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July 29th, 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


  • November 5, 2008 - Early birders on a November day that felt like spring went searching for the Red-bellied Woodpecker. Unfortunately, we were not succesful on that endeavour but we did manage to spot: robin, common golden eye, bluejays, chickadees, hairy and downy woodpeckers, loon, mallards, geese, house finch, pine siskins, goldfinches, red-winged blackbirds, ring-billed gull, tree sparrow and a lifer for me, a female white-winged crossbill. Eric Davis, Woodville


  • November 7, 2008 - I enjoyed a Great Horned Owl calling at my place last evening between 5 - 7 pm. Also snow buntings were flying over - there were about 30. Leslie Dyment, Cameron.


  • November 18, 2008 - A quick trip to Rona Cashway in Lindsay turned into a delightful 15 minute delay, as I stood in the parking lot, watching a Northern Harrier performing its aerial acrobatics while hunting over the steep embankment below the exit ramp from Highway #7. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay


  • November 30, 2008 - The male Red Bellied Woodpecker is still coming to Jack Collinson's feeders at 3 Bury's Green Road. This is north of Fenelon Falls just off highway 121 (30 metres from the intersection of 121 and County Road 37 - aka Bury's Green Road). Proceed along the winding laneway past the house to a parking area and view the backyard feeders from there. The bird also goes to suet in the evergreens on the north side of the laneway. Dan Bone, the Boonies


  • November 30, 2008 - There is a hatch year male snowy owl located at the Lindsay airport. It has been there since Nov.24th and if you want to view it check around the hydropoles along highway 35. Another good spot to see it is behind Loblaws on the massive Hydro line beside the ball diamonds. I caught and banded it last thursday and it was in very good condition. Any other sightings within the Lindsay/Peterborough area would greatly assist my study of these arctic visitors this winter. Mike Blom, Lindsay


  • December 11, 2008 - It's 10:30 AM and a flock of about 30 White Winged Crossbills has just descended on the street outside my house. Quickly I slip on my coat and boots, grab my camera and walk up the street towards them. There are large white pine and spruce trees, laden with cones, on either side of the street, and as I approach them, I could hear a constant "crackling" noise in the trees. I quickly discover that, in addition to the flock, picking seeds from the snow on the street, hundreds more are feasting on the seeds in the cones in the tree tops. They were so hungry that I can walk within a few feet to take photos. Judy Kennedy, Pleasantview Park, Lindsay.


  • December 14, 2008 - At the Go Kart track just south of Lindsay Airport on the west side of Hwy. 35 at 4:.20 pm Dec. 14, a male (immature) Snowy Owl perched on a flood light on top of a light pole about 50' from the road. Robbie Preston --- Kawartha Field Naturalists


  • December 15, 2008 - I was saying to my wife last Thursday that all the usual winter birds weren't coming to the feeders as in past years and I was wondering why. That as I was reading the paper looking out at the feeders, there were about 20 pine siskins feeding and flitting about the feeders, which is a usual sight most years. I glanced up and thought a blue jay was flying through them as they scattered. It was a female merlin and it caught a pine siskin on the wing right in front of me and carried it off over the house. No wonder the birds are elsewhere this year! Tom Murphy in Fenelon Falls.


  • December 21, 2008 - Owl Updates
      • 1. Wed Dec 17- I saw the immature Snowy Owl at the Lindsay Airport from Monarch Rd. off of Thunder Bridge Rd behind the Lindsay Airport...sitting on fence post viewed between the two houses.
      2. On Thursday the 18th, Jan and I visited the Owl Woods on Amherst Island near Kingston and while we did not see as many as some birders did that day, we located one Northern Saw Whet, several Long Eared and 4 Short Eared Owls. There were many Red Tailed and Rough Legged Hawks, a Merlin and Kestrels as well as one Snowy Owl on the KFN property. 40+ Tundra Swans were in the passage between the island and the mainland . So there is lots to see there although after this latest storm the Marshall Sideroad into the Owl Woods may not be passable by vehicle.
      3. The big local news is the Northern Hawk Owl at Flynn's Corners at the intersection of 36 and 507 between Bobcaygeon and Buckhorn. I saw it high in the elm tree opposite the gas station on Friday am the 19th before the snow storm. It will likely stay there for awhile if the hunting is good. The gas station attendent said that it has been there for several days.
      Happy Shovelling AND Merry Christmas to all. See you on the 27th. John Bick, Bobcaygeon


  • December 22, 2008 - My last total for snowies observed withing the immediate vicinity of Lindsay was 6 snow's, one adult male, one adult female, one Hatch-year female and 3 hatch-year males. There is a massive almost pure black hatch-year female by the ball fields in the big field to the north, she usually hangs out on one of the small mounds in that field during the day. Mike Blom


  • December 22, 2008 - My last total for snowies observed withing the immediate vicinity of Lindsay was 6 snow's, one adult male, one adult female, one Hatch-year female and 3 hatch-year males. There is a massive almost pure black hatch-year female by the ball fields in the big field to the north, she usually hangs out on one of the small mounds in that field during the day. Mike Blom


  • December 22, 2008 - I was at Flynn's corners on Hwy 36 west of Buckhorn and saw a Northern Hawk Owl trying to keep warm. Tony Crocker (To see a picture of this owl go to Media Gallery > Birds)


  • December 26, 2008 - On Dec. 26, at 4:00 PM, a Great Gray Owl two fields west of the intersection of Cedar Tree Road and Bulmer's Road, hunting from trees at the edge of a pasture 400 metres from Cedar Tree Road (north of the road). Found by Stephen O'Donnell and Judy Arai and observed by Dan Bone and Susan Blayney. We hope to get this brownish, first year bird for the Kawartha CBC tomorrow but it is nice to have a count week sighting in the bag. Go north on County Road 121 to Cedar Tree Road and drive 4 kms east to Bulmer's Road. Dan Bone


  • January 4, 2009 - Birds seen in and around Kawartha Lakes in the first 3 days of the year: Gray jay,rough-legged hawk,snowy owl,northern hawk-owl,pine siskin,pine grosbeak,common redpoll,red-bellied woodpecker,and many other,more common,birds. Tim Brophy, Lindsay


  • January 10, 2009 - With a little effort, there is some good birding in the Bobcaygeon area this winter. Today at our feeders on Anderson Line, we had 6 Pine Grosbeak in addition to the many Pine Siskens, Common Redpolls and Goldfinch now coming regularly. Recently, we had a Northern Shrike chasing our one bewildered Northern Cardinal which escaped into the cedar thicket. In Bobcaygeon, 10 Common Goldeneye continue to fish in the fast flowing Big Bob River and a large flock of Cedar Waxwings has been seen regularly on Cedar Tree Lane. There were about 7 Purple Finch at feeders on Moon Line Road off Hwy 36 this morning. Up at the corner of Irwin and Oliver Roads some American Robins were feasting on buckthorn berries and Golden-Crowned Kinglets were located there as well. A Northern Shrike was seen on a treetop at Devitt and Lyle Roads. Flocks of Bohemian Waxwings as well as White-Winged Crossbills are around sporadically. Enjoy. John Bick, Bobcaygeon.


  • January 27, 2009 - I'm sending this message for Jim Saigeon. His daughter Mary saw a Boreal Owl!?! You go in the bush road to the cabin and the owl was in a tree just beside it. Of course, if you go off the roadway, you will need snowshoes!! Jim is going to see if he can find it today. Louise Horne


  • January 27, 2009 - Dad and I had a Barred Owl hunting at the feeder yesterday. It's been hanging about for a while. Dale Leadbeater. (To see a picture of this owl, go to Media Gallery > Birds)


  • January 30, 2009 - I saw a Great Gray Owl this morning from 8: 00 AM to 8:45 AM on Poulsom Road at the Rail Trail (found yesterday by Julie Presley). The owl moved south down the trail perching in the cedars on the east side and was hard to see if you didn't know it was there. Dan Bone.


  • February 3, 2009 - On January 31st while setup for a snowy owl along 36 north I had a fantastic view of a juvenile Pomarine Jaeger flying south toward Highway 7. The bird was only 20 feet over my truck as it headed south. First Jaeger I've seen since being in Alaska last summer. Mike Blom, Lindsay.


  • February 5, 2009 - Two robins were in my sumac trees today. I have never seen robins at this time of year at my place. Eric Davis, Woodville


  • February 10, 2009 - A Great Gray Owl has been observed near the transmission tower on Oliver's Road south of Irwin's Road in former Verulam Township north of Bobcaygeon. I found it there yesterday near dusk and again today in the cedars north of the tower around noon. Hopefully it will stay. I checked out the Northern Hawk Owl at Flynn's Corner of 507 and 36 as well today and it is still there. Not many days in one's life in the Kawarthas can one expect to see a GGO and a NHO on the same day. We still have 7 Pine and 1 Evening Grosbeak visiting our feeders at 177 Anderson Line off Oliver's Road and this afternoon I counted ( ?) a flock of about 350 Bohemian Waxwings feeding on buckthorn berries near Hwy 49. John Bick, Bobcaygeon.


  • February 13, 2009 - I have seen a Belted Kingfisher on a tree over Perch Creek on Doyle Rd, near Bexley three times this week. We also have numerous Chickadees, Chipping Sparrows, Slate coloured Junco's, Hairy and Downey Woodpeckers, White and Red Breasted Nuthatches and Blue Jays on our feeders. Jan Ridgway.


  • March 13, 2009 - First Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles appeared here this morning. Compare this to last year's date of March 27. Eric Davis, Woodville


  • March 14, 2009 - I saw a northern harrier and an american kestrel as I was driving into to Lindsay from Cambray. I also caught my first saw-whet owl for 2009 on friday night. Mike Blom, Lindsay.


  • March 14, 2009 - Sandhill Cranes were heard by Dale Leadbeater while hiking the Hogs Back.


  • March 14, 2009 - Saw my first Robin this afternoon in my backyard, Sat. Mar.14/09 location Elm Tree Rd, south of Dew Drop Rd. Leslie Gist, Lindsay.


  • March 16, 2009 - Spring is finally here in central Ontario. We have redwing blackbirds, killdeer, grackles, meadow larks and robins all over the place. Looking forward to seeing some more spring birds. Got a look at a pair of redtailed hawks mating yesterday too. Mike Blom, Lindsay.


  • March 19, 2009 - First song sparrow of the season arrived today at my place. Eric Davis, Woodville.


  • March 21, 2009 - As I was driving south on Hwy 35, a Snow Goose, following second from the lead of a long string of Canada Geese passed overhead at Country Mile Road. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay.


  • March 21, 2009 - I saw a turkey vulture today. Loreen Randall


  • March 22, 2009 - There is open water on Scugog River off River Rd south of Lindsay; Golden-eye, and Swans in the distance. Leslie Dyment


  • March 22, 2009 - A pair of Bluebirds were checking out a blue bird nest box on Ranchers Rd. in Cameron today. Leslie Dyment.


  • March 23, 2009 - I am not an expert but I am pretty sure it was a Northern Shrike not a Loggerhead on our property yesterday evening and again this evening. Jan Ridgway.


  • March 28, 2009 - On the morning of Saturday 28th March there were a pair of Hooded Mergansers on the creek at the bottom of Doyle Rd, where it joins County Rd 35. Jan Ridgway.


  • March 30, 2009 - We hadn't seen the Northern Shrike since the 23rd but there was one right outside our back door this morning. It had taken a Chickadee from round our feeders and was having lunch. Jan Ridgway.


  • March 31, 2009 - Pretty exciting stuff - I heard Chorus frogs singing today in a pond near my place. Eric Davis, Woodville.


  • April 1, 2009 - There was an American Woodcock on the verge near Victoria Road yesterday morning, March 31st. It looked a little unsteady on it's feet but by the time we had turned the car around to look more closely it had disappeared into the bush. Such beautiful, striking markings! Jan Ridgway, near Bexley.


  • April 2, 2009 - Fox sparrow, white-throated sparrow and phoebe all showed up today. Yay spring! Eric Davis, Woodville.


  • April 9,2009 - Osprey and Tree Swallows have returned to Bobcaygeon. We had 7 Fox Sparrows at our feeders today as well as some lingering Common Redpoll, Pine Sisken and American Tree Sparrow. John Bick, Anderson Line, Bobcaygeon.


  • April 12, 2009 - Lots of waterfowl today at the lagoons. Lesser Scaup 70, Ring-necked duck 60, Bufflehead 100+, Common Goldeneye 10, Black duck 2, Mallard 20, American Wigeon 100, Northern Pintail 1, Green-winged teal 100+, Blue-winged teal 20, American coot 2, Lesser Yellowlegs 1, Pied-billed Grebe 1. Among the ring-billeds and herring gulls were 6 Glaucous Gulls (3 adults, and 3 juveniles). Myles Falconer


  • April 14, 2009 - I was doing a field ID test for my forest inventory class and had 2 red-shouldered hawks, one eating a garter snake. Other observations were an eastern pheobe and a merlin. Mike Blom, Lindsay


  • April 19, 2009 - The American Bittern was chug-a-lugging today. Eric Davis, Woodville


  • April 25, 2009 - What an exciting week! Tuesday 21st April - We watched a Sandhill Crane for about 20 minutes in our meadow and on Wednesday 22nd April there was a Short Eared Owl and ¼ hr later a Marsh Hawk quartering the ground during the late afternoon. Jan Ridgway near Bexley.


  • April 28, 2009 - A male Ring Necked Duck in full breeding plumage landed on our pond this morning, . He was on his own, hung around for a while then took off. Jan Ridgway near Bexley.


  • April 30, 2009 - The Northern Waterthrush and House Wren made their first appearances in these parts today. Eric Davis, Woodville.


  • May 4, 2009 - April 26-May 3. The following birds have returned to our area in the past week: Savannah Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird, Brown Thrasher, Towhee, House Wren, Upland Sandpiper, Great Crested Flycatcher & Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler. We also have 3 Bluebird boxes with eggs and two more nests started. Wildflowers blooming: White Trilliums, Trout Lily, Barren Strawberry, Pussytoes, Dandelion, Common Blue Violet, Bloodroot, Hepatica, Dutchmen's Breeches, Virginia Waterleaf, Coltsfoot, Blue Cohosh, Bellwort, Wild Ginger, Prairie Smoke (in bud). Louise Horne near Coboconk


  • May 6, 2009 - The first warbler of the year appeared today - the Black and White Warbler was doing its imitation of a squeaky wheelbarrow wheel. Eric Davis, Woodville


  • May 8th, 2009 - Today more birds have returned. They included a Wood Thrush, Nashville Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Also some beautiful butterflies - Female Black Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Mourning Cloak, American Lady, Compton Tortoiseshell, Spring Azure. Louise Horne near Coboconk.


  • May 15, 2009 - Today Kris Vande Sompel and I birded around Peterborough and Lindsay racking up 99 species in 7 hours. We had a pair of Upland Sandpipers on fence posts on Peace rd at one of the big curves in the rd when you head towards HWY#7. We then made it over to the Lindsay lagoons and found several Solitary and Least Sandpipers, plus 3 Black Terns. The best bird was a WILLET in breeding plumage. It was in the most SW pond along the skummy cattail bed. There were still a good variety of ducks present; American Wigeon, Gadwall, Blue and Green winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Lesser and Greater Scaup. We also had an American Bittern and an American Coot. Myles Falconer.


  • May 16, 2009 - A very feisty male indigo bunting visited our feeders this morning. After spending awhile voraciously eating black-oiled sunflower seeds, and going beak-to-beak with a couple of purple finches at the same feeder, he moved on to the finch feeders and feasted on niger seed; he even tried out the oriole feeder, to no avail. Last week, a red-headed woodpecker came to our feeders. He made many appearances during a 3-day visit, but we haven't seen him since last Sunday afternoon. Pictures of both of these birds are being sent to the website. Lizz Hoyle Elm Tree Rd, just east of Glenarm.


  • May 17, 2009 - Yesterday around dusk we spotted a pair of Caspian Terns among ring billed gulls on flooded wasteland south of the airport on Hwy 35. After checking out some ducks, we looked back to find them gone. We went back to the site at 8.30a.m. this morning to find them breeding. Lloyd & Maureen McEwan.


  • May 21, 2009 - Several more birds have returned this week. A Black-billed Cuckoo, Nashville Warbler, Least Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo and Oven Bird. Louise Horne near Coboconk.


  • May 23rd, 2009 - What an exciting morning! The Golden-winged Warbler, Baltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, Clay-coloured Sparrows, Gray Catbird and White-throated Sparrow have returned and along with all the birds already here the chorus of bird song was glorious. To top things off, a male Fisher came within two feet of me while he was hunting and yesterday two Moose, a yearling and a cow, were seen just a short distance from our home. Louise Horne near Coboconk.


  • May 24th, 2009 - We had a male Blue-winged Warbler and a lst generation Brewsters Warbler in our bird bath yesterday! This morning I found them feeding just a short distance away. Some other new birds were a female Redstart and a male Indigo Bunting. Unfortunately we also have Brown-headed Cowbirds. Louise Horne near Coboconk.


  • May 30, 2009 - There is a Great Egret at the corner of Colborne and HWY 35, it was seen May 29 & 30. Derek Anderson.


  • June 8, 2009 - Last week I received an email from Mary Hartley advising me of Chimney Swift she saw darting into a Chimney on the south end of the Midtown Mattress store at the corner of Russell and William Streets in Lindsay. Sure enough! Robbie Preston and I stood in the LCBO parking lot on last Thursday evening and watched a pair drop into the chimney at 9:00 PM. There were numerous Swifts flying overhead, and, as if on queue, they vanished, flying south east towards Lindsay,Glenelg and Melbourne Streets. On Saturday, I discovered an additional nest chimney on Melbourne Street. But the best news is, last evening, I discovered a very large roost of 30 or 40 Swifts in the tall chimney beside the west entrance of the church hall at St Paul's Anglican Church on Russell Street, beside the Post Office at Russell and Cambridge Streets. At about 8:30 PM, the Swifts congregated over the church and began circling the chimney. Then, they would swoop over the chimney and those who were on the correct flight path would drop into the top of the chimney, sometimes in single file, or one or two at a time. It was interesting to see them swoop down, stall over the opening and then drop down the shaft like leaves falling from a tree. Happy birding, Judy Kennedy.


  • June 19, 2009 - This morning, just as I came out into my office, the little green scarecrow ornament that I had stuck in the window box was vibrating. Soon after, a female red squirrel hopped up and started reefing off the raffia that sticks out the bottom of the shirt. She gathered up a bundle with some dead leaves and ran under my car. Too soon after, she was back, yanking on the grass again. I went out and watched her hop up and disappear into the engine. When I lifted the hood, I discovered that she was building a nest in the well over the right front spring. Squirrel Power.....Who Knew??? I removed the nest, but she was right back in there with the stuff I dropped on the ground. Eventually, I had to leave the hood up to make here realize this was not a good place to raise her family. See photos attached. "Picture 1", "Picture 2", "Picture 3". Judy Kennedy.


  • July 19, 2009 - I was walking down the roadway at the Heavy Equipment building at SSFC in Lindsay and saw at least 2 Indigo Buntings. See "Picture 1" and "Picture 2". Derek Anderson


  • September 12, 2009 - Having just joined the Couchiching Conservancy we took our English visitors for a walk round Cameron Ranch this afternoon. We saw Eastern Meadow larks, American Goldfinches and a Thrasher. In the meadow beyond the marsh, on the edge of the woods, we saw a black bear with three cubs. She spotted us watching her and all four ran off. Jan Ridgway, Doyle Rd.


  • October 10, 2009 - This afternoon, Enid Skuce, Robbie Preston and I took a walk around the Windy Ridge trail. The fall colours seen from the top of the ridge were beautiful, although not as spectacular as previous years. Enid, with her keen eye, spotted some movement in the top of an apple tree, which turned out to be a baby porcupine. It was about the size of a small cat and quite intimidated by our curiosity and our attempt to comfort him/her as it climbed almost to the top of the tree, so we retreated after a quick look at the cute little critter. We spotted what appeared to be a small flycatcher, flitting up and down off a branch, hunting for flying insects, as well as what appeared to be warblers, but the sun was not in our favour to allow for much more than a shape. There were also the usual blue jays and chickadees. On the way home, I decided to the long way and drove west on the Cambray road, in search of Sandhill Cranes. We headed south on Eldon Road and then East on Black School Road where we stopped the car, as 5 Sandhills flew over the road, heading in the direction of Goose Lake. We could hear a large flock calling from the south, behind a large corn field. During the next 15 minutes, They started to fly in groups of 5 to 15 or so, following the first group. We lost count after 70. Judy Kennedy, Lindsay.


  • October 18, 2009 - The Saw-whet Owl banding season usually begins around the 16-17 of September here in Saskatchewan. This year it is about 2 weeks behind schedule. I have been catching saw-whet owls since 2003 and this year they are considerably late. Normally I have about 80-100 banded by now, but just when you think you know it all, birds always seem to keep you guessing. I begin banding around 8pm and try to finish up around 3am. This year has been everything but normal and last night proved the same. When I went out to check the nets I had 8 saw-whets at 9pm. It was a very busy night and I ended it with 23 new birds banded. This beat my previous night record back in 2005 of 17 owls banded. I haven't caught any banded saw-whets yet this year but in previous years I have caught owls from northern Ontario, Alberta, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Mike Blom


  • October 26, 2009 - Last night at the saw-whet banding station conditions seemed grim. The moon was out, very bright which if some of you know means owls can see the nets. I setup around 7:30 pm and had the first 2 saw-whet owls in hand by 8:30 pm. After that everything slowed down. I don't know if it is because there are plenty of Long-eared owls hanging around looking for a saw-whet for supper or if the migration is almost over. I could hear what I thought was a saw-whet calling in the back bluff a few hundred meters away but then it came in and sat beside the net. Turned out to be this Long-eared owl which came flopping into the net and buried itself. They can mimic the saw-whet call to bring them in, probably for a meal. I was pulling it out when a second Long-eared owl hit the other net to the north of me. I ran over to grab it before it could get out but it was too late. It struggled free and flew back north towards the old windmill. This was a hatch year male and it seemed a bit under weight but had evidence it fed earlier that evening with fresh blood on its beak. I don't have much experience with Long-eared owls but it seems whenever they are around which is a lot at the start of the saw-whet season, the saw-whets dry up. Mike Blom, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan


  • October 27, 2009 - I was cutting through the old fair grounds when I saw a flock of 15-20 Snow Buntings scratching in the dirt around a big puddle. Derek Anderson


  • November 29, 2009 - Hi: We're located just off the 5th line of Smith, north of Trent U. and have just sighted a dozen sand hill cranes flying over in V formation at about 500'. We are close to the Otonabee River and they were heading in a westerly direction. Their calls were audible from the ground. A first for us. Jim Higginson, David Lee.


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