Owls come to Peterborough Museum and Archives
Learn all about the secret life of owls at the Peterborough Museum and Archives when you view Northern Owls, a travelling exhibit on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum.
The exhibit contains mounted owl specimens, displayed in small settings to reflect their northern natural habitats. Find out about owl behaviour, biology and lifestyle and learn little known facts about the nocturnal creatures.
It’s a beautiful exhibit and visually stunning,” said museum curator Kim Reid.
The exhibit has been at the museum before, but Reid thought the topic was extremely timely.
“Our mandate also includes the environment and with global warming, it does impact owls,” she said.
Although these owls typically live in northern Ontario, some of them have migrated.
“We see more snowy owls and great grey owls because they are looking for food,” she said.
You will also discover interesting facts about owls. For example, the exhibit has a skeleton of a great grey owl shown that is about one-fourth of the size of what you see.
“It’s really surprising. They are like a cat with feathers,” says Reid.
You’ll also get a couple of chances to see live owls and other birds of prey.
As a tie-in to Northern Owls, the museum has partnered with the Ontario Falconry Centre to present two live demos at the museum with 12 to 14 owls, falcons, hawks and eagles.
The birds will taken out fo their cages a spart of the meet-andgreet style of the demo, where you can see owl behavior,
The demos were arranged by Dustin McIlwain, the museum’s community engagement coordinator.
“It was a logical move to make partnership links to the exhibit,” said McIlwain.
Dates are Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., during the carnival on the Hill as part of Snofest; and Mar. 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Admission is free, however visitors are encouraged to make a small donation to offset costs.
He also believes the there is a great partnership with the ROM.
“It exposes Peterborough to exhibits from larger organizations,” he said.
The museum has applied to the museum assistance program for additional funding for this exhibit.
The display runs until Apr. 8. You can take in the exhibit weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends 12 pm. to 5 p.m. The museum is located at 300 Hunter Street E., Museum Drive, on top of Armour Hill. Admission is by donation.
Poncho Class
Want to knit a poncho? Read on.
Christina Pridie from The Peterborough Yarn Shop is running an evening workshop to knit a one-size poncho, planned for Jan. 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cost for the kit is $64 and includes the pattern and two 400 grams of Rustic Tweed Aran. Bring along a set of is 5.00 mm knitting needles. Spaces are limited. For info or to register, call 705-7483402 or send an email to: pridiecollection@hotmail.com.