'Burg Birder: Insects and Birds of Late

Monday, September 2, 2024

Insects and Birds of Late

There have been quiet a few slow days for birding lately, but I did have a couple of decent days.

I have been to Mitchell's Bay south shore trail a few times. Wednesday was fairly decent, but nothing special. Other times, rather slow for birds! The place always has the potential for something decent, especially in the water bird department. I learned recently, that a juvenile Little Blue Heron was in the vicinity on August 8. But that was over near the trailer park.

Thursday I went down to Rondeau and walked out marsh trail. It was one of the better days with lots of warblers and other birds. However, lighting was absolutely horrible, so many went unidentified. Birds were "streaming" north as they usually do on NE winds. It kept me busy though.

This Peregrine Falcon made an appearance at one point

Friday, I did a change in scenery and ventured to Hillman Marsh. It was one of those slow days for birds! But one never knows without looking. Maybe some Wood Storks could make an appearance...

Firstly, I went straight down to Cedar Springs to check for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper that was found by Jim the previous day. It was difficult to find and follow, but I did see at least one. These dainty shorebirds have been late and scarce so far this year in southern Ontario.

Over at Hillman, several Osprey have been hanging around lately.

I came across a Shadow Darner at one point. In the shadows of course! I have been seeing quite a few in various places recently.

Common checkered-skippers were numerous around the shorebird cell as always.

Saturday, it was fairly local for walks. In the afternoon, I took my usual long walk around the back field. Scenes along the trail:

Here too, I came across a Shadow Darner, but it was at the edge of the bean field.

Wandering Gliders are numerous right now. They do a lot of wandering since they are one of the most widespread dragonflies!

Royal River Cruisers have thinned out. I have only been seeing one or two recently.

A checkered skipper was here as well.

Grey Commas are regular at Reid.

Lots of angle-wings were are around, especially along the roads.

The only warbler I saw was a Magnolia.

When I got home, I noticed I had a passenger. Somewhere at Reid I picked up a White-spotted Prominent moth caterpillar.

Lots of Lance-tipped Darners are around right now also. Many I have found in the "wheel" position, as this one was at Peers Wetland.

The garden has had fewer insects recently since many flowers that I have are done. I found this Eastern Calligrapher, which is quite tiny and difficult to photograph. They can go un-noticed but are quite common though.

Several different butterflies have visited the yard, including Peck's Skippers. (still waiting for a Zabulon!).

Sunday was a really slow day for birds and I could not find anything much! This Common Buckeye visited the yard in the afternoon. Not often I get one in the yard.

Peers Wetland has really been dead for birds this year. I visit there several times a week, but without much success. Better for insects I guess! This Common Painted-Lady was on the trail Sunday.

And lots of Lance-tipped Darners!

Seems to be a common theme at Peers!

Today, with the recent north winds, it looked good for a visit to Rondeau. I mainly did south point trail, and it was littered with warblers and vireos. They were moving around a lot, so difficult to stay on. I tallied 17 species of warblers. There were lots of Magnolia and American Redstarts and Black-throated Greens. I missed Canada, but a few Wilson's were around.