Recent Wildlife Sightings

Dawn at Mitchell's Bay

 This past week I have been to my usual haunts.  No ambition to travel any distance! The trail at Mitchell's Bay has been fairly good first thing in the morning with some very active passerines and other birds.

Still nothing unusual, but nice to sort through all the birds.

Magnolia Warbler

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Philadelphia Vireo

Wilson's Warbler

Green Heron

Been to Rondeau a couple of times as well on some nice mornings.  First visit was a bit quiet for birds.

Beach Scene near the washout

Yesterday I walked out Rondeau's marsh trail to the half way point. It was not as birdy as I had expected!  I needed the exercise anyway.......

Palm Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Some of the more numerous birds were Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Northern Flickers.

I have seen quite a few small kettles of Broad-winged Hawks over the house lately.  Some years I never see any, but this year seems to be good.  This photo was a quickie through the window was this morning when I happened to look out.

With the lack of rain the past month, water levels are quite low, and vegetation is certainly struggling.  Roberta Stewart Wetland level is low for a change.  I probably should check it more often since I have had some good birds there in the past.

This morning there were three Solitary Sandpipers and a Sora visible on the mud, but not close.

As usual, I have kept an eye out for insects at various locations, including the yard.

Locust Borer

Perennial Mason Wasp (uncommon)

Arcigera Flower Moth

Dingy Cutworm Moth

Red-legged Grasshopper (had a red leg anyway!)

Ailanthus Webworm moth

Differential Grasshopper (vulnerable)

Chinese  Praying Mantis

Pitted Mason Wasp (assumed)

Thick-legged Hover Fly (non-native)

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Sparganothis Fruitworm Moth

Eastern Comma

Symmorphus canadensis (maybe!)

Eastern Tailed-blue times two

Silver-spotted Skipper

The Ontario Field Ornithologist convention is coming up this weekend, so perhaps something of interest will turn up.  Nice to have it close to home, especially this year!