End of August Stuff

Not much in the way of rain lately.  We got it all early in the summer!  Sunday evening there was a bit of rain.  Caught sight of this rainbow at home.

 This past Monday, a decent NW wind was blowing so I went up to Kettle Point.  It was slow for birds, but at least we did see a distant jaeger.  Likely a Long-tailed based on behaviour.  It is early in the season, so hopefully lots of good days ahead.

I visited Ipperwash and Karner Blue Sanctuary, but it was dead for everything!

Curious chickadee

Lots of sand up that way!  Big Sand Tiger Beetles feel at home.

Stopped by Marthaville Habitat on the way back for a lunch break.  It is nice in August, as there are prairie-type flowers that have been planted there.

Some insects were seen along the way.

Spotted Spreadwing

Festive Tiger Beetle

Slaty Skimmer

Four-banded Stink Bug Wasp

Tuesday I went down to Rondeau Park.  It was very quiet for birds!  Nothing to photograph.

Wednesday morning I checked out the south trail at Mitchell's Bay.  Finally, there were lots of birds as I spent over two hours there.  Highlight was a flyover Yellow-headed Blackbird, not unexpected in this locale.

Still no good herons...

In the afternoon, I went for a walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  Some insects:

Spined Macrathena (spider)

Lance-tipped Darner

Tawny-edged Skipper

Many Peck's Skippers, which are plentiful right now.

Reid has been deathly quiet for birds of late.  Indigo Buntings nested there in a couple of spots.

Thursday I checked out some local spots.  It was, and has been, dead for migrants!  Only warblers I saw were two Magnolia at Peers Wetland.

Friday, I figured it would be good at Rondeau.  I first stopped at Keith McLean C. L. to check out the shorebirds.  Basically the same things.  Many took off for no apparent reason just as I arrived,  Included were likely the Hudsonian Godwit and a couple of Wilson's Phalaropes since I did not seen them.

On to Rondeau Park and south point trail....  Surprisingly, it was dead for warblers! 

I walked back the beach to look at gulls. There were quite a few, including a juvenile Herring that was banded.  Upon further investigation, this individual was banded on a roof in Port Clinton Ohio earlier this year.  It was observed always begging for food, and quite tame.  Named "Beggar", it was last seen there July 20.

At one point, it conveniently lifted its leg for photographic purposes!

Later, when I got back to the parking lot, a flurry of activity ensued.  There were lots of warblers, as Steve and I chased them around.  An early Blue-headed Vireo was a nice find.

Along the forest edge of south point, there were lots of Monarchs roosting.

This worn Spicebush Swallowtail was among them.

Today was very cool.  Figured it would be good at Mitchell's Bay....and it was!  There were lots of very active warblers and vireos.  Many I could not ID as they were quite flighty.  Highlight was a Prairie Warbler high in the trees.  These seem easier to get in the fall migration.

Quite a few flycatchers, including this Great-crested.

No unusual heron types!

Green Heron

This afternoon was too nice to stay at home, so I went up to Reid C. L. for a long walk.  Very dead for birds (did hear a Common Raven calling to make things interesting). 

Just the usual insects.

Silver-spotted Skipper

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Orange Sulphur

Eastern Comma

Autumn is pretty much here....unfortunately.  However, always a good chance for some interesting birds.