Discover Southern Ontario Blog
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We are currently receiving many submissions to our website and have quite a backlog. I have just undergone open heart surgery and it will take some time for me to work my way through all our new 800+ submissions.
Spotted in St Catharines
Sherri wrote to tell us that she saw two huge Turkey Vultures just standing around hanging out in the field at Trapper Leo park in St. Catharines ...
Could this be an immature Cooper's Hawk on the back deck
We saw this hawk on the back deck today. We are thinking it's an immature Cooper's Hawk but aren't quite sure. We would love to know what you all think.
Continue reading "Could this be an immature Cooper's Hawk on the back deck"
Possible Cougar Sightings
Readers from Hamilton, Hanover, Hickson, Grand Bend, Clayton, St Catharines, Burlington and Huntsville wrote to tell us of their possible Cougar sightings ...
Resident Peacock of Temiskaming Shores
Agnes spotted this on Helmer Pederson Drive, Temiskaming Shores, New Liskeard, Ontario.
Visiting Indigo Bunting
Gord wrote to say ... I was surprised that I saw this bird at our birdfeeder in the afternoon on the 24 of May, 2020.
A Family of Hawks
John from Cambridge wrote to report ... Every day at work for the last couple weeks I have enjoyed a family of hawks calling to each other and flying around. I am not sure exactly what kind of hawks they are.
Wolves Sighted
Several of our readers have written to report their sightings of wolves or wolf-like animals ...
Sighting of Turkey Vultures in the Rouge Park Area
One of our readers sighted a pair of Turkey Vultures on April 22, at 3:30 pm on the side of Beare Road between Steeles Ave E and Finch Ave E.
Continue reading "Sighting of Turkey Vultures in the Rouge Park Area"
Pea-fowl in Bracebridge
Vanessa from Bracebridge said ... I have been visited a few times by this beautiful trio of what I think are Peahens.
Snowy Owl on a fence post
I believe I saw a female Snowy Owl this morning west of Dunnville about 1/2 mile north of Lake Erie. She would not let me get too close but kept flying up the fence line and stopping every couple of hundred feet.
Is this a young Cooper's Hawk?
This immature Cooper’s hawk was pictured in Bright’s Grove, Ontario about a kilometre from Lake Huron. He/she was trying to catch squirrels jumping back and forth from a small pear tree to our roof.
Indigo Bunting Visitor
We have 2 - 4 Indigos stop at our home just north of Cobourg, to partake of our nyjer feeder every mid-May. They hang around for a few days and then move on.
Possum are everywhere
I've lived in this area all my life (50+ years) and most of it in rural areas, I've seen raccoons, deer, ground hogs, coyote, bear, fox, wolves, moose and array of others, but never possum...
Red Tailed Hawks in Toronto and Hamilton
Judy, Stephen and Gord all wrote to tell us about their Red Tailed Hawk sightings in Toronto and Hamilton ...
Spring in Ontario
Spring in Ontario arrives in late March, and lasts through April and May in this area of the country. It 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.
Migrating Tundra Swans
Readers from Paris, Dorchester, Dundas, Oro-Medonte, Oakville, Milton, Richmond, Cambridge have written to tell us of their sightings of the migrating Tundra Swans ...
Indigo Bunting
Sighted in Glencairn, Ontario, on May 30, 2020 when it flew into my window and remained stunned for a minute on the chair where I captured a picture and then it flew away.
Kincardine, Ontario
Small towns are generally friendly. You can usually find this out right on the main street of any small town - people will smile or say "hello" even if they don't recognize you.
Pelee Island
One day, when we can travel again, I plan to re-visit Pelee Island which is the home of Pelee Island Winery's vineyards, where Winery tours are available between May and October.
Peregrine Falcon sighting in London
One of our readers from London, Ontario, wrote to tell us about their recent sighting of a Peregrine Falcon ...
Delicious Maple Syrup
Each year, in late winter, just as the days are lengthening and the snow is melting, something wonderful happens deep underground. Each morning, 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 ...
Lynx Sighting
March 15, 3:00-ish pm. Odessa, Ontario. Out my back window on the other side of the river, about 400' away.
The Garter Snake
They are often called "Garden Snakes" and are known in the UK as "Grass Snakes" - they are harmless to humans and are often found on lawns and gardens. Soon they will be waking up from their long hibernation in their Hibernaculum ...
Your next Vacation could be a Home Exchange
This is an interesting idea for those who would like to visit a different part of the world, but who don't want to pay a fortune for accommodation - in other words "You stay in our house, We'll stay in yours!"
Continue reading "Your next Vacation could be a Home Exchange"
Possums in Barrie Ontario
Thanks, Paul, for your picture and comments - please tell us more - do you see the Possum during the summer months too? What does he like to eat? How big is he and how long has he been coming to your feeder?
Geese in Georgetown
One of our readers sent us some of his great pictures of Geese on the Credit River ...
Surprised by Screech Owl
Early morning walking through my gardens when I looked up and was shocked to see this beautiful face watching me.
The Common Loon or Great Northern Diver
These birds are easy to identify by their black and white plumage, with a grey head and neck, and spear shaped bill. Loons eat mostly fish, but also eat crustaceans and amphibians, including frogs, salamanders, snails and crayfish.
The Coyote in Ontario
In Southern Ontario, the howl of Coyotes is a familiar sound to those who live in the country, and to many who live in smaller cities, as they have long inhabited the outskirts of towns here. Right now it is the breeding season for Coyotes ...
Birds of Prey
We live in the southwest corner of Toronto, a solid golf shot from the Lake, and have plenty of birds in the area, including spottings of peregrines and red-tailed hawks.
Mallard Ducks
The Mallard is easily recognized and is probably the best-known of all ducks. It is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate areas of Canada, and is also widespread throughout North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.
Cooper's Hawk in Kitchener
We saw a male and female mate today in Kitchener Ontario, on Silverspring Crescent! We then saw the female fly to her nest on that street and the male finished eating a smaller bird he had caught!
Waverly Woods sighting
As we meandered the public trails at Waverly Beach Woods in Ontario Canada, where the old ruins of a theme park lay, with dirt trails, tall mainly deciduous woods ...
Why London, Ontario is a great place to live
Whether you are looking for a thriving downtown, up and coming business opportunities or neighbourhoods to raise a family, London, Ontario is the place to start. Its central location allows for quick access to surrounding major cities, think Toronto and Detroit, as well as throughways for major highways, 401 and 402. These attributes have given London a major advantage in its ability to offer big city amenities while maintaining small town feel.
Continue reading "Why London, Ontario is a great place to live"
Bald Eagles on the water
Several of our readers have written to tell us about their Bald Eagle sightings ...
Cooper's Hawk in Woodstock
This report was sent to us a year or two ago, the picture is beautiful - thank you Jeff from Woodstock!
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.
Some of the Communities in Southern Ontario
Are you considering moving to one of Ontario's pretty communities, or considering relocating your family in Canada? Perhaps you are looking for a place near the beach or countryside for a family holiday or honeymoon? It is wise to learn all you can about the various places, before you decide to move here.
Continue reading "Some of the Communities in Southern Ontario"
Wolves in eastern Ontario
One of our readers from Eastern Ontario, sends us this report - Once while driving on Hwy 17 between Hawkesbury and the 417, I saw a Wolf waiting to cross the highway, it was standing beside the road shortly after dusk ...
Long-eared Ows spend Winter by York University
The Owl was accompanied by its partner (presumably a male and female) and became residents of the small patchy forested areas adjacent to York University. On successive Night-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 Ows spend Winter by York University"
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