Drew Monkman I’ve been a birder nearly all my life. For nearly all of this time, my equipment was limited to binoculars, field guides, and a spotting scope. However, beyond word of mouth and Read more…
Trees are important in fighting climate change. You can register for a free tree for your city yard. Peterborough Examiner – April 22, 2022 – by Drew Monkman As we celebrate another Earth Day, I’d like to turn my attention this week to trees and what you and your family can do to 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…
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…
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…