Cabins, trails, and autumn calm await just an hour north of Peterborough Peterborough Examiner – September 19, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Tucked into the rugged hills of the Haliburton Highlands, Silent Lake Provincial Park offers exactly what its name suggests: a rare quiet and calm. This couldn’t be truer than right Read more
Some local road trips for the geographically-curious Peterborough Examiner – December 8, 2023 – by Drew Monkman My recent articles on the geology and landforms of the Kawarthas (Nov. 10) and on the formation of our rivers and lakes (Nov. 25) both garnered a large response. This has inspired me to propose several Read more
70 or more species can be seen locally during the winter months Peterborough Examiner – December 1, 2023 – by Drew Monkman With winter almost upon us, we sometimes need a little extra motivation to bundle up and head outside. Looking for birds can provide both purpose and interest to any outing. Yes, Read more
“In spring the moccasin flowers reach for the crackling lick of the sun…” Mary Oliver For anyone with an interest in wildflowers, June is synonymous with orchids. At least a dozen species of this fascinating plant family bloom this month in the Kawarthas, and the spectacle is not to be Read more
The pandemic has been an opportunity to enjoy spring migration at some of our great local birding destinations The news that all of Ontario’s parks, both provincial and national, would be closed this spring came as a big disappointment. A birding trip to Point Pelee and Rondeau has been a Read more
Get up close and personal to nature while reducing your carbon footprint “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best.” Ernest Hemingway Riding a bicycle can be a wonderful way to engage with nature and the changing seasons. The feeling of setting off Read more
When we debarked from the shuttle that takes birders out to the tip of Point Pelee National Park, it was clear that something was up. Hundreds of people lined the trail along the west beach, fully engrossed by the activity around them. Birds were everywhere – on the ground, flitting Read more