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March 10th, 2010
Archived Sightings
September 15, 2007 - Just west of Cambray - Many Sandhill Cranes
September 15, 2007 - Cambray Area - Juvenile Black-Crowned Night Herons
September 22 and 23, 2007 - Friday and Saturday nights at Balsam Lake our campfire singalongs were augmented by the bugling of Sandhill Cranes as they moved southward - a strange and wonderful sound in the end-of-summer darkness. A morning hike along the Victoria Rail Trail north of Fenelon Falls, Sunday, yielded vireos (mainly Blue-headeds). There were also a lot of Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the mix, several Fox Sparrows (my first ones of the fall migration) and scores of White-throated sparrows accompanied by a few White-crowns. I also flushed a group of 5 Ruffed Grouse (family?), a Pileated woodpecker and a Green Heron. Ron Fleming, Newmarket
September 24, 2007 - Sunday night, from 2:00am - 3:00am, I was serenaded by two Great Horned Owls, calling to each other in the trees along McLaren's Creek in the Pleasant View Park at Hwy 35 and Peniel Rd, Lindsay. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay
October 5, 2007 - early birder day, we saw an eastern meadowlark,american bittern,and a dunlin and we heard a virginia rail. Tim Brophy, Lindsay
November 5, 2007 - At 8:30 AM there was a magnificent buck deer standing on the side of the road, just above the first curve on Hwy 6 to Dalrymple. Went to a workshop for Carden Conservation and took the scenic route home, along Alvar Road and down Wylie Rd where we saw a Ruffed Grouse, a flock of Snow Buntings and found a huge patch of bittersweet. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay.
November 10, 2007 - there were several large flocks of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS throughout the village of Bobcaygeon. They are searching the area for food like they are elsewhere. I watched a flock of 150+ devouring juniper berries on Navigator's Trail in Port 32 .There are 9-12 PINE GROSBEAKS regularly seen on the tops of the Norway Spruce where a few cones from last year remain at 177 Anderson Line 1 km. west of Hwy 49 and 2 kms.north of Bobcaygeon. EVENING GROSBEAKS show up at the feeders there irregularly and REDPOLLS can be heard flying overhead almost every day. We had two RED-TAILED HAWKS on Anderson LIne all afternoon today. John Bick
November 26, 2007 - It is not that unusual to see a Pileated Woodpecker in the forest but on the walk to work yesterday morning I saw one in the city (here in Peterborough) flying among street trees in the Armour Rd/Parkhill Ave. area. This is adjacent to the Otonabee River valley and parkland so I'm wondering if it is making its way up and down the riparian valley. Doug van Hemessen
November 26, 2007 - I spotted a peregrine falcon sitting on top of a silo on the north side of the road in between Fowlers Corners and the town of Omemee. It sat and watched as a flock of pigeons scattered from the farm yard. This is located on Highway 7 as you come up the big hill from Fowlers Corners. There is a big cattle farm with two silos and a radio/cell phone tower next to it on the north side of the road. Mike Blom
November 28, 2007 - A Gray Catbird was identified today lingering in the backyard at 78 Clifton Street, Fenelon Falls. The owners are receptive to visitors. Many Common Redpolls are now showing up at feeders in the area north of Sturgeon Lake. Today at 177 Anderson Line north of Bobcaygeon, I had over 30 crowding out the American Goldfinch.The solitary Pine Sisken did not budge. I had best stock up on Niger Seeds.At the same time, I had a Northern Cardinal and male Pine Grosbeak sharing our platform feeder, something I have never seen before..talk about North meeting South. John Bick
December 17,2007 - A group of 40 turkeys were walking single file along the side of our road just after the plow went by as though they had been waiting for it. They crossed over our driveway and proceeded to another plowed laneway remaining in single file the whole time. Eric Davis, Woodville
December 18, 2007 - Six male and two female cardinals were availing themselves of our feeder today all at the same time. However, the females were kept to the periphery of the seed scattered on the ground. Eric Davis, Woodville
December 25, 2007 - Just after midnight, there was an antlered animal on our lawn and a strange red glow permeated the night.Eric Davis, Woodville
January 13, 2008 - After a long spell of recent cold and then mild, rainy weather with next to no birds visiting my feeder, I was treated to a bit of "eye candy" with the visit of a splendid male House Finch and a male Brown headed Cowbird. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay
January 24, 2008 - Two Goldfinches were feeding on my Niger feeder yesterday. Haven't had them since the big snows arrived. The male Brown Headed Cowbird is still an occasional visitor. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay
January 31, 2008 - We just had a group of 30 cedar waxwings in our yard this morning. I can't ever remember having them here in January! Karen Anderson, Lindsay
February 3, 2008 - On my way back from fishing at Miner's Bay I came into Lindsay and there was an adult Northern goshawk flying over the baseball diamonds by highway 35. Mike Blom, Lindsay
February 28, 2008 - A male cardinal was singing and then attacking his reflection in the side-view mirror of the car. It suggests spring is possible! Eric Davis, Woodville
March 2, 2008 - 5 pairs of Pine Grosbeaks came to the mixed seed in 3 areas on the ground outside our diningroom window. They snubbed the corn and millet, preferring the oil and sunflower seeds; they're not called 'Grosbeaks' for nothing! Brian and Anne Barbour, Coboconk
March 6, 2008 - There were 7 crows harassing a Northern Harrier this afternoon near the college in Lindsay. First harrier of the year for me. Mike Blom, Lindsay
March 9, 2008 - After the big dump of snow last night I observed a second year Cooper's hawk sitting in a maple on Glenelg St. this morning. It made a pass at some pigeons before gliding between two houses. Mike Blom, Lindsay
March 10, 2008 - While outside this evening I observed a small bird land in the old maple across from my house. I started tooting like a saw-whet and the bird came in and landed in the norway spruce in my neighbour's yard. It was indeed a northern saw-whet owl. What Luck!!! Mike Blom, Lindsay
March 13, 2008 - First mourning doves of the season appeared today at the feeder. Eric Davis, Woodville
March 25, 2008 - On my way home from class I saw a merlin with a crow on either side of it at the top of an aspen. It then flew into the scott's pine plantation. Mike Blom,
Lindsay
March 27, 2008 - A grackle, song sparrow, red-winged blackbird and fox sparrow arrived today at my feeder. Dumb birds! Eric Davis, Woodville
March 27, 2008 - Over the past week, there have been several European Starlings gobbling up the suet blocks and the poor Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers haven't stood a chance at their favourite winter food. Yesterday, a Robin arrived in the maple tree over the feeder and was eyeing what was left of the suet, but wasn't either brave or hungry enough to sample it. Flocks of red-winged blackbirds were singing their "rusty hinge" song from the tree tops and a Killdeer was calling from the field behind the street just north of my house. Today, the suet vanished, as great hoards of Starlngs, a couple of Red Wings and a Common Grackle all scrapped over the sad remains. I think Spring has finally arrived. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay
April 3, 2008 - Today on my way in to Fenelon Falls I saw seven deer browsing on the hillside just beyond Cable Road. First live ones I've seen since moving here two years ago! Linda Howes
April 5, 2008 - Several Common Redpolls arrived yesterday and were enjoying the Niger seed. Other new arrivals included Song and Chipping Sparrows. The little Goldfinches have started to turn very yellow over the past week and are plentiful here. The treetops in the park are filled with Common Grackles and, Red Winged Blackbirds. Brown Headed Cowbirds, both males and females, are also plentiful. The cute little Chipmunks and Red Squirrels are frequent visitors and the Chipmunks have even figured out how to get up inside the hopper feeder, stuffing their cheeks with seeds. My two cotton tail bunnies are meeting beneath the feeder and there are signs of Love and Spring. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay
April 6, 2008 - We have had a pair of merlin falcons on our street since Friday. They seem to be checking out some of the big pines, so we are hoping that they will stay to nest. Karen Anderson, Lindsay
April 7, 2008 - The pair of merlins is building a nest in a pine tree at our neighbour's place. Karen Anderson, Lindsay
April 8, 2008 - A garter snake was sunning itself on our back patio today. Eric Davis, Woodville.
April 10, 2008 - Birds I saw to-day at Snug Harbour, off Hwy # 36, Lindsay. Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, Wood Duck, Mallard, Lesser Scaup, Redhead Duck, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Song Sparrow. Loreen Randall
April 17, 2008 - Took the "Scenic Tour" on a trip to and from Barrie yesterday to attend a family funeral. Saw a lone Wild Turkey in a field on Killarney Bay Road. The Ospreys are on their nests on Fenel Road at the river. No sign of turtles in the little ponds yet. On McNamee Road, a beautiful Wood Duck drake lay dead on the road. Highway #6, north of Kirkfield had lots of "little brown jobs" darting to and fro, Eastern Meadowlarks, Eastern Bluebirds, Upland Sandpiper and Tree Swallows. Dare-devil red and grey squirrels scurried over the road in front of my car. Stopped at Cameron Ranch, where Mourning Cloak Butterflies were floating on the gentle breezes and a Wilson's Snipe was calling. A stop at a friend's house in Barrie found a purple finch, singing in the treetops. On the trip home, a Ruffed Grouse laid dead on the road, just south of the turtle ponds on Fenel Road. I took a detour across Fish Hawk Road where a pair of Ospreys were basking on the tip of a submerged stump on the north side of the bridge on Fish Hawk Road, just west of Omega Rd. A pair a merlins were hunting in a field on the south east corner of Elm Tree and School Road. Just past the big bend on Cambray Road, three deer were browsing in a sunny meadow behind a plowed field on the north side. There were close to a thousand Canada Geese in a very wet field on the north side of Black School Road, east of Eden Road and I stopped to help a painted turtle, with a large but old and healing crack in it's shell, to cross the road safely. All in all, a very uplifting end to an otherwise, sad occasion. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay.
April 17, 2008 - Female redwing blackbirds returned today. Mourning cloaks in abundance AND wood frogs are creating a cacophany of sound. I guess 24 degree days in April will do that! Eric Davis, Woodville
April 19, 2008 - In the past 2 days, at 3311 Elm Tree Road, we have observed juncos, american tree sparrows, hairy and downy woodpeckers, sapsuckers, white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches, bluejays, doves, chickadees, robins, chipping sparrows, goldfinches, purple finches, a pair of cardinals, killdeer; grackles, cowbirds, starlings and red-winged blackbirds; the tree swallows have claimed their houses, the bluebirds have already built their new nest but no eggs yet; this morning we observed a pair of northern flickers performing a courtship ritual up in the black walnut tree, waving their heads back and forth at each other and displaying; an eastern phoebe is singing for a mate, and last evening we listened to a common nighthawk repeating his peent, peent call. The kestrel has taken up his post on the hydro line down the road, and a pair of mallards are on the pond behind the barn. Our neighbor phoned to report a northern goshawk attempting to snatch a red squirrel, and he also had a sandhill crane fly over. Lizz and Bill Hoyle
April 30, 2008 - On a day when a few hardy peepers were complaining about the cold, it was heartening to see a clump of marsh marigolds in full bloom. Eric Davis, Woodville
May 3, 2008 - After finishing up some work on one of the Chimney Swift Projects we went to explore a camp site for the Carden Festival. In traveling up the Victoria RD on the east side of the Carden Plain we spotted several ponds with collections of Painted turtles. To our surprise a Loggerhead Shrike passed over the road right in front of the van and landed about 40 ft away. A photo was taken to confirm, which it does, but sadly not of a quality to share here. Crossing the Alvar Rd. We had a lone turkey hen strolling along the rail fence. As we covered the Wylie Rd at a very slow pace, two more Turkey hens were flushed. And a lot of different " Brown Jobbies" kept us busy with glass and camera as they stayed out of good viewing range. Then we had a highlight of what appears to be Northern Harrier in the area of the Cabin. In the one book that shows birds in flight it is the closest we could find . I can't confirm that information in any of my other books as of yet nor on the net. The bird was about 500 ft away. The flight was that of a hawk. Robbie Preston, Peterborough. (check out Robbie's picture in the media gallery under "Birds")
May 7, 2008 - The American bittern returned today playing his version of jug band music. Also returning was the Great-Crested Flycatcher. Eric Davis, Woodville
May 8, 2008 - Today saw the return of the Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler and the Black and White Warbler. Eric Davis, Woodville.
May 9, 2008 - I witnessed an interesting event this morning as a spectacular male Baltimore Oriole landed on the rear spoiler of my car to investigate the orange signal light lens, which is almost the same colour as the bird. I think he must have thought it looked like another male and was making sure that no one else was invading his territory. Over the last couple a weeks, I have been filling my feeder with finch seed mix and have had an abundance of little birds. Chipping, White Crowned, Tree, White Throated, and House sparrows, House, Purple and Gold Finches, Pine Siskins, Cowbirds and Redwing Blackbirds and Mourning Doves are enjoying the fare. A Blue Jay stops by occasionally, but I have NO Starlings or Grackles. I also heard a loon calling from McLaren's Creek behind our park on the west side of Hwy 35 and Penial Rd. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay.
May 25, 2008 - While visiting a farm near Lakefield, I saw and was able to get identification photos of a male Indigo Bunting and a female Three-Toed Woodpecker. Tony Crocker, Photographer
May 28, 2008 - Did most of my birding this weekend between Fenelon Falls and Coboconk. Best bird was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo along Poulsom Rd., which runs east from North Line. There is a good rail trail that runs north from Fenelon Falls and crosses North Line on its way up to Burnt River and beyond. Some of the best birding (I have found) is in the first few kms north and south of Poulsom Rd. along this rail trail. Also observed and/or heard were Sandhill Crane (flying over), Green Heron, Pileated Woodpecker, Bobolink, Grasshopper Sparrow, and 14 warbler species. On the southeast side of Balsam Lake (specifically Sandy Beach Road beside the trailer park) on Saturday I had ten warbler species including a Blackburnian and a Blackpoll. Pileated Woodpeckers and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers nest here. Fenelon Falls and Balsam Lake are in the Kawartha Lakes north of Lindsay and southeast of the Carden Alvar. Ron Fleming
June 4, 2008 - As mentioned at the meeting Monday evening I took part and enjoyed being apart of the 24 hour Carden challenge. I had the pleasure of adding several new birds to my life list. The high point of the weekend came on Sunday while I was enjoying more of the
Alvar in its spring colour. I found with others the active nest of a Logger Head Shrike. A rare find. To date this year, there have been 6 sightings of Shrikes all with in 50 feet of fence lines. Robbie Preston
June 6, 2008 - I was successful this year in having Great-crested Flycatchers nest in one of my boxes. Today, with a temperature of 33 degrees C, had mom hanging out the entrance hole with her beak open. Quite a sight! Eric Davis, Woodville.
June 21, 2008 - Hello all you Birders, thought you might be interested in a recent sighting. On Thursday 19 June was driving north on Downeyville Road,just south of Tracey Hill Road and saw a Red Headed Woodpecker. On Saturday 21 June coming home from a walk at Emily Track, I saw it again in almost the same location. Derek Anderson
June 25, 2008 - For the last couple of weeks we have had a male Ring-Necked Pheasant in our barnyard and hay fields. It seems that he is quite alone as he issues his squawking calls quite regularly with which I speculate he is hoping to attract one of his kind. Early yesterday, he paraded across our front lawn giving me good looks at his brilliant plumage.I had forgotten how a pheasant's calls are followed by a whir of wings..quite a spectacle. My late father recalled how they were present in small flocks in this area north of Sturgeon Lake in the 1930s. This is likely a released bird but one wonders. John Bick, Bobcaygeon.
July 1, 2008 - Had some interesting breeding birds along Northline Road between Coboconk and Rosedale this weekend, including one Upland Sandpiper, one Blue-winged Warbler, two Clay-colored Sparrows, and several Brown Thrashers, Grasshopper Sparrows and Bobolinks. The sandpiper, warbler, and CC sparrows were on the west side of the road just south of house #1190, in the general vicinity of the cart track that runs west into the fields there. I wandered in about 15 metres to look at the warbler and, to my pleasant surprise, flushed the sandpiper. Cycling the Baseline Rd. just east of Coboconk on Saturday I had a Broad-winged Hawk, two Pileated Woodpeckers, and a moose(!). Coboconk is only about 15-20 minutes east of the Carden Alvar, where #48 meets Hwy. 35. Driving south out of Coboconk (toward Lindsay) you go up a hill (active Osprey nest on the east side of #35). To reach Northline Rd., turn left (east) at the top of the hill onto the 7th Concession of Somerville. It runs east to meet Northline Rd. Travel south about 5 or 6 kms to reach #1190. Coboconk is part of the Kawartha Lakes, an excellent area for weekend naturalists to explore. It is about 90 minutes northeast of Toronto. Ron Fleming, Newmarket
July 25, 2008 - This morning I took some time off from grass cutting and weeding to bird some of the Carden Alvar along Wylie Road north of Kirkfield. I met only one other birder the entire morning. Although the pastures were as green as they usually are in June due to frequent rains this summer, the bird activity was a definite reminder that it is late July.
It was family day on Wylie Road this morning, with a least 4 families of Eastern Bluebirds, many young Eastern Kingbirds, several Barn Swallow gatherings, 4 fledged Great-Crested Flycatchers, lots of Cedar Waxwing sampling the wild cherries and overhead at least 8 Turkey Vultures circled together.There was no sign of Loggerhead Shrike in the usual spot. Further along the road a young Rose-Breasted Grosbeak was being fed by an adult male. Plenty of sparrows were seen on the roadside or on the fence wires, including Vesper, Chipping, Song, Savannah and Grasshopper (2). At the marsh, numerous Sedge Wrens were trying to out sing one another, all in plain view as were several Swamp Sparrows. One very vocal Eastern Towhee was observed here and two others were located later. No snipe or sandpipers were located. Meanwhile back in Kirkfield, 4 Kestrels were seen honing their hovering skills. At the long swamp on Prospect Road were several singing Marsh Wrens, and one immature Virginia Rail dashed across the road. Sorry no Sora but a good mid summer outing in a very special place. John Bick, Bobcaygeon
July 25, 2008 - I spotted a Red-headed Woodpecker on Prospect Road about half way between the Lorneville Road and the Woodville Road on the west side. Eric Davis, Woodville
July 28, 2008 - My husband and I were driving from Kirkfield to Washago (road #6) (a route that I often travel) when I saw a large brown buteo sitting on a fence (just north of the liftlocks). It was brown with a lighter brown, large head, and had no markings on the head. There were white markings on the back. It seemed much larger than a red-tailed hawk which I am very familiar with. My husband was driving and he turned the car around when I pointed it out. When we got adjacent to the bird (and slowed down) it flew away (of course!). However, my husband also had a good look at the bird as it took off, and agreed that it was much larger than a red-tailed. We have since looked up in numerous books, but cannot be sure. Neither of us has ever seen a golden eagle before, and we realize that they are very rare. Has anyone else made this sighting? Thank you. Denise Jordan, Utterson
August 4, 2008 - During a casual canoe paddle from McLaren's Creek into the Sturgeon Lake marsh , we were delighted to find a pair of Trumpeter Swans, one with a tag. We also heard a Common Moorhen calling, although we were unsuccessful in spotting it amongst the dense cattails. The highlight of our adventure was the discovery of a pair a black terns with two youngsters, in the shallow marshland at the north west side of the Ken Reid Rail Trail bridge. Judy Kennedy and Wayne Jolly
August 21, 2008 - This evening while returning to Bobcaygeon from Lindsay, I had the pleasure of watching over 40 Common Nighthawks swooping over a freshly-mown hayfield at the corner of Hwy. 36 and Beatty's Road about 5 kilometres from Bobcaygeon. They were obviously finding plenty of insects to eat in preparation for their journey southward. There were also a number of Bonaparte Gulls in the first of the Lindsay Sewage Ponds. John Bick, Bobcaygeon
October 8, 2008 - Under some cloth I had used for frost protection, I found a blue-spotted salamander just hanging out! Eric Davis, Woodville
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