Lambton Leps and Things

 The past couple of days, I spent some time in Lambton County to see what was around.

Tuesday it was up to Port Franks and Ipperwash.  At least it was a pleasant day weatherwise, as the main focus was insects.

I think the constant cold northerly winds all May did a lot of things in, as there was not the usual number of insects that one would see this time of year.

I first walked the L-Lake and NCC trail off Outer Drive at Port Franks.  I always enjoy this walk for birds and insects.

There were not as many birds as usual, but several Acadian Flycatchers were on the usual territories.

Mud Creek winds through the area, and at a certain location, one can look at the watercourse.

The uncommon Cyrano Darner flies here.  Although I have seen it in the past, there was nothing to be seen this day.

I then slid over to Karner Blue Sanctuary to check out the recent burn.  It was long overdue and things looked good.

However, not as many insects as usual.  I did find several Juvenal's Duskywings.

One very worn duskywing appeared to be a Sleepy.

This Peck's Skipper popped up at one point.

Not the best place to find the rare Dusted Skipper, but I did manage one individual here.

Next stop was Ipperwash around the old MNR parking lot.  Here one can find good numbers of Dusted Skippers, but there were not as many as these little bandits usual.

At one point, I spotted an Elfin, albeit very worn.  I think it was probably a Hoary.

I do not see many Elfins since one has to go to north Lambton fairly early in spring.  I spend more time in the south at this time of year!

Very few odes, but this bluet was likely a Boreal, which is uncommon here.  Nobody seems to want to offer any comment on iNaturalist!  Should be enough to go in here.

It was a hot and muggy day, and by the time I was done at this location, I decided not to do any more.

However, I did stop briefly at Wilkesport to look for Zabulon Skipper, but no luck there.

Yesterday I headed up to Sarnia to check around.  I did a long walk at Perch Creek Habitat finding the usual birds.  It was too early for many insects though.

I walked along the creek for a bit, something which I had never done before.  Potential for lots of odes there, so maybe I will try that again soon, if I can tolerate the mosquitoes.

I also walked around the adjacent old landfill, but there was nothing of significance.

Common Ringlet

One of the main targets was to see Silvery Blue butterflies at Blackwell Trails park.  This is the only known spot this far south, and they are fairly abundant here.

I saw several, but they are always very flighty. One co-operated for me.

Others butterflies included Peck's Skipper and Wild Indigo Duskywing.  I could not rule out Columbine Duskywing though on this one.

Towards home, I stopped at Moore WMA.  A bit early for odes there, but some teneral Blue-tipped Dancers were out.

Add, of course, a look for mussels did not reveal anything of note.  Just the usuals.

Mapleleaf

In the history department, on this day in 1972, the Parker Evans rammed the Sidney E. Smith Jr. under the Bluewater Bridge.  The Smith quickly sank as a total loss.

The hull still exists as a breakwater at the end of Seaway Road near the government docks.

As a result, only one-way freighter traffic was allowed form this point forward.

As a kid, I recall going to see the Smith lying on its side in the river.  Also, the wheelsman on the Evans was a friend of my dad's and he recalled the incident.  There was nothing he could do to stop the event.  I remember him saying that his heel marks were left on the wheelhouse floor!

I do not seem to have photos of the above freighters on hand.  Still looking.

More Surprises ! Another Zabulon and a Harvester in the Mix

 The last couple of days I have been at a loss where to go in the morning.  Yesterday I went to Rondeau, but there were no surprises.

Some late migrants were still trickling through as expected.  Some Blackburnian Warblers were still kicking around, as well as others.

Shorebirds are still numerous with certain species.  Semipalmated things such as plovers and sandpipers were in good numbers.

I did have one Least Sandpiper at the east beach off south point trail, which is getting late by early June.

I stopped by Blenheim Lagoons as well, where there were lots of Semipalmated things.

Five White-rumped Sandpipers was a good number for the date.

Today, I really was at a loss where to go!  There are so many places and things to check out this time of year, I have to make some sort of decision.

I ended up going to Skunk's Misery which was a good choice, as it turned out.  It was still quite cool in the morning, which was a good thing as it kept mosquitoes at bay.

I spent quite a bit of time touring around and got most of the specialties, including two Cerulean Warblers.  They were unseen singing in the treetops!

I walked Sitler Woods and got the usual Acadian Flycatcher.

As usual I always look for American Chestnut.

Hooded Warblers were in good numbers, as I heard twelve singing males in total.  I just happen to have a good ear to detect them and other birds!  And yes, I was careful not to double count.

Ovenbirds are in big numbers at Skunk's, and today was no exception.

Red-eyed Vireos were everywhere, but that is to be expected in a place such as this.

Along one creek that has been dredged, I always see fingernail clams.  Very tiny!

Striated Fingernail Clam

While in the area, I decided to check out Wardsville Woods.  By the time I was done at Skunk's, it was after ten and warm enough for insects.

It is a bit early for the rarities, but lots of Midland Clubtails kept me busy.

Back at the pond, I was baffled to see a Zabulon Skipper!  This is the exact same spot I had one last year.

The little pond also had a beaver swimming in it.  That surprised me for such a small pond!

Walking back along the creek, I saw an interesting butterfly going back and forth over the stream.  It was in a difficult spot, so I could not get a good photo.

It suspiciously looked like a Harvester, a unique butterfly not often seen.  And indeed it was.

That was a bonus!

There were other things there of course.

White-striped Black (moth)

Juvenal's Duskywing

This afternoon, I was curious enough to go back to Reid CA and check on the Zabulon Skippers.  I met up with Pete Chapman who had unsuccessfully looked for them.  So, he followed me to the spots and sure enough they were there.   Exact same spot as a couple days ago, not to mention same as last summer.

These things have me baffled.  Do they overwinter?  I must do more research.

These males this year are in the exact same spots as last year both at Reid and Wardsville.  Just too coincidental.

I have yet to check the spot at Wilkesport, and if I find one there, it will be mind-boggling!

Another Long Walk and a Surprise at Reid CA

 Friday I was up for a long walk at Rondeau Park.  Weather was not perfect (nothing new), but I wanted to walk the entire trail once this spring.

I found the usual birds, but no surprises.  One goal was to get Least Bittern.  I only heard one!  Usually that walk will produce 6 or 7 on a good day.

View out Marsh Trail

A Northern Waterthrush seemed out of place well past the Long Pond trail, but remained unseen.

Saturday turned out more seasonal and sunny for a change.  I made my usual rounds early in the morning.  I came across a Ring-necked Pheasant at one point, but it was in a known spot.

They are difficult to find anymore.

But by mid-day, I was up for a walk at Reid CA to see what was around.

I happed to meet Jessica Linton upon arrival, as she and her partner had just looked the place over in prep for some possible work there in opening up an area.

I walked the main trail and around the back field as usual.  Up to ten species of butterflies was nice to see since there have been very few due to the unseasonal weather this month.

Highlight was the sighting of a couple of skippers.  At first I thought just the expected Hobomoks, but I had an inkling they were something else.  They were quite flighty, so I never could get a photo of the underwing which would be the clincher.

I took some photos and moved on.

It was not until that evening when I had time to review photos, and they appeared to be Zabulon Skippers.  As usual, I am overly cautious and put them up on iNaturalist as Zabulon.  I was just not sure since Hobomok Skippers are quite similar.

Sure enough, they were Zabulon!

It was last summer that I discovered two or three at Reid, as a first record for there.  So, maybe they did something right!

Here are some other butterflies:

Easter Tiger Swallowtail

Grey Comma

Juvenal's Duskywing

Silver-spotted Skipper

I also look for other insects along the way, and there are lots to be see at Reid over the season.

Fragile Forktail

Springtime Darner

Skimmer with four spots

Golden-backed Snipe Fly

Cross Potter Wasp

Today, the weather went right back to crappy!  It was more like late October this morning with strong northerly winds, cold and drizzle.  So, not much happened.

This afternoon was much better.  A Bay-breasted Warbler has been in the yard the last couple of days gearing up for the journey north.  Photos taken at distance through glass.