Some Weekend Observations

 Saturday I went down to the Blenheim and Erieau area.  I started at Blenheim lagoons to look at the numerous shorebirds.  They were extremely skittish, so difficult to get on and keep track!  Nothing new, but an apparent "Western" Solitary Sandpiper was present.  It was reported the previous day.

It is not hugely different than the regular sandpiper, but there are some subtle differences. It is possible we have over-looked these in the past, but some have been recorded from time to time in Ontario.  I never got a photo though!  Too skittish!

I did get a photo of a regular Solitary Sandpiper.

A Red-necked Phalarope was present as well.  Always nice to see.

I moved on down to McGeachy Pond, where a number of warblers had stopped on their journey south.  Several species.

Over at the Marsh Trail, more warblers were present, some different than across the road.  Several Cape May and Blackburnian were working the willows.

A nice find was an Olive-sided Flycatcher.  One of my favourite!

Last stop was Keith McLean C. L.  A few shorebirds there.  I looked for butterflies, but there were not many.  I did find several Bronze Coppers.

One Fiery Skipper also caught my eye.

I was not too ambitious this day, so I went home!

Today, I had no idea what to do, but headed east and ended up at Wardsville Woods.  It was an overcast day, but at least the predicted rain did not materialize (no surprise).  The odd warbler was present, including four Bay-breasted Warblers.  Not the best photo...

It was not a good day for insects, but I did see this Common Buckeye.

On my mind was Smoky Rubyspot, since this is about the time of year they appear.  I stopped by Tecumseh Monument park near Thamesville. I managed to see only one, but that was good enough!

Lots of American Rubyspots were around, but no other Smoky.

I looked at mussels while there.  Lots to see.  Pimpleback seems to be the most common there.

This Week's Observations: August 7-12

 Things are picking up, not only with fall bird migration, but butterflies and dragonflies.

I was out to Reid CA late Wednesday for a long walk around the back field, and found some Royal River Cruisers.  I got a decent photo of one, and it was good enough to be Observation of the Week on Project Dragonfly on iNaturalist!!  See Post:

Project Dragonfly / Projet Libellule wrote a new post

Observation of the Week: royal river cruiser

This week's feature is a royal river cruiser, photographed and logged by iNaturalist user burgbirder in southern Ontario. The royal river cruiser is a large dragonfly that likes to fly fast, low patrols over open water and sunny pathways.

Show your support by liking and commenting on this Observation of the Week on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and follow us to learn more about Project Dragonfly and other iNaturalist projects.

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Last Sunday afternoon, I went back to Reid CA for a walk (always my go-to place!).  The Great Blue Skimmers were still present.

Other species to look at too.

female Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Some lingering Dukes' Skippers were still messing around.

Earlier that day, I went to Blenheim lagoons to look at shorebirds.  There were lots, and in fact more than I have seen in a long time!  However, no rarities.

Another batch of Common Ringlets are out, as well as other species.  Viceroy butterflies are numerous at Peers Wetland.

One has to keep looking at the little blue butterflies, just in case.  Eastern Tailed-Blue is plentiful right now.

Today I went to Point Pelee to look for butterflies.  As usual I arrive too early, so I looked for birds!  It was a very good day for fall migrants, especially warblers.  The northerly winds the last two days certainly pushed them on.

I saw at least twelve species of warblers.  There were lots of Cape May, and Blackburnian was the most numerous with at least 15.  I spent the first hour at De Laurier.

Things started to warm up as I arrived at Sparrow Field.  Green Darners were the ode of the day with dozens of them through out the park.  There were other species, and I am pretty sure I caught sight of a Great Blue Skimmer at one point.

I did  not go much past the solar panel near the Tip, then headed up west beach trail.  My goal was to see a Little Yellow, but that never materialized!👎

I found a Common Painted-Lady at the Tip parking lot, I think a first one this year for me.

Near the "serengeti" tree, I found a large duskywing.  I was pretty sure Horace's, but had to wait till I got home to study the photo, lol.

Two worn Fiery Skippers were farther up the trail.

I stopped by Hillman marsh to walk around the shorebird cell.  Some checkered-skippers were seen.

A few Peck's Skippers as well.

But, no rarities!

By this time, I was whipped from all the walking!  Headed home.

In the garden was a Peck's and a Common Sootywing.

Boatnerd Note:

WILLIAM E. COREY sailed from Chicago on her maiden voyage August 12, 1905, bound for Duluth, Minnesota to load iron ore. She later became b.) RIDGETOWN in 1963. Used as a breakwater in Port Credit, Ontario, in 1974, and is still there.

Warblers, Hudwits and More (or less)

 For the rest of my week off, I spent some time at Rondeau and other places.  A couple of lakewatches were not too productive, but the woods had a fair number of migrants.  Nothing too noteworthy but nice to see some warblers.  Several Cape May were at the start of marsh trail.

Lots of hummingbirds are heading southward, occasionally stopping at feeders along the way.

I went for a walk at Hillman Marsh as well.  The shorebird cell now has water in it, so should be checked.  No noteworthy shorebirds on my visit though.

Sandhill Cranes

One area was littered with checkered skippers.

Saturday was not too productive as it rained all morning.  I took advantage of that time to finally get a new cell phone!

Sunday I went back to Rondeau.  There was a good pocket of warblers farther along south point trail.  This Northern Parula co-operated nicely.

Magnolia Warbler

American Redstart

It is time to look for Nelson's Sparrows, so I checked out McLean C. L.  No luck.  Lots of Common Checkered Skippers and Bronze Coppers were around on Sunday.

The past number of days, an exceptional number of Hudsonian Godwits had set down in southwestern Ontario.  Middlesex County did well!  I was not going home on Sunday without seeing some, so I went up to Glencoe to view the twelve that were east of the village.  Lighting was no good and they were not too close.

Last year, we had some at McLean's.  There is suitable habitat presently due to the excessive rain this past week, but none have shown up there yet.  Here is one from last year:

"Hudwit"

This one was in early November, so lots of time to see more!

Balmy Birding and Mo(o)re Mussels

 As this wacky weather continues, I do get out from time to time.  It has not always been enjoyable in the oppressive heat and hoardes of mosquitoes.

Last Sunday afternoon I went back up to Moore WMA to look along the riverbank.  Nothing new in mussels, but they always interest me.

Pink Heelsplitter

Deertoe

Mapleleaf

Wednesday I was having a bad day, so left work at noon and went down to Rondeau.  There was a good selection of warblers to be found.  Black Oak trail, not often birded, was actually quite good.  However, one could not enjoy the stay due to mosquitoes.  Certainly the worst summer I have ever experienced for mosquitoes!

Evening walks at Peers Wetland is something to do after supper.

Slender Spreadwing

Least Skipper

Today, I went down to Rondeau and spent quite a bit of time.  South Point was somewhat quiet, with very few warblers.  Lots of flycatchers and vireos though.

I checked out Tulip tree trail as well.  Several waterthrushes, including one I believe was a Louisiana.  There were lots of waterthrushes today.

I decided to go out marsh trail as well.  I have not been out there since May!  The vegetation has grown in tremendously, and even a couple of spots difficult to walk.  Nature is reclaiming the trail!

Chestnut-marked Pond Moth

It was a good choice, as there were lots of birds compared to SPT.  Cape May Warblers were having a good day, as I saw several of them in certain areas.

My favourite vireo was present as well.  Philadelphia Vireos are quite attractive.

I added several other species to the day's list out the trail.

Scarlet Tanager

It was getting late in the morning by the time I returned to the car, so I headed out towards Thamesville. I wanted to check the river bank at the Tecumseh Monument for Smoky Rubyspots.  A few were there, plus the numerous American Rubyspots.

The river was low enough that I checked a shallow area for mussels.  There were lots there, some rather old.  One can get a few different species here compared to Moore WMA.  Elktoe and Pimpleback were numerous.  Last year I recall finding a Purple Wartyback.

Here are some:

Elktoe

Pimpleback

Flutedshell

Elktoe

Mapleleaf

Elktoe

This one I was not sure: