Some Early Autumn Sightings

 There really has not been much of interest lately as autumn is upon us.  Seems like it was all downhill since my week-long trip!  As I write this today, summer is back!  Way too nice and warm for this time of year, so bird activity will be slow.

In the last week, I have been to Rondeau Park three times.  Been a bit slow, but the last time, Steve and I did a flight watch first thing in the morning on Saturday.  A fair number of birds were moving. Most warblers were Blackpoll as expected.   Several Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were on the move as well.  It is always interesting to seen what flies over.  One of these days, we may get a rarity!

We have been checking Keith McLean C. L. for Nelson's Sparrows,  but have not had any luck, strange enough.  There is not as much ideal habitat this year compared to last though, but they will appear soon!

I walked out marsh trail the first two visits to Rondeau.  Seemed like the best thing to do!  Lots of Sora still calling.  Not many ducks have yet come in, likely due to the mild weather.  

South Point trail was very quiet on Saturday.  Here are a couple of insects photographed.

Bramble Mason Wasp

Eastern Hornet Fly

Yesterday I went to Point Pelee for a change, and afterwards walked around the shorebird cell at Hillman.  It was disappointingly quiet for everything!  There was not much to photograph, even in the insect world.  Here are a couple of things I photographed.

Oblique-banded Pond Fly

Common Drone Fly (alien!)

Common Checkered Skippers are quite common right now.

American White Pelicans are a regular sighting in the Pelee area anymore.  There were around 24 at the Tip first thing, but I did see a single bird way out off the west side.  Pretty obvious, even at that distance.

This IS a pelican!

Raptors are heading south this time of year.  I have not done any watching yet, but this young Red-tailed was over Point Pelee.

The garden is dying off as one would expect, so there are not many nectaring sources.  I did capture a few things with the camera this week.

One-spotted Stinkbug

Marmorated Stinkbug

Scythris sinensis (moth)

Silky Striped Sweatbee

Eupeodes americanus

Yellow-legged Flowerfly

genus Ectemnius (?)

Locally, Peers Wetland is getting a makeover.  Some dead cottonwoods have been cut down, and the trail is getting "paved".

I heard that eventually the parking lot will be moved to a more suitable location.