In the late 1800s, the Christmas “Side Hunt” was a holiday tradition: teams would head outdoors with guns, competing to see who could collect the most birds and small mammals. The Peterborough count, which took place on December 14th is in its 74th year.

Origins of the Christmas Bird Count On Christmas Day, 1900, E. Fannie Jones stepped into Toronto’s winter cold to participate in North America’s very first Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Bundled in wool and brave against the northwest wind, she spent five hours recording the city’s winter birds.

The PFN wishes you a very happy Holiday Season and a wondrous New Year.

The Trailblazers Who Redefined Natural Science in Cda.When nature clubs and science institutions used to limit women to hospitality and note-taking, a remarkable group of Cdn women chose to lead anyway. They didn’t just break barriers—they redefined who belonged in the world of natural science.

Did you miss our December Monthly Meeting? Well it’s now up on YouTube, take a look and enjoy. A long-time annual tradition in the PFN is the members’ slide show night. Five PFN members (Terry Moodie, Ken McKeen, Shaelagh Kirkey, Sharon Hill and Haley Culin) youtu.be/fm6tk02vwuY?...

White-breasted Nuthatch visits #AppleClips

Join me in opposing changes to the mandate, resourcing and independence of conservation authorities that make it harder for them to fulfill their crucial role. ontarionature.good.do/conservation...

Who inspired your love of nature? For 85 years, women—mothers, mentors, scientists, volunteers—have helped shape the PFN and keep nature education thriving in our community.

We had some great presentations at our Annual Members Slide Show Night. Hope you were able to attend in person or on Zoom.

Enjoy the beauty #nature #peterboroughontario #birds #PFN85 @cityptbo @ptbocounty

KLT’s Passport to Nature: Meet the Mottled Duskywing Butterfly kawarthalandtrust.org/event/klts-p...

“Women Can Focus on the Science”: A New Era of Leadership From the 1940s to today, women have been central to our club’s scientific, educational, and conservation work. Their leadership continues to inspire the next generation of naturalists. Read their stories in Women of the PFN in Dec issue

Ontario’s decision to abandon climate targets isn’t going unnoticed, voices at Queen’s Park are pushing back loud and clear. 🔗: https://thepointer.com/article/2025-11-20/ottawa-s-deprioritization-of-climate-being-heard-loud-and-clear-at-queen-s-park-ontario-abandons-climate-targets

Winter Wonderland

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean birds don’t need water! If you’re thinking of putting away your bird bath, think again. We’ve rounded up a few ways you can help out the thirsty birds without causing any harm.

From Whimbrels and hawks, to colourful characters like the Scarlet Tanager or the iconic Blue Jay - Toronto has plenty to offer! On the Warblers Podcast, we learn more about the diversity of Toronto's birds and the joys of the thriving birding community.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid can kill hemlock trees in as little as 4 years. Ontario Nature staff are tackling HWA at Harold Mitchell Nature Reserve to protect one of the last mature Eastern Hemlock forests in the Niagara Region. ontarionature.org/management-o... Thank you to @NiagaraCF for their support.

85 Years of Women Leading the PFN For 85 years, women have shaped the Peterborough Field Naturalists—often quietly, often against the odds, and always with impact. Read the full story on how women helped build—and continue to build—the PFN in your December issue of The Orchid.

Renew your membership today, don't miss out on The Orchid, members meetings and joining outings. peterboroughnature.org/membership/

The Conservation Café is returning on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. presenter is Dr. Paul Smith from Environment and Climate Change Canada, who will speak on: Epic Journeys, Fragile Futures: The Conservation Crisis for Arctic Shorebirds 7:30 pm Upstairs at The Publican, 294 Charlotte Street

Climate change is shifting when Toronto’s leaves fall, leaving yard-waste pickup out of sync. If you miss collection: “Leave a layer of leaves throughout the winter so they can provide habitat for species.” – Melina Damián, Ontario Nature 🔗: tinyurl.com/2nvjpnrs #toronto #leavetheleaves

Ran across a couple of Pileated Woodpeckers out and about today, hanging around with each other.

Willow Beaked-gall Midge iNaturalist The larvae of this midge form galls as they develop in the terminal buds of willows. They overwinter in these galls and emerge in the spring as adults.

Red Squirrel The scientific name is Tamiasciurus hudsonicus. The Latin word “Tamias” means “storer” and “sciurus” means “shadow of a tail”. To the Ojibway Indians, the red squirrel is known as “Adjidaumo” meaning “tail-in-the-air”.

I hope you were able to attend the Ontario Old Growth Symposium yesterday. It was packed full of learning and some great speakers. A big Thank you to Katie Krelove of the Wilderness Committe for putting it on.

PFN President Sue Paradisis taking a wander in the Dahl Forest.

Ontario is dismantling 36 conservation authorities and replacing them with 7 regional bodies. Not for efficiency, but to strip power from communities and impose top-down control.

Parts of Highway 401 span 18 lanes and for wildlife, that’s an almost impossible barrier. With thousands of animals killed every year, we urgently need safe wildlife crossings along the 401. 🌿🐾 Read our blog here: ontarionature.org/wildlife-cro... #401 #wildlifecrossings

Do you know an old tree? These ancient wonders are in our midst and we are working partners to map old growth. This symposium is just down the road in Peterborough! It is free. You can register here: www.canadahelps.org/en/charities...

Birds Canada recently received a contribution from the Canadian Space Agency through the smartEarth initiative – but what have birds got to do with space? NatureCounts uses satellite imaging to map routes and plot birds. The app is a game-changer for birds – this grant will help us expand our tools!

The Provincial Government's plan to cut Ontario’s conservation authorities from 36 to 7 could threaten watersheds and communities. 🌊 Ontario Nature has made recommendations to protect these vital wetlands. Read more by @anushkayadav.bsky.social here: thepointer.com/article/2025... #onpoli

Possibly coming to a feeder near you. Evening Grosbeaks. These visited my yard today. #birds #eveninggrosbeaks

Kawartha Land Trust creates new nature reserve on 435-acre property in #TrentLakes. With community support and government funding, the Kawartha Highlands South nature reserve will protect wildlife habitat and feature future public hiking trails. kawarthanow.com/2025/11/09/k...

Opossum wandering the yard for a few nights.

Tonight is your last chance to get a glimpse of the Beaver Moon, the biggest supermoon of 2025. Learn why beavers are true ecosystem superheroes in ON Nature's most-loved magazine story here: catalog.ontarionature.org/winter-2024/... #beavermoon #supermoon #onnature #beaver

Since 1940, the Peterborough Field Naturalists have been exploring, teaching, and protecting the incredible natural world of the Kawarthas. From the dawn chorus at sunrise to frog calls under spring skies. Read: thepeterboroughexaminer.pressreader.com/article/2816...

Join a citizen-science weather network CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network) is a citizen-science program where volunteers measure and share daily precipitation data through a simple website or mobile app. www.cocorahs.org/Canada-About...

Last Monday, Ontario Nature and our Nature Network partners hosted the first Nature at Queen’s Park, meeting face-to-face with MPPs and urging the provincial government to repeal Bill 5 and replace it with something better. Make your voice heard: ontarionature.good.do/repeal-bill-... #RepealBill5

Join Sue and Lou for a day of discovery at Kawartha Highlands Signature Park this coming Sunday. Still spots available. peterboroughnature.org/event/the-mi...

For 85 years, the Peterborough Field Naturalists have been inspiring curiosity, friendship, and conservation in the Kawarthas. From migrating bird observations to wildflower walks and citizen science. thepeterboroughexaminer.pressreader.com/article/2816... #PFN85 #PeterboroughNature

It's #BatWeek! 🦇 Powerful work by Shawanaga First Nation: combining Indigenous-knowledge and science to protect endangered bats like the little brown myotis in Ontario. Read more @thenarwhal.ca 👉 thenarwhal.ca/shawanaga-fi... #Conservation #IndigenousLeadership

On a wander the other day I came across a Northern Shrike, near the shores of Rice Lake. Such a treat.

Renew your membership today!! peterboroughnature.org/membership/ Don't miss out on receiving The Orchid and going on outings.

Discover Nature with the Peterborough Field Naturalists by Drew Monkman

Vernal Pool Ecology Talk! Vernal Pools are a critical part of Canada's hydrology. Join us at the zoo to learn about these facsinating and underappreciated ecosystems! Riverview Park & Zoo 1300 Water Street Peterborough, ON K9J 7G4 www.eventbrite.ca/e/vernal-poo...

Beautiful skies today