20th Annual Petroglyphs Butterfly Count: The compiling of the July 21st butterfly count is finally finished and final results have been submitted to the North America Butterfly Association. A total of 55 species were recorded, slightly above the average for the last few years. The Indian Skipper found in the Park Read more…
Motorists need to slow down and watch out for these increasingly rare travelers. I have always had a special fondness for turtles. As a child, I loved nothing more than catching, feeding and then releasing these ancient reptiles. They were no less than my gateway drug to a lifelong love Read more…
This year we’ve had at least four Painted Turtles which all came up late afternoon on June 9th. We covered over three possible nest sites, though one is never sure if eggs have been deposited. One unknown nest excavated in a grassy slope has been raided. And for the first Read more…
All eight species of Ontario turtles are now designated as at risk With the arrival of June, turtles are once again on the move. Unfortunately, this migration often involves a hazardous trek across busy roads and highways. Clearly, a turtle’s shell is no match for the crushing weight of a Read more…
This morning, May 17, I spied a tiny Painted Turtle on our paved path, very slowly making its way to the river. This is the first time we’ve had an overwintering hatchling. As I was taking it down to the river on my hand, it remained quite motionless unlike previous Read more…
Ontario is home to eight different species of turtle. Seven turtle species have been designated as Species at Risk. Three species of turtle (in bold) are found in the Jack Lake watershed. Status of Ontario turtles Blandings Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) Threatened Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) Extirpated Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys 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…
Today, May 16, I saw two tiny Painted Turtles (hatchlings) on the Trans-Canada Trail east of the bridge at Lily Lake in the west end of Peterborough. Sophie Monkman Note: Baby Painted Turtles hatch out of eggs in the fall but don’t actually emerge fromj the ground until the following Read more…
I was riding on the trail today in Jackson Park near the new bridge and helped move some baby turtles from the trail to the banks of Jackson Creek. They were about the size of a loonie and covered in mud. I think they were baby ‘snappers.’ Isn’t this early Read more…