Butterfly Count: Skunk's Misery July 7

Yesterday was the annual Skunk's Misery butterfly count.  We gathered at Newbury hospital early in the morning under overcast skies.  Eventually, the sun finally came out as we worked our respective areas.
My usual area in the morning was Centreville Drive through the Mosa Forest.  Unfortunately, once again, there was excessive and unnecessary roadside cutting alongside the roads taking out anything green.  Good grief, you would think they were trying to take down the woods!  Obviously Middlesex County has money to burn.

Things were very slow and in fact the slowest I have ever seen this count, at least to start.  Things did pick up towards noon and were better in the afternoon though.

We had no emperors along the road, which was probably a first.  Some Banded Hairstreaks were farther along in our walk.

A few Eastern Commas and a couple of Question Marks were found, but no Gray Commas this year.

Snake on a Stump!

 I kept track of birds along Centreville as we moved along.  See list:
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S57998117

Lunch, as always, was held at the Kin Park in Wardsville.  This year, Ann White was honoured by Thames Talbot Land Trust for her contributions over the years to various organizations.  Ann was the founder of this butterfly count.
https://www.thamestalbotlandtrust.ca/

After lunch I went to a different area than in previous years.  Our party headed up Glencoe way and checked some roadsides then came back Watterworth.

Delaware Skipper

American Lady

We also found Common Painted-Lady.

The Sydenham River Nature Reserve is within the count circle, so I wanted to check at the end of Buttonwood.  It is a location I had never been to before.

End of Buttonwood Drive

The road in, was littered with dozens of Red Admirals.  A few Tawny Emperors were mixed in, as well as Eastern Commas.

Tawny Emperor

We only walked in a little way to the creek as we did not bring appropriate footwear.  It is a neat place!

A yellow-bellied Sapsucker was t the end of the road while we were there.

The day ended with the traditional BBQ at the Prieksaitis farm south of Rodney.  Total species for the count was 50.  Red Admirals were the most numerous butterfly.  New for the count was a Mustard White.

On another note, the water levels are continuing to rise.  It rose all last week and today, I watched it continually rise all day.  It is getting very critical, so it has to stop!  Buildings are getting flooded and our shop is half flooded now.

Ducks are now swimming in front of the shop door1