Discover Southern Ontario Blog
Welcome to the updates on the goings-on in Southern Ontario
To subscribe to our blog, so that you get updates as they happen
just click on the RSS button at the bottom of the navigation bar
.... its down there on the left.
You can also see what we're up to on our Facebook page
Discover Southern Ontario on Facebook!
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 if you have an animal sighting report.
Hawk in Oakville
I was sitting in my house I glanced out of the front window and saw people staring into my driveway. When I went to investigate I saw a Coopers Hawk sitting on top of my van.
Cooper's Hawk sighting
Mark Williams took this photo of a Cooper's Hawk on November 14th, 2019 at La Salle Park in Burlington, Ontario.
Backyard Possum in Toronto
On January 24, in Toronto, Ontario, we were sitting having a late night tea with the light on out back and saw a small opossum just sitting there munching on bird seed.
Great Canadians ... Donald Sutherland
Donald Sutherland has appeared in over 150 different shows and films starting in the mid-1960's, when he got some small parts in British movies and television, including roles in horror films such as "Castle of the Living Dead" (1964) and "Dr. Terror's House of Horrors" (1965) with Christopher Lee. He then appeared in two episodes of "The Saint" and then his big break "The Dirty Dozen" (1967) with Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine which was the first of three War films.
Genealogical Research
Besides building and maintaining this website, my other passion is genealogical research, so if you have ever wanted to trace your families roots but don't know where to start ... I can do that for you!
The Charming Chickadee
The cheerful Chickadee with it's clear call of "Chicka-dee-dee-dee" is easy to spot, as this little bird is not shy and is easily enticed to the back yard bird feeder. We see them in our garden in both Summer and Winter as these birds are non-migratory and stay in this area all year long.
Possum sighted in Quinte west
Our farm had a new visitor today - a large, shaggy possum! We live in the country near Wooler, northwest of Trenton, and this is the first possum we've seen here in thirteen years.
Unknown Bird
Jeannine observed this beauty near Dunnville, Ontario. The nest is on top of a hydro pole and it stayed very close to it's nest.
Big Cats in Ontario
Ontario is known to have populations of big cats, Lynx and Bobcat, and the occasional Cougar being sighted ...
Another visit from this bird of prey
Tiffany from London, Ontario wrote ... Please let me know exactly what kind of bird this is as I'm sure there are plenty of experts out there, but unfortunately I am not one so I can't be sure. Thank you.
Deer beside my house!
We spotted these deer outside our house recently. The pictures were taken through the window screens so the quality isn't good. I do love seeing the white tailed deer around this ...
It's Maple Syrup time!
One of the most famous Canadian tastes, is Maple Syrup! Harvested from Maple trees across Southern Ontario and Quebec this delicious treat is truly a taste of Canada - la bon sirop d'érable! Not only is the leaf of the Maple tree the emblem of our country, this beautiful tree is widespread throughout this area of Ontario.
Tundra Swan Migration
Tundra Swans are the most widespread and numerous species of swan in North America and there are two distinct populations of these birds. One is the the Eastern population and the other, the Western population.
Bald Eagles across Ontario
Readers from Collingwood, Bolton, Caistor Centre, Dundas, Port Perry, Mississauga, Chandos Lake, Georgetown, Tiny, Centre Wellington, Cape Hurd, Kingston, Seguin Township, Milton, Omemee, and Clinton wrote to tell us about their Bald Eagle sightings ...
Wolves sighted in Ottawa
Several of our readers wrote to tell us about their Wolf sightings in Ottawa. One of our readers said - I just returned from walking my dog in my neighborhood, located off of Thomas Dolan Parkway and heard a very large pack of either Wolves or Coyotes! They were excited about something. Very cool experience! I have seen a lone Wolf on several occasions in my neighborhood, either very early in the morning or at dusk. Most recent sighting was about 3 weeks ago.
Long-Eared Owl couple spend Winter at York University
N. Mosley wrote ... on successive Nigh-birding outings throughout the winter the pair could readily be found hunting around the same territory, usually perched stoically on branches and street signs watching for movement.
Continue reading "Long-Eared Owl couple spend Winter at York University"
Collingwood, Ontario - great in summer or winter
In 1858 the town was incorporated as a town and was named after Admiral Lord Cuthbert Collingwood, who was second in command under Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. Today, Collingwood is known as a resort town for all seasons, with great skiing, snowmobiling and for its close proximity to Wasaga Beach on Georgian Bay.
Continue reading "Collingwood, Ontario - great in summer or winter"
Broad Winged Hawk?
Saw this raptor perched high up in a tree in the Maple Hills neighbourhood of Waterloo. Sighting was around 9 am. I believe it's a broad-winged hawk, but please correct me if I'm wrong!
Winter is still here!
Whether you love snow or hate the cold weather, winter is on its way! Check out the winter season here in southern Ontario ...
Great Canadians ... Sir Frederick Banting
Frederick Banting was the co-discoverer of insulin for the treatment of Diabetes along with Charles H Best, his assistant, who was a medical student at that time and together they started the work which resulted in the discovery of insulin.
Continue reading "Great Canadians ... Sir Frederick Banting"
The Red Fox in Ontario
In Children's story books, foxes are often seen as cunning and sly, but in reality we know that they are shy, quite nervous and appear to be highly intelligent, but secretive.
Deer in London, Ontario
Photos by Aaron Blanshard ... thank you so much for letting us publish your pictures on this website Aaron, you have such a gift!
The Robins will soon be returning to Ontario
One of my favourite birds in Southern Ontario is the pretty Robin, with it's lovely song, which to me is one of the first signs of Spring. I think this one came back a little early!
Continue reading "The Robins will soon be returning to Ontario"
Bald Eagles on St Clair River
Wow, thank you Kai, for sending up your wonderful pictures and your report of your Bald Eagle sighting!
Two Coyotes
Jorge D wrote ... Anyone going for walks to the York regional forest, please be mindful of this and keep your pets on a leash preferably and be prepared in case you encounter the Coyotes.
Great Canadians ... William Shatner
In addition to the hugely popular "Star Trek" TV series, between 1979 and 1991, he also played Captain James Kirk in the first six Star Trek films, and directed the fifth, and in 1973, returned to the role, by being the voice of Captain Kirk, in the animated Star Trek series.
The Blue Jay
This is an unmistakable bird, both for its beautiful, bright plumage and for its noisy raucous call. These birds stay in Ontario all winter and don't migrate south. The male and female birds are of similar size, although the female is slightly smaller and both birds have a crest.
Keanu Reeves - a great Canadian!
The movie career of Keanu Reeves started after a few stage performances and a handful of made-for-TV movies, he had a supporting role in the Rob Lowe hockey flick "Youngblood", which was filmed in Canada. Shortly after production ended, Reeves headed for Hollywood and soon popped up on critics' radar with his performance in the dark adolescent drama "River's Edge" .
Is this a Red Tailed Hawk?
Terry from Brampton sent us these pictures and his report of his Hawk sighting ...
Wiarton, Ontario
Legend says that, if the Groundhog sees his shadow as he emerges from his burrow on February 2nd, then the area will have to endure six more weeks of winter - which, seeing as this is Canada, never is such a big surprise to us!
Possums are everywhere in Southern Ontario!
Sightings of Possums from Windsor, Hillsburgh, Ottawa, Waterloo, Reidsville, Bridgenorth, and Trenton from our readers.
Continue reading "Possums are everywhere in Southern Ontario!"
My new-found friend
Dave wrote ... yesterday while walking around my property in Pine Orchard, Whitchurch - Stouffville Ontario, I observed an owl which I believe is a Great Grey Owl.
Wild Peacocks near Kitchener
Mary wrote to tell us about her sighting of wild Peacocks near Kitchener, Ontario ...
Wolf - Coyote mix? Rouge Park
Saw this today. Is it a coyote-wolf mix? Thank you for sending these pictures. I don't know whether this is a Coyote or a Wolf-Coyote hybrid, but perhaps
Backyard birds and friend.
Junco, male and female Cardinal and squirrel. All stoking up for a cold Minus 22 C. night With no sparrows around, to chase it away from the feeder, I
JUNCO IN WINTER
Frequent wintertime backyard visitor. Thanks for the picture Marinus, what a cute little chap he is! We also frequently see these little birds in the
Coyote spotted
Coming back from work, approximately around 4:30 am, a coyote crossed the road in front of my car forcing me to brake. The coyote didn't seem scared and
Old Cougar sighting report
My name is Josh, I'm 23 years of age, often hiker. Two years ago I witnessed a quick sighting of what appeared to be a younger adult Cougar here in Grey
Snowy Owl seen in Woolwich township
One of our readers sent us this report ... I live in Woolwich Township. I'm an amateur photographer and after 3 years of trying to find an owl in the wild to photograph I came across this beauty! He seemed to pose for for the pictures and smile in some of them! Even though it was freezing out I spent about an hour just enjoying my good fortune in being able to be in the presence of one of nature's most majestic creatures!
What are these birds?
I am trying to find out the name of the birds that flock together on the side of the road in the winter time. Lots of people call them snow birds but I do not think that is what they are.
Ontario Wild Birds
Birdwatching has been a long-time hobby of mine, and this area of Ontario is rich with bird life - from the fleeting glimpses of Hummingbirds in the Summer, to the arrival of the graceful Tundra Swans each Spring, the birds of this area are well worth watching.
The Canada Goose
It is said that these birds mate for life, but I have heard that when one of the pair dies or is killed, the other bird will choose another mate the following year. The geese often return to the same nesting spot, year after year, sometimes even to where they themselves were hatched!
If you enjoy this website, please consider making a donation to help us continue with this site!
Thank you!
If you enjoy this website, please consider making a donation to help us continue with this site!
Thank you!
