Tilbury Puts on a Show (in more ways than one)

I did my usual weekend route (seems like a routine anyway) by stopping at Tilbury Lagoon then going on to Point Pelee.
I was at Tilbury by 07:30 and was delighted to find lots of birds!  First thing to see was a group of 40 Great Egrets.  Still no Snowy!!

Over at the shorebird section, there was finally a big number of birds to study.  Of note were 2 juv Baird's Sandpipers, 2 or 3 juv Stilt Sandpipers and at least 3 Long-billed Dowitchers among the 11 dowitchers present. There was no Red-necked Phalarope first thing, but on my return trip mid afternoon, it was there.  It had already been seen by other birders!  Always nice to see a phalarope!

Lots of shorebirds were there for a change.  Things may be looking up!

Long-billed Dowitchers

imm. Black-crowned Night-Heron

At Point Pelee I walked West Beach Trail south of V. C. twice.  It was getting too hot after the second time!
I saw two different Horace's Duskywings along the trail, then another along the beach edge.  A fourth duskywing farther south was around the Crown Vetch patch which led me to believe it was a Wild Indigo.

The butterfly situation was a bit mediocre today except for hundreds of crescents.  A couple of American Painted Lady butterflies were found, and one Red Admiral.

American Painted Lady

After my weekly fill of a Green Godess I stopped at the south end of Northwest Beach parking lot as usual and found a Gray Hairstreak.  This was only my second one of the year--the first being in mid May at Rondeau Park.

Gray Hairstreak

Birds included a handful of warblers such as Blackburnian, Canada and Yellow.

On the way home I stopped at Tilbury again and was delighted to see a Red-necked Phalarope.

Things come and go.  More ducks 'n things were present including a Horned Grebe.

Walking towards my car, I saw 3 Fiery Skippers in a cluster!  A male and female were in copula and another male was trying to get some of the action!