More Bugs and Some Elgin County Rarities

 This past Tuesday was a nice calm morning, so I went out to Mitchell's Bay to walk the south shore trail.  Still nothing special, but one noteworthy bird was a Horned Grebe on the Bay.  It was bit too far for a good photo though.  Occasionally we will see one in the area in summer.

This is a Horned Grebe!

The usual bluets were along the trail.  Not sure why they call this one an Orange Bluet, but here it is.

After that, I headed out to Port Lambton to visit with some people looking at boats.  Nearby, I stopped at Brander Park to look at the pond.  There was not much flying, but some (Westfall's) Slender Bluets were still present, making more Slender Bluets!

Swamp Spreadwings were doing the same thing.

Two more Swamp Spreadwings....

Next day, I wanted to check out Skunk's Misery, but that did not work out too well.  Mosquitoes were unbearable!  So, I went up to the Sydenham River, first checking the boat launch at the end of Aughrim Line.  I guess it was a bit too early in the day for much.  Several Stream Bluets were seen in which seems to be a recurring position.

Downriver, I stopped at the Shetland boat launch site hoping to find Dusky Dancers.  Not to be!  All the other usual creatures were there though.

Powdered Dancer

Blue-tipped Dancer

Blue-ringed Dancer

Shetland is also one of the more reliable spots to see Flag-tailed Spinyleg.

Also saw a couple of Royal River Cruisers, but they were cruising!

Blackstripe Topminnows were plentiful as well.

Next day, I did not feel like doing much and stuck close to home.  The garden was busy with all kinds of insects.

Greater Golden Digger Wasp

Lunate Longhorn-cuckoo Bee

another Margined Callipgrapher

Recently I noticed some alien flowers in the garden.  Had no idea as to species, but turns out they were Safflower.  Obviously a result of overspill at the feeders during winter!

I also have several sunflowers that came up this year.

A few days ago, Black-billed Magpies were found just west of St. Thomas-- a family unit, as young birds were seen!  Today, Friday, was the day I headed into Elgin County to see them.  I was not in a position to take an photographs, but I did see at least two of these unique birds were seen at a farm.

I have seen them up at Rainy River on two visits in the distant past where they are fairly common.  So, this was nice to see this species again.  (Although I did find one at Rondeau Park once, but it was banded).  

There were several seen in southern Ontario this past spring, so it is not surprising that a pair hooked up!  Certainly a significant event for southwestern Ontario.

Heading back west and not too far, I stopped at John E. Pearce P.P.  A couple of days ago, Sedge Wrens were found in the Storey Wetland.  An uncommon bird for this area!  They must have arrived recently, as they were not detected earlier in the summer.

Today, I distinctly heard three birds singing, when apparently only two were detected yesterday.  I spent some time there, and even observed one carrying nesting material!

This one was carrying nesting material

I also like this place for insects.  Good for dragonflies. In the past I have had Comet Darner here, but I could not come up with one today.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (most of it)

Red-spotted Purple

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

On the way home, I decided to give Wardsville Woods a try.  Pretty sparse for leps and odes!  The prize of the day was Fawn Darner.  In fact, I saw two of them.

I have had them here in past years, so obviously a good spot to find them.

Great Spangled Fritillary at Wardsville

And, that was it for today!