Peterborough Ranked Seventh In Total Observations In The Country From City Nature Challenge

Peterborough’s City Nature Challenge initiative that wrapped up on April 29, exceeded last year’s community bio-blitz numbers with higher public participation, more species sighted and greater total observations logged that resulted in a seventh-place finish in the country. 

PHoto by David Tuan Bui.

In total, 2,076 wildlife observations were made, recording 577 species within the community during the four days of citizen science for the second annual community bio-blitz to record wildlife in Peterborough.  

Out of the 40 participating Canadian communities, Peterborough ranked 13th in total observations, 12th in total number of species observed and 11th in the number of participants making observations. Peterborough ranked seventh per capita for the total number of observations made during the bio-blitz, beating out nearby cities like Kingston and Toronto.

On May 6, wildlife experts completed their identification and verification of recorded nature observations gathered during the bio-blitz and submitted it to the event organizers. 

“Community events like the City Nature Challenge showcase how truly alive our city is, with wildlife in every nook and cranny waiting to be discovered,” said Councillor Joy Lachica. “Residents should celebrate that they share their homes with so many plants and animals, which makes Peterborough an extra special place to live for all.”

Peterborough's most observed species from April 26 to 29 are as follows: 

• Plant species: 31 Yellow Trout Lilies (Erythronium americanum) 

• Bird species: 25 Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) 

• Tree species: 23 Eastern White Cedars (Thuja occidentalis) 

• Fungus species: 16 Black Knot (Apiosporina morbosa) 

• Mammal species: 12 Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) 

• Insect species: 7 Asian Lady Beetles (Harmonia axyridis) [introduced species] 

• Amphibian species: 7 Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans) 

A full list of observations can be found on the Peterborough iNaturalist project page.  

The City of Peterborough partnered with the Peterborough Field Naturalists to curate guided nature walks led by Ecology and Beavermead Parks volunteers on April 26 and 27. In addition, nature-focused children’s programming was offered over the two days to excite kids about the beauty of nature found in Peterborough.  

The next City Nature Challenge is scheduled for April 25 to 28, 2025.  

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Second-Annual City Nature Challenge To Run From April 26 to 29

The second annual community bio-blitz will occur in Peterborough from April 26 to 29 as part of the global City Nature Challenge competition.

A bio-blitz is a survey that identifies wildlife with the goal of understanding the biodiversity of a location. Nature observations can be uploaded using the iNaturalist app and posted to the Peterborough project page. All the city's wild and naturally occurring plants, animals and insects are eligible as nature sightings. Wildlife observations will be tallied at the end of the competition to determine the winning community in Canada.

On April 26 and 27, the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Field Naturalists will host guided nature walks at GreenUP Ecology Park, located at 1899 Ashburnham Dr., both days from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will feature family-friendly nature walks for all residents to learn how to make nature observations while exploring the park. Walks will be approximately 60 minutes, with the first tour at 11:30 a.m. and the last at 1 p.m. Guided tours depart from the event booth at the GreenUP Ecology Park Pavilion.

Event schedule

Friday, April 26

• 11 a.m.: Opening remarks with Councillor Joy Lachica, Co-Chair of Infrastructure, Planning and Growth Management portfolio, Peterborough Field Naturalists and Dylan Radcliffe, Chair of the Peterborough Environmental Advisory Committee

• 11:30 a.m.: Walk and Talk about Pollinators with Carlotta James, Monarch Ultra

• 1 p.m.: The Natural and Cultural History of Little Lake, the Otonabee River and Meade Creek with Otonabee Conservation

Saturday, April 27

• 11 a.m.: Opening remarks with Mayor Jeff Leal

• 11:30 a.m.: Meet the Trees of Ecology Park with Vern Bastable, Peterborough GreenUp

• 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Children’s Activity Hub with Susan Chow, Trent University

• 1 p.m.: Discovering Nature in Early Spring with Drew Monkman

More information about how to participate in the City Nature Challenge is on the event web page at peterborough.ca/nature.

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Local Wildlife Photographer Dave Ellis To Release 2024 Calendars For Christmas Season

Local wildlife photographer Dave Ellis has released his calendars for 2024 depicting some of his best shots of nature taken throughout the year for the upcoming holidays.

Photo courtesy of Dave Ellis.

“It is that time of year when we start looking ahead to the coming of the New Year,” said Ellis. “Astrid and I have designed our 2024 wildlife calendars featuring some very special photographs of our Kawartha Lakes wildlife.”

The calendars have been printed locally to support Kawartha Lakes businesses according to Ellis.

There are three different calendar designs to choose from. Ellis is requesting that those interested to see a preview of the calendars or to place an order can email wildlife@eastlink.ca.

“I really enjoy sharing my photos of our local wildlife with all of you and I look forward to meeting you when we deliver the calendars,” said Ellis. “We hope you like the calendars and thank you for your support.”

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Dave Ellis: June Photography Recap

Dave Ellis is an Omemee-area wildlife photographer. PTBOCanada often features his work in our Good Morning PTBO posts, where a single shot captures a moment of time in nature.

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City of Peterborough to Operate a Community Bio-Blitz Starting Friday

Peterborough is taking part in a community bio-blitz from Friday to Monday as part of the City Nature Challenge competition, announced by The City of Peterborough on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The City describes a bio-blitz as a ‘survey that identifies wildlife with the goal to understand the biodiversity of a location,’ according to a press release. Nature observations made are uploaded using the iNaturalist app and posted to the Peterborough event page. All natural areas in the city are eligible for nature sightings.

At the end of the bio-blitz, wildlife observations will be tallied to determine the winning communities in Canada.

On Saturday, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough Field Naturalists will host a bio-blitz at Jackson Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It features family-friendly nature walks for residents to learn how to make nature observations while exploring the park. Walks will be approximately one hour, with the first tour at 9 a.m. and the last at 2 p.m., with a break at noon. Guided tours start at the event base camp booth located near the Jackson Park pond and Pagoda Bridge. Residents can also participate in wildlife surveys throughout the park.   

A tree will be planted in Jackson Park to celebrate the event as part of the City of Peterborough’s Urban Forestry program.

More information is at peterborough.ca/bioblitz.

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City of Peterborough Participating in Upcoming City Nature Challenge

The City of Peterborough has joined the City Nature Challenge (CNC), a global bioblitz competition to record nature sightings within Peterborough municipal boundaries from April 28 to May 1.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Tracking nature observations is valuable to help understand the biodiversity of local species and assists in identifying population changes over time. Many wildlife populations are at risk of declining with habitat loss being the most significant hazard impacting Ontario species.

On Saturday, April 29, an in-person bio-blitz is scheduled at Jackson Park (610 Parkhill Rd.) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City is partnering with the Peterborough Field Naturalists to lead the Jackson Park bio-blitz. Specific wildlife-themed searches will occur, including bird, plants, mushrooms and insect counts.

To aid in recording wildlife observations during the bio-blitz, the iNaturalist app will be used to upload sightings of species spotted through the use of a unique Peterborough project event page. In addition, any nature observations recorded from April 28 to May 1 in Peterborough are eligible for the CNC competition and can be posted to the Peterborough iNaturalist page.

“The City Nature Challenge is citizen science in action. I invite residents to join us on April 29 for the BioBlitz. This event is a great opportunity for residents to connect with each other and with nature at Jackson Park, a well-loved urban park that is home to many forms of wildlife. Information gathered during the BioBlitz will support scientific research and contribute to our understanding of how climate change impacts biodiversity,” said Councillor Joy Lachica, Chair of the City’s Environment and Climate Change portfolio.

All observations will be verified by volunteers to confirm the correct species identification uploaded to iNaturalist. The CNC will tally the total confirmed observations from participating communities world-wide and announce the winners for the most sightings per community’s population size and area. A detailed schedule of the event will be posted online.

To learn more about how to participate, visit Peterborough City Nature Challenge web page.

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Monarch Ultra Members Invited to International Butterfly Festival in Mexico

Members of the conservation and ultra-marathon organization Monarch Ultra have been invited to the International Monarch Butterfly Festival in Zitácuaro, Mexico from Friday to Sunday.

Carlotta James (left), Gunther Schubert (middle) and local environmentalist Gustavo Zaro (right) visiting El Galán Ecotourism Park in Guanajuato, Mexico in 2019. Photo courtesy of Carlotta James.

Zitácuaro is known as the gateway to the butterfly sanctuaries in the Sierra Madre Mountains, where the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is located. Indigenous groups in Zitácuaro have planted over 200,000 trees in the forest sanctuaries to provide additional habitat for the migrating monarch butterflies.

The Canadian delegation will learn more about environmental action in Zitácuaro and how cities in North America can work together to protect monarch butterflies according to a press release.

Rodney Fuentes is also directing a documentary film about the Monarch Ultra Relay Run, and will visit the forest sanctuaries to film millions of monarch butterflies in their overwintering home.

“Participating in the international festival will strengthen our cause for monarch conservation and create new opportunities for collaboration between Peterborough and Zitácuaro,” said Monarch Ultra co-founder Carlotta James. “Thanks to the beloved monarch butterfly, local yet international, delicate yet resilient, monarch butterflies are bringing together two communities on a shared journey towards greater environmental awareness and action.”

James, Fuentes and Gunther Schubert organized the Monarch Ultra Relay Run in 2019. It was a 4,300 km ultra-marathon that followed the migration of monarch butterflies from Peterborough to Macheros, Mexico.

“We want to learn from the Zitácuaro community and how best we can also contribute to protecting monarch butterflies and all pollinators that are crucial to the health of our ecosystem,” said James. “We believe that environmental action at the local and international level is essential to building stronger, more connected communities. Through this festival, I hope we can continue to be a champion for the monarchs so that future generations can witness the beautiful patterned creature of the skies.”

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Get Outside With the Kawartha Conservation Foundation Explore Nature Challenge

The Kawartha Conservation Foundation is encouraging people to use the trails at Ken Reid Conservation Area as part of the Explore Nature Challenge.

Photo courtesy of The Kawartha Conservation Foundation.

It is a virtual fitness challenge where participants can walk, run, bike or hike the 11 km of trails at their own pace.

The goal of this challenge is to get people outside and active.

Participants who complete the challenge will have trees planted on their behalf at one of Kawartha Conservation’s properties and receive a commemorative medal.

To participate in the challenge, receive a medal and have a tree planted on their behalf, participants must pay $20 for an individual, $35 for a couple or $40 for a family.

Anyone is welcome to apply here.

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Local Photographer Captures Late Spring Magic With Nature

PTBOCanada is proud to support all things Peterborough including this wonderful photo gallery by Dave Ellis Photography.

Fox kit happily playing with a stick. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Two fox kits playing tag. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

A sandhill crane family with two young colts. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Two young sandhill crane colts. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Sandhill crane colt that could be thinking, “Look mom! I can fly!” Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Fritillary butterflies pollinating. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Male wood duck provides a splash of colour. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Common loon on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Great horned owl with her young ones on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Bald eagle feeding its young chick on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Osprey feeding its chick on the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Young deer fawn exploring its new world. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Male wild turkey displaying for potential female mates. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

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Local Photographer Has Nature Come Alive In Spring Wildlife Gallery

A big black bear digging for grubs along the edge of the water. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

A family of young raccoons out explore their new world. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

As soon as the great blue herons return they go to the rookeries and start their nesting season. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

As the loons come back to the north, they are quite hungry and catch whatever fish they can. This one swallowed this fish whole. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Bald Eagles are caring for the young eagles by now. They began nesting earlier in the year. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Beautiful young fox kits are out exploring. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

By late spring, the young eagles have gotten quite large. It will not be long before they are ready for their first flight. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Common mergansers play around as they catch fish under the last of the ice remaining in the coves of the lakes. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Eagles began nesting earlier in the winter but now they are bringing fresh straw to insulate the newly born young ones. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Fritillary butterflies are busy feeding on fresh flowers. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Great horned owls are spectacular raptors that are fiercely protective of their nests. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Great numbers of swans pass through southern Ontario as they head north this time of year. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Mom is returning from a day of hunting and greets her young ones. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

The Ospreys get right to work rebuilding and repairing their nests as soon as they return from the south. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

The young Canada geese are always a beautiful heartwarming sight. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

The young herons grow fast. In a short time they will be ready to leave the nest. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

There are as many as 21 turtles on one log here in the Kawarthas. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Wild turkeys are going into their mating season and the toms are strutting their stuff. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Wood ducks are pairing up and looking for nesting spots. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

Young fox kits playing in the sunshine. Photo Courtesy of Dave Ellis Photography.

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