Pelee Prize-Magnificent Frigatebird

Luckily things were slow at work today, so I headed south late morning.  The target was a frigatebird that was reported yesterday afternoon.  It was a Magnificent Frigatebird, which appears to be a female. It is a bird any serious birder cannot pass up!
I arrived at Pelee Wings Nature Store during lunch hour and went to the back deck where Mike Malone and Joan Walker have graciously allowed birders to view this magnificent creature.

It was a bit distant as it perched in a tree, but views through the scope were good.

Mike told us that a homeowner was accepting birders to view the bird from his dock, and many of us went there at the end of Robson Road to see the bird up close.  I went over with my very good friend, Rick Mayos.

It did not fly the whole hour I was there and looked lost and likely hungry as it perched in the tree.

While there I met several friends or people I know, and others came afterwards.

Rick Mayos at left, Barb Charlton looking through scope and Nathan Hood and Isabel Apkarian in centre

There have only been four previously accepted records for Ontario (prior 2016), most likely results of hurricanes in the south.
1) Point Edward, Lambton September 1988
2) Stoney Point, Essex October 1995
3) Clearville-Rondeau, Chatham-Kent July 2012
4) Long Point, Norfolk September 2012

There are two records accepted as frigatebird sp.
1) Colchester, Essex 2008
2) Lake Huron shoreline (Ipperwash, Lambton to Tobermory, Bruce) 2013

It is often difficult to assign species to some frigatebirds, as was the case in the above two records.

I stopped by Hillman Marsh on the way back and walked around the shorebird cell.  Few butterflies were to be found, but the continuing Dickcissels were singing away.  I seem to always come up with seven singing males there, but likely there are several females lurking around.

Three Great Egrets were close by affording photo ops.

It was a fine way to start the holiday weekend, and add a new Essex County bird to my list (been a while!).

Images of Wednesday

Wednesday morning I was in Sarnia to work on a boat.  I was done by noon so headed over to Logan's Pond (an old quarry) near the corner of Modeland Road and Lakeshore Road.  Last year, some Comet Darners were seen there and I was hoping to see some.  However, none appeared!  I saw about eight species of dragonflies, but certainly no Comet Darners.  Perhaps they are yet to appear.

I stopped by Moore WMA on the way back and found this Silvery Checkerspot.

I also stopped by Reid CA to look for more hairstreaks.  Seems it is not a great year for them, as I was hard-pressed to find just a few Banded.

It should be peak time for the Southern Hairstreak, but this is the second day I have struck out!
Here is a link to my initial find of the Northern Oak Hairstreak:
http://burgbirder.blogspot.ca/search/label/Northern%20Oak%20Hairstreak

Here are some photos of other butterflies encountered.

American Painted-Lady

Silver-spotted Skipper

Dun Skipper

Partial Appalachian Brown

Dun Skipper

Northern Broken-Dash

Just before getting home, I stopped by Stewart Wetland.  Several Great Egrets are still hanging around.

A male Blue-winged Teal was also present.

Some shorebirds are starting to appear as "fall" migrants.  A single Least Sandpiper was working the mud.

Recent Wanderings

Sunday I decided to check out Point Pelee.  On the way, Dickcissels were in the known locations including the field beside Camper's Cove Road, Hillman Marsh and along Mersea Road 19 (2 spots).

Often, this time of year, I walk down east beach to the Tip and back west beach trail.  East beach was a challenge in spots due to the very high water.  At one point, there was no beach and I had to bush-wack over fallen trees. (not doing that again any time soon!)
Butterflies were few and far between, and the west side was no better due to the strong west wind.

Red-breasted Mergs at Tip area

Off Sparrow Field were some gulls, but none of the rarer type!  Lots of bonies were included plus a Lesser Black-backed.  One can only be hopeful for something like a Black-headed.

A Great Blue Heron was wading in the water at the Tip.

Some young birds included this Yellow Warbler along west beach.

This large insect was interesting.

Today, I got off work a bit early and headed over to Reid CA.  Allen Woodliffe was already there looking for hairstreaks.  It seemed to be an "off" day for hairstreaks even though the weather was decent.  We found a few Banded.  At one point I thought we saw a Hickory, but maybe not.

Despite some patience, we did not see an"Oak" hairstreak.

Sunday

Some Question Mark and Eastern Comma were along the main trail, as well as a few Appalachian Browns.

Soon, Dukes' Skippers should be showing up.  Perhaps they will do better this year with all the rain we have had.
The garden is doing well with all the moisture this year.

Lambton Crop Tour June 24

Early Morning Dickcissel

Today I decided to tour around south Lambton County to look for birds and butterflies.  Of course, Dickcissels were everywhere.  Is this the biggest invasion ever or what?  I encountered a couple along Lambton Line east of Kimball Road, previously unreported.

I zig-zagged through the county roads, passing by the McCallum Line Dickcissels. I then worked my way north.  The Loggerhead Shrike was a one-day wonder (June 13) I guess, as nobody has found it again.
Dickcissels were in a few spots along Stanley needless to say.
I eventually wound up on Ladysmith Line and at the north end there were some more Dickcissels.  Also immediately to the west along LaSalle Line.
I was due for a walk at Dow Wetlands along LaSalle Line just west of highway 40.  Here I found a couple of Upland Sandpipers--a usual sighting here.  Good to know some are here this year.

Naturally, there were Dickcissels here too!  I found at least six.

Beside Doug's Lookout (pond), I was watching another Dickcissel.  After five minutes a female popped up right there, so I assume it was constructing a nest.

I stopped beside Bickford Oak Woods, and at the corner of Bickford Line and highway 40 were at least two more Dickcissels.  One was right at the parking lot for BOW.  A very poor photo was taken.

I see that a famous Sarnia birder ventured into BOW early this morning.  I was tempted to go into this mosquito-ridden swamp, but could not muster up the courage.  Deryl Nethercott did find a Hooded Warbler--a decent record for the area.

I stopped by Moore WMA, but after the torrential rains of yesterday, the river was running very high.  So, no big walk there.

Down Waubuno Road near the curve at Black Creek Line, was yet another Dickcissel.  I did not stop to see how many were there.

This time of year, a stop at Reid CA is mandatory.  Hairstreaks are now coming out!  Late yesterday I found the first Southern (Northern Oak) Hairstreak.  Weather was not ideal yesterday though.

Friday

Also, the first Banded Hairstreak.....

Today, I found four or five 'Oaks', but only a couple Banded.

Some Long Dash and Peck's were in the mix.

Long Dash (worn)

Peck's Skipper

While other butterflies are scarce, European Skippers seem to be the most numerous I have seen them in a long time.

A fresh Great-spangled Fritillery was along the path..

Appalachian Browns are also out, but I never got a photo of one today.

I also stopped by McKeough CA.  Numerous Delaware Skippers were in the floodway.

I also found one each of American Painted-Lady and Common Painted-Lady.

'Tis the season!