Shorebirds to Butterflies

Least Skipper at Blenheim

I did a tour of various places today, starting with shorebirds at Blenheim Sewage Lagoons.  Habitat is good and we should take advantage of it as I have a suspicion that the lagoons will be closed again this August!  Lots of shorebirds to look at, but nothing unusual.  I did have at least 7 Solitary Sandpipers.  Other species included Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitchers and Spotted Sandpipers.
A female Canvasback was also present.
The Red-mantled/Carolina Saddlebags were still flying around.  I am still tempted to think Red-mantled. Impossible to photograph!

skipper (not sure of species!) at Pelee

Down at Erieau, things were a bit quiet.  Bonaparte's Gulls of various plumages were on the post near McGeachy Pond.  Also some Common Terns were around.

Common Buckeye (underwing side)

I decided to take a run to Point Pelee and look for butterflies.  Common Buckeyes are common!  I had about 20 along West Beach Trail.  A couple of Little Yellows (now a "dirt" butterfly) were seen as well (no photos today).

I met Bob Yukich along the trail and had a nice chat with him.  He found some Broad-winged Skippers yesterday near the east end of Shuster Trail which was interesting news.

Dukes' on fluff

Dukes' Skippers were fairly plentiful along the east end of Shuster.

Dukes' Skipper

One of these days I hope to get a good batch of migrants at Pelee.  You just have to be there at the right time, as most of these butterflies do not stay any length of time.  Just like birds, nothing shows up on weekends!

Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle