Discover Southern Ontario Blog
Welcome to the updates on the goings-on in Southern Ontario
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We are currently receiving many submissions to our website and have quite a backlog. Your chances of being published quickly are greater if you are able to include a picture with your animal sighting report.
Home Exchange Vacations
Here in Southern Ontario winter is just starting, and this is the perfect time to think about your next vacation! Have you thought about a Home Exchange? This way of vacationing is gaining popularity world-wide
High School girls get morning flyby
Red Tail Hawk flew over us as we were getting into our vehicle at 8:00 am, the Hawk was also sighted by a group of young girls the day before, seen sitting
Wolves Howling - St. Catharines, Ontario
We recently just moved from Port Dalhousie where dozens of times we saw coyotes and the coywolf just trotting down the middle of the sidewalk, mid-day
Prints in Tamworth Ontario
Does anyone know what these prints could be from? They were found in our backyard near Tamworth, Ontario. We set up a trail-cam but haven't seen anything
Arden, Ontario
Typical of many small Ontario towns founded in the mid 1800's - largely by descendants of the United Empire loyalists who moved north from settlements
Summer fun at the African Lion Safari
Located near Rockton, Ontario, the African Lion Safari has always been an annual excursion for our family, especially when we have visitors from Europe staying with us. The African Lion Safari park is about an hour from Toronto and from London, half an hour from Hamilton and Kitchener, so it is easily accessible from the east or west.
The Rose Breasted Grosbeak
Southern Ontario is part of the breeding range of this bird, although they spend their winters in Central America and the Caribbean.
Coyotes
I saw lots of Coyotes at Confederation Park and Red Hill Conservation belt. They are very common there and not very shy, unfortunately. Yesterday, I
Native Canadian Art
Artists in any country, whether in the Old World, or the New World, have for millennia used the elements available to them in Nature, as inspiration and as the medium for their art, and our First Nations Artists are no exception. The desire to decorate and beautify their environment is strong in all peoples ...
The Hummingbirds are on their way!
If you see Hummingbirds in Ontario, you can be sure they are members of the Ruby Throated variety (Archilochus colubris) as they are the only species native to Eastern Canada. With one of the longest migration paths of any of the hummingbirds, these tiny birds fly south each Autumn to reach their wintering areas in Mexico and Central America.
St Thomas Real Estate
Are you considering moving to the London - St Thomas area? The price of property here is much less than in Toronto and Kitchener, so whether you're looking for a new home, or for investment property, consider friendly St Thomas!
Frequently asked Questions - FAQ about life in Southern Ontario
Frequently asked questions about Southern Ontario and life here, climate, immigration, housing
Continue reading "Frequently asked Questions - FAQ about life in Southern Ontario"
Wolf Sightings across Ontario
Melissa from Milton, Ontario, wrote to tell us of her Wolf sighting ..... Walking my two little dogs this morning down at mill pond Milton, Ontario, around
Spring has sprung!
Spring is a great time to enjoy the area beauty spots, when tourist attractions are quieter and you can spend time outdoors enjoying the longer days and mild weather.
Stratford, Ontario
Stratford, Ontario, is home to about 30,000 people and each year around 600,000 visitors are drawn here to enjoy the Shakespeare Festival, which is the largest classical repertory event in North America.That's a lot of tourists in a town that size, but Stratford welcomes them all and treats them well!
The Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird is a medium sized member of the Thrush family which can be found in the woods, orchards and farm lands of Southern Ontario.Their numbers have increased in the past few decades, after this pretty bird was in serious decline in the mid 20th century.
Wolf sightings across Ontario
Several readers wrote to tell us about their Wolf sightings this past winter ...
The majestic Bald Eagle has made a comeback in Ontario
Protective legislation was introduced in 1890 and the Bald Eagle Act in 1940 and these helped to set the stage for a recovery in their population. The use of the pesticide DDT and pollution by PCB's almost led to the extinction of these beautiful birds, and in 1980 there were almost no chicks surviving in the three remaining active nests along the Lake Erie shore in Southern Ontario.
Continue reading "The majestic Bald Eagle has made a comeback in Ontario"
Coyotes in Canada
Coyotes have adjusted well to living in close proximity to humans. They are generally cautious, shy animals and would prefer to avoid confrontations with people. Some people consider them to be a nuisance and have tried to trap and relocate them, however they are extremely intelligent and almost impossible to live trap.
The Mennonites in Ontario
The beliefs of Mennonites are that they are to follow the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ, which they held onto firmly despite being persecuted by various Roman Catholic and Protestant states.They are known as people of Peace Churches as thy would rather flee a country than fight for their rights, or be forced to fight for that country, as they are committed to non-violence.Today, there are 1,500,000 Mennonites around the world and there are congregations world-wide.
Backyard birds of Ontario
Bird Watching is a fascinating hobby, enjoyed by young and old alike, and all that is required is a quiet spot to observe the birds and a pair of binoculars and a Bird book, such as the Peterson Guide or other field guide to help you identify the birds you see.
Attracting wild birds to your garden or back yard can also be interesting when you choose which plants and shrubs attract various birds.
The North American Badger
Today, these animals are so rare in Ontario, that experts think there may only be 200 of them remaining in the wild, and therefore they need our protection.
Executive Home for Sale - St Thomas
This 6 bedroom home on 9.8 acres, with pool, hot-tub & river, is on the market! If your family enjoys an outdoor lifestyle, this home may be for you! Your money can buy so much more in St Thomas, Ontario! This home is listed at $869,900 ...
Possum in Tiny Ontario
First time he saw this guy he was under the barbecue. When we shook it he played dead as apparently they do. Second night he came right back to the
The Great Horned Owl
In this area, these birds nest in trees, both deciduous and coniferous, often in mixed forests and sometimes in urban areas.
Local Maple Syrup ... mmmm delicious!
Each morning in early spring, as the sun warms the trees, the system of vessels in the mighty Maple trees begin to raise sap up to the tree's uppermost branches, and in the evening the sap returns again to the roots of the tree where it is stored overnight ...
Big female Snowy Owl on my barn
47 years later finally see my first wild Snowy! This large female seems to have found a regular perch top my barn. Not the greatest pics/vid yet but
Albino Rat
My wife Lori spotted the Albino Rat sitting on neighbour's fence in back yard. In the middle of winter and middle of the day. Beautiful downtown Lakefield.
Eastern Screech Owl
We live on a farm one hour north of Toronto. We have heard an owl calling many times in the evening. My husband noticed a lot of bird droppings on
Why London, Ontario, is a great place to live
Why London Ontario is a great place to live, submitted by one of our readers - thank you Philip Pasma.
A diverse and growing downtown core provides a multitude of restaurants and bars that are both family and nightlife friendly. A wide assortment of eateries ensures that whatever your tastes may be, London has something to satisfy ...
Continue reading "Why London, Ontario, is a great place to live"
Coyote, Dog or Wolf? You tell me!
Not much of a story, this was captured on a trail cam near Port Burwell Ontario. This cam captures lots of wildlife but it's the first time I've seen
Observation of an osprey in flight
First of all I must, as a measure of a truthful disclosure to anyone who reads this, say that everything I am about to disclose is absolutely the truth.
Peregrine Falcons in Oshawa
I’ve been seeing these guys a lot this week. It is usually in the mornings (7:40 am) and yesterday around 2:30 - 3:00 pm. This morning I saw the pair
Peacocks
My husband and I live just outside Hastings Ontario and have lived here for 7 years now, and till August 4 this year have never seen a peacock, never thought
What is this bird?
This guy landed on the 7th floor windowsill at the downtown courthouse this past week, for a visit. Can you please tell me what it is? Perhaps one of
The Raucous Blue Jay
The Blue Jays come to our bird feeder all year long and I love to hear their noisy call ... they let the other birds know when there are hawks flying around, they are like Mother Nature's early warning system ...
Big Cats seen near London
Bibi from Belmont reported ... I had just brought our dogs in from a run in the side field, when I decided to go out and watch the sunset. Just before
The Chickadee
The cheerful call of the Chickadee is a welcome sound in the winter months as these little birds visit our bird-feeder. They are year-round residents in Southern Ontario, but we see them more often in the winter.
Possums spotted in Ontario
Marion from Shelburne wrote to say ... We were driving along highway 89 about 10 km west of Shelburne when we saw the Possum crossing the road very slowly.
Stoney Creek
This morning our indoor cat has been sitting on out windowsill watching something outside. Just determined, we have a possum scrounging through our recycling
Red Tailed Hawk sightings
In June, Cindy from Scarborough wrote to say ... I work at a small Non-profit Housing Co-op in Scarborough, ON (located at Markham Rd and Blakemanor Blvd).
Red Tail Hawks - East York
I have a pair of Red Tailed Hawks that built a nest in a large fir tree nearby my house. Everyday I see them fly back and forth with small twigs for the
Snowy Owls across the area
Abraham Draycott from Cavan, Ontario, said ... I was walking the dogs on a trail system through the Cavan swamp and two days in a row I scared something
Molly Joy's granddaughter, Molly. Sandra Joy's daughter
I am so grateful to have found this site. I have no words at the moment. All I can do is cry. Great grandparents were Pringle's.
Continue reading "Molly Joy's granddaughter, Molly. Sandra Joy's daughter"
Big Cat in the Kawarthas
Its interesting to read recent comments as a lot online is quite old and my experience was this past summer. In 2015 I found a massive cat print in mid-May
Face to face with a Coyote
Patti from Brantford wrote to say ... In the past, I have seen sightings of them in the fields, saw traces of their scat and noticed their tracks in the snow, but I never expected to see one resting directly in front of me along the path!
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Home for sale in St Thomas, Ontario
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Thank you!
