Last year at this time we had so much snow it seemed like winter would never loosen it’s grip on Eastern Ontario. I had 28 deer checking in for handouts every day. This year, the snow is almost all gone and only a few deer drop by each day to see if there are any handouts forthcoming. There aren’t!

We don’t have as many wild turkeys this year, either. Last year we had 32 strutting their stuff in our back yard. There were two toms and the rest were hens – some big old bossy mammas and some smaller yearling females. The turkeys and deer do a good job cleaning up leftovers from the bird feeders.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has some excellent information on their website about ‘Living with Wildlife.’ And in the ‘wilds of Renfrew County’ we certainly do ‘live with wildlife!’

It’s been a good year for the birds in Renfrew County this year. The recent thaw opened up hidden stores of food for both deer and birds alike. And today, Monday March 9, 2009, marked the arrival of the first red wing blackbird at our feeders. The blackbirds are wonderful harbingers of spring; with their raucous arrival you just know that better weather is on its way – always a wonderful thing in this cold and snowy part of the world.

With the arrival of warm weather, a lot of our snow has already melted. However, we had a light dusting last night and for most of the morning. The charming couple on this folk-art birdhouse smiled cheerfully through it all!

If you are getting a bit crabby and feeling the effects of cabin fever, so prevalent in this area at this time of year, why not get together with some friends and take a drive to Gerber’s Nursery in Golden Lake. There are lots of flowers already in bloom and it’s warm and inviting in the Greenhouse.

It has been quite cold in the Ottawa Valley this winter. We have had several freezes and thaws between the intermittent snow storms, which transformed some of our lakes into exquisite, shimmering stretches of reflective ice. Ice fishing huts have been sighted in abundance throughout the region.

This solitary shack sits in elegant repose on the frozen waters of Lake Dore, visible from Highway 41 as you travel between Eganville and Pembroke.

Renfrew County is a four season fisherman’s paradise. Read more about Fishing in the Ottawa Valley on the OttawaValley.org website.