Last Day of July Butterflies

It was a nice day, so I took advantage of the weather and checked for some butterflies north of Wallaceburg. A good number were flying for a change!
Firstly, I found some Dion Skippers in the sedge area. There were two or three males flying around. They kept flying in circles for the longest time, but finally a couple settled down for photos.





Other skippers included Dun, Northern Broken-Dash and Broad-winged.

Dun Skipper (?)

Broad-winged Skippers have finally come out in numbers. There were several in the low area of reeds.

Broad-winged Skipper

Common Wood-Nymphs were still quite numerous, but getting faded. This one was much larger than the others I have been seeing.

Some Banded Hairstreaks were still around, but getting faded.

Banded Hairstreak

I then decided to go up to McKeough CA and check for dragonflies. I immediately found three Flag-tailed Spinylegs along the water's edge.

Flag-tailed Spinyleg

Eastern Pondhawks were out two, and this female was patrolling the lilypads. A male was nearby and I observed them mating as well.

An Amberwing was at this location too.

Male and female Widow Skimmers were flying about. This male posed for a photo.

While watching for these dragonflies, a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew overhead. It likely nested in the area, as I see them along the floodway every summer.

Some Dragonflies

During a sunny period in this wacky weather, I went to the McKeough CA for a walk this afternoon. Butterflies were almost totally absent (what's new?), but I did see a few dragonflies and damselflies.

Most notable was a Flag-tailed Spinyleg. This male was in the floodway a ways from the river. I had found one in this same location in 2007. I was not sure what species at the time, but I found out it is quite uncommon in Ontario and found mainly along the north branch of the Sydenham River.

I found another along the river bank as well. It was duller.

Another species I found along the river was likely a Pronghorn Clubtail. At least it looks like the one in the guide!

A damselfly I found in the floodway looks like a female Blue-fronted Dancer...

Little Gulls Abound!

Snapping Turtle (marsh trail)

I spent the afternoon and evening at Rondeau Park. The few butterflies I saw were out Marsh Trail, including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, Summer Azure, Red Admiral, Eastern Comma, Question Mark, Northern Broken-Dash and Monarch.


In the evening, I walked out the eastside beach of south point trail and sat in one spot looking at gulls. There were hundreds! I noted quite a number of Little Gulls, so I made an effort at counting. While sitting on a log, in a span of about 1.5h, I counted 12 Little Gulls. Some kept moving, while others mingled with the other gulls. Most were adults or second summer, but one was a young one. There were also Common and Forster's Terns, and one Caspian Tern.

Common Tern

two Little Gulls with partial hoods on the beach

two adult Little Gulls in flight

a large group of gulls!

Little Gull

The reason I was at Rondeau in the evening was to attend the "moth night". David Beadle was invited to capture and identify moths. He captured some the night before to show us. One he had not seen before and could not identify.

David is an expert on moths and can identify most of them, along with their scientific name! He lives in the middle of Toronto and has identified several hundred species in his own little backyard.

Not many moths were around at this time, but the ones we did see were interesting.

Some More Butterflies

I checked out Moore WMA this afternoon and found a few butterflies. Striped, Coral and Edwards' Hairstreaks were present. The Coral were interesting in various states of wear or colour.
The first photo shows one that was worn, but the orange spots were a cream colour. The second photo shows a typical one, while the third photo shows the orange spots rather bright.

Other butterflies included Appalachian Brown, Little Wood Satyr, Wood Nymph (very common), Silvery Checkerspot, Eastern Comma, Gray Comma, Great Spangled Fritillary, Delaware Skipper and Northern Broken Dash. A few European Skippers were out too.

I also encountered a Snowberry Clearwing moth on Wild Bergamot. I have also seen the Hummingbird Clearwing at this location.

Point Pelee to Blenheim July 18

I headed down to Point Pelee this morning for a change of pace. Weather turned out quite nice despite the forecast! I met Adam Pinch and we walked down East Beach from Shuster Trail and back up West Beach Trail.
A good number of gulls were around, along with Caspian and Common Terns. Not many butterflies were around, but a few were out especially along the north half of the west beach trail south of West Beach parking lot.
We saw two Little Gulls at the pilings. There are quite a few around this summer.

Gulls and Terns at the Tip

Two Sanderlings at the Tip (each in a different plumage, and size)

Quite a few Caspian Terns were around for this time of year. About 25 were at the Tip. A few Red-breasted Mergansers were out there too. I noticed an immature Rose-breasted Grosbeak trying to fly off the Tip. It was harrassed by a Barn Swallow!

Some butterflies were along West Beach Trail including fresh and not so fresh Summer Crescents. I saw one that was very tiny.

I encountered the odd Hackberry Emperor. This one was staring me down.....

worn Crescent

The skippers I had were likely all Northern Broken-Dash. A few photos follow.

I stopped at Blenheim Sewage Lagoons on the way home. Lots of shorebirds were in. Those included 3 Stilt Sandpipers, 5 Short-billed Dowitchers, 3 Pectoral Sandpipers, approx. 80 Least Sandpipers, approx. 75 Lesser Yellowlegs, and a couple of Greater Yellowlegs.

Also there were the summering Tundra Swan, Redhead, Coots and Moorhens and other ducks.

Worn and Weary

I made a stop at Reid CA this afternoon during some spare time. I had not been there in a whole week, so I had hoped to find something different. Most of the butterflies I saw were quite worn. There were Banded and Edwards' Hairstreaks which were all worn. Other worn species included Appalachian Eyed-Brown, Great-spangled Fritillary, Common Wood Nymph, Little Wood Satyr, Monarch, Summer Azure, European Skipper and Northern Broken-Dash.

Edwards' Hairstreak

Banded Hairstreak

Great-spangled Fritillary

I did find a fairly fresh Northern Pearly-Eye that posed for a photo.

A worn Eastern Tiger Swallowtail was also added to the list....

The nicest butterfly was an American Painted Lady. They have been scarce this year. There were a few earlier in the spring, but not lately.

Birds singing included Peewee, Least Flycatcher, Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, Tufted Titmouse.

Clear Creek Butterfly Count

Today we did the Clear Creek butterfly count. I only did the afternoon, as it was raining here most of the morning. Despite the shortened day, we did very well. Total species for the count was an even 50! New for the count was Mulberry Wing found by George Preiksaitis.

Our group concentrated on the old railway lines which are excellent for butterflies. That is what makes this count so good.

Among the species we found were Southern Cloudywings, Coral, Banded, Striped and Acadian Hairstreaks. Some Bronze Coppers were also found. The Striped was the first one I have seen this season. Where are they?

I took a few photos with my small point and shoot camera, so quality is not the best.

Acadian Hairstreak (only one for the count!)



Southern Cloudywing



Striped Hairstreak (only one for the count!)




Banded Hairstreak on beet leaf (in Heather's garden!)

Happy Friday

Dion Skipper atop crayfish mound!

Weather was "perfect" this morning, so I took advantage of it. Firstly I needed to take my boat for a test run after some much-needed work on the motor. It now runs so nicely!

Model M Chris Craft motor

Next stop was to check out some butterflies north of Wallaceburg. A fair number were out. Topping the list was a Dion. I thought perhaps it was a Dukes' at first, but there was too much orange on the upperside. A few days ago I may have had a Dukes' in the same area. Habitat looks good for Dukes' in this spot.

male Dion Skipper

A few hairstreaks were out on the milkweed. Species included Edwards', Banded (most numerous), Hickory and one Southern (quite worn). Not as many hairstreaks as I had hoped, but perhaps many have "finished".

Edwards' Hairstreak

Hickory Hairstreak (?)

a worn hairstreak--probably Banded!

There were several other species out. I did find a Broad-winged in the sedges of the old oxbow. They may have just emerged, so more will be found. I did not manage to get a photo.

Appalachian Eye-Brown

Common Wood Nymph