“Nature in the Kawarthas” is the newest publication of the Peterborough Field Naturalists.  Published in December 2011 by Dundurn Press this book presents a wealth of information about the birds, mammals, insects, flowers, reptiles and amphibians that inhabit the Kawarthas area – City of Peterborough, County of Peterborough and City of Kawartha Lakes.

The book commences with an introduction to the geomorphology of the landscape and the processes which created the landscape which now contains a variety of habitats with their associated plants and animals.

Other chapters focus on specific habitats such as Shorelines, Wetlands, and Tallgrass Prairies and Savannahs.  The book has chapters devoted to plant groups such as Mushrooms and Toadstools, Orchids and Trilliums, and animal groups such as Butterflies, Woodland Birds, and even Backyard Birds.

The Places to Go section recommends the best areas to visit to explore the nature wonders of the Kawarthas Region.

The authors, members of the Peterborough Field Naturalists, are knowledgeable naturalists and many are professionally involved in the study of our native flora and fauna.

Nature in the Kawarthas is illustrated by over 200 colour photographs.

This book is a must for any person interested in the biodiversity of the Kawarthas Region.

Nature in the Kawarthas is available from your favourite bookstore and on-line book sellers.  It is also available at the regular meetings of the Peterborough Field Naturalists.

Below is a list of all the chapters within the book waiting for you to explore them..

1.     The Physical Landscape — A land shaped by Ice and Water  by John Bottomley

2.     Regional Ecosystems — A Land of Great Diversity by Michael McMurtry

3.     The Kawartha Lakes — Changes Over Time by Roger Jones

4.     Shorelines — The Virtual Edge by Gordon Gerry

5.     Wetlands — Not Just for Mosquitoes by Rebecca Zeran

6.     Vernal Pools — Seasonal Woodland Oases by Janine McLeod

7.     Alvars — Life on Limestone Pavements by Wasyl Bakowsky

8.     Tallgrass Prairies and Savannahs — Remnant Grasslands by Wasyl Bakowsky

9.     Mushrooms and Toadstools — Fun with Fungi by Tim Dyson

10.   Ferns and Mosses — Beyond Spores and Fiddleheads by Susan Chow

11.    Spring Ephemerals — The First Flowers of Spring by Gordon Berry

12.    Trilliums — Ontario’s Flowers by Gordon Berry

13.    Wild Orchids — Miracles of Diversity by Gordon Berry

14.    The Insect World — Success in a Small Thing by Rebecca Zeran

15.    Butterflies — Beauty on the Wing — Phil Schappert

16.    Moths — Beauty at Night by Tim Dyson

17.    Frogs and Toads — Evening Musicians by Michael Oldham

18.    Turtles — Species Under Threat by Regina Verrin

19.    Fish of The Kawartha Lakes — Nature Beneath the Surface by Percy Powles

20.    Raptors — Silhouettes in the Sky by Tim Dyson

21.    Marsh Birds — At Home in Wetlands by Andrew Jobes

22.    Woodland Birds — Songsters of the Forest by Erica Nol

23.    Winter Birds — Surviving the Cold by Drew Monkman

24.    Backyard Birds — Nature at Home by John Bottomley

25.    Amazing Bats — Acrobats of the Night by Paul Elliott

26.    Mammals — From Mice to Moose by Martin Parker and Tim Dyson

27.    Nocturnal Nature — Thins to See in the Dark by Drew Monkman

28.    Aquatic Invasive Species — The Aliens Are Here! by Gordon Berry

29.    Conservation — Leaving a Legacy by Ian Attridge

Appendices

Places to Go — details on 24 sits to visit to discover the natural heritage of the Kawarthas

Common and Scientific Names — for all the plants and animals mentioned in the book

 

All photos are from ‘Nature In The Kawartahas’.