Mosquito Swatting in Port Franks and Ipperwash

This morning I headed up to Port Franks area again.  I wanted to spend more time on the L-Lake trail and NCC trail.  It rained on the way up, but at least stopped by the time I got there.  Mosquitoes were thick due to all the rain we have had this spring.  A heavy dose of repellent was in order!
Early on, I encountered a Magnolia Warbler, not unusual for this location at this time, and also a pair of Hooded Warblers.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has a property to the north which a trail runs through.  Earlier this week, a Worm-eating Warbler was discovered along this trail.  Perhaps it was an overshoot as it has not been detected since to my knowledge.

At one point, I found a vocal Acadian Flycatcher, and further along, a pair was alongside the trail.

Pizza Bird

Acadian Flycatchers are rather abundant in the Ipperwash, Port Franks, Pinery area as suitable habitat exists.  It is no problem finding them!

Ridge along NCC trail

On the way back, I stopped by the pond for a bit, and Deryl Nethercott came along.  I mentioned that I wanted to check out a trail system over in Ipperwash.  That was our next destination!

Along Outer Drive, we stopped to listen for some warblers including Mourning, Chestnut-sided, Blue-winged and a migrant Blackpoll.  I still did not get a Cerulean for the area!

At Ipperwash, we arrived at the Ipperwash Dunes and Swales Forest trail system.  It is an incredible natural area and very unique in my opinion.  There are three main trails:  Dunes and Swales (5.5km), Cedar Trail (2.5km) and Beach trail (4.7km).

We walked the entire Dunes and Swales trail, which went through some nice habitat of dune ridges with swales in between.  Mosquitos seemed to be more abundant here, but it was a treat to walk through this habitat.
We saw lots of Pink Moccasin orchids.

One of the warblers working the swales was a singing Canada Warbler which was not too photogenic.

In one of the larger swampy areas, was an Acadian Flycatcher.

We did hear one Hooded Warbler along the way.  Hooded Warblers are also common in these parts.

Some butterflies included this Hobomok Skipper.

At the trail head, we found a Common Roadside Skipper. One species I had not seen in a few years. On some of the Pinery counts, we have had lots, but in some years none.

At first I had thought the similar  Dusted, but a closer look revealed it to be Roadside. No white above the eye giving it a "bandit" look.  Also the hind-wing edge is different.

We checked out part of the Beach trail, which is more open and certainly better for butterflies.

It follows a sandy dune ridge and apparently comes out at the public parking area.
Along this trail, we almost went by a family of Sandhill Cranes which was down in the swale.  There was a pair plus a very young bird, difficult to get a good look at.

Along Beach trail, we found a Black-and-White Warbler which is possibly nesting the area.  I have seen them in late June and early July in these parts.

The Ipperwash Dunes and Swales is certainly worth another visit! (Perhaps in November when finches and waxwings are moving through).