Birds & Nature
Bobcaygeon harbours an amazing variety of bird and wildlife. On any given day, in the right season, you might spot deer, moose, eagles and swans, to name just a few. We would like to thank our talented local photographers for permission to show you some of their wonderful work. Thank you, Barbara Craven, Bruce Hobley, Larry Holden, Len Jerrard, Steven Jacobs, April Scott!
find out what others are seeing and report your own sightings
The iNaturalist.org site is a place where “hikers to hunters, birders to beachcombers” can report what they see and learn about nature. Join other nature lovers and explore maps of the world and record and share your own findings and check out what others have reported. The site covers all species and has a plethora of uploaded pictures and sound recordings.
Contribute to Naturalist science (Biodiversity)
Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed.
To explore what has been reported or to report and share your own findings for Bobcaygeon, click here.
contribute to bird science
(ornithology)
The www.ebird.org site is a global tool for birders and a critical tool for science. It was launched by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society in 2002 and allows you to explore real time check lists, maps and graphs as well as recording and sharing your own sightings.
The website uses “hot spots” under their mapping function where you can explore what has been reported at that hot spot and report a sighting of your own. We have several “hot spots” near Bobcaygeon that people interested in birds can explore: Bobcaygeon--Big Bob Channel, Big (Boyd/Chiminis) Island (Kawartha Land Trust), Pigeon Lake--Sandy Point, James McLean Oliver Ecological Centre,
Sturgeon Lake--Emily Creek mouth.
Bobcaygeon birdlife 'hot spots'
Bobcaygeon - Big Bob Channel
The Bobcaygeon village / Big Bob Channel area has great birdwatching possibilities. Ospreys, eagles, swans and loons feed and make homes here.
Boyd Island
Boyd Island (also known as Big or Chiminis Island) is an 1,100 acre island owned by the Kawartha Land Trust and is open to the public. The pristine and scenic shoreline is ideal for paddling along and fishing is good. You can also put your canoe or kayak ashore and explore the 8 km of marked hiking trails, keeping an eye out for the thousands of species living in the Island’s forests and meadows. The Back Channel is on the east side of the island and has calmer water and protection from the wind, making it a favourite for houseboat mooring. Please tread lightly.
Sandy Point is on the north end of Pigeon Lake, on the east shore, not far from Boyd Island. Mallards, loons, ospreys, cormorants and gulls are among the many species reported.
The Oliver Ecological Centre property is very rich in biodiversity. Trent University wants to safeguard and encourage this diversity, which will be a key feature in attracting biological and natural history studies.
The Oliver Ecological Centre property contains a number of diverse habitats, offering a variety of opportunities for study.
Sturgeon Lake - Emily Creek mouth
A short drive along CR 24 takes you to the mouth of Emily Creek, where there is an interesting and varied array of birds. As you drive along CR 24, you'll find osprey nests and lovely views as the road winds along beside Sturgeon Lake.
