Wheatley/Hillman/Point Pelee Today

With the nice weather, unusual for a weekend, I headed southwest.  First stop was the end of Zion Road  east of Wheatley.  It is one of the better spots (if not the best) to get a look at the lake and see things migrating along the shore.  Also, there is a Dickcissel colony to boot!
I saw a pair of Dickcissels right away.

I did not spend much time there, but the view of the lake was inviting.  I did see at least one Common Loon on the water.

Near Hillman Marsh, 3 Sandhill Cranes were in a field along Mersea Rd. 21.  This is a good spot for shorebirds as well.

Over at Hillman Marsh, I met up with Rick Mayos, who pointed out a couple of Least Bitterns at the bridge on Mersea Road 2.  One was right beside the bridge, giving crippling views!

There were several birds here including Marsh Wrens and a multitude of Bank Swallows.  This weekend has see a big influx of Bank Swallows.

The other bittern was across the open water.

On to Point Pelee, I was interested in looking for butterflies and dragonflies.  The numbers were not there, but there was enough to keep one interested.  Giant Swallowtails were quite numerous today.
I concentrated on the west beach footpath from West Beach to the Tip.

Common Buckeye

Highlight was an Olive Hairstreak.  They seem to be more and more difficult to find anymore.

They have two broods during the year, so this would be the second.

The only two skippers were a Northern Broken-Dash and a Dun Skipper.

Dun Skipper

No photos of odes, but Common Green Darner was most plentiful.  There were lots of Twelve-spotted Skimmers, some Blue Dashers, Common Whitetails, and a couple of Wandering Gliders among others like Black Saddlebags and Ruby Meadowhawk.

On the way back, I stopped to walk around the shorebird cell at Hillman.  No Dickcissels!  Many have gone quiet or dispersed by now, yet some are still nesting elsewhere.
Leps were few, but I did see a couple of Common Checkered-Skippers.

Common Checkered-Skipper on clover

Bank Swallows were plentiful here as well.  The wires beside the cell were laden with them.  Perhaps 400+!

Here we are at the end of July already......soon it will be time to see lots of warblers, etc.

Common Painted-Lady on burgemot

Pelee Party

The nice weather continued into the weekend.  Today was a bit on the warm side, but finally we had a nice weekend as many things were happening.

A few weeks ago an August 10 get-together was planned by Kory Renaud at Point Pelee and Kingsville for many of the regulars (No LLB's) who visit Pelee.  A number of us met early Saturday morning for a day in the park.
Migration of passerines has been slow to get going, but a few of those and others were around.  A Canada Warbler at Sparrow Field, a couple of Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Northern Waterthrushes and a Swainson Thrush were noted on Saturday.
Common Loons are now showing up as three were seen flying by the Tip area.
Of course gulls and terns and ducks are on the move, but nothing too notable was seen.  Shorebirds are here and there as well.

A few took canoes or kayaks out the Pelee marsh later in the afternoon, and found a number of shorebirds, but nothing unusual.

From the Tip, we walked up west beach trail looking for butterflies. Few are around this year, but we did find one Olive Hairstreak.  After it nectared on Spotted Knapweed, it alighted on Chris Law's cap!

Only one Common Buckeye was seen, but a couple of Wild Indigo Duskywings were along the west beach.

After a filling lunch at Birdie's Perch (the red bus), we went back into the park and to the Tip area.  While walking up the west side trail, a jaeger was spotted.  I did not get satisfying looks at it, but some others did and Josh Vandermeulen even got a record photo.  It was later concluded to be a subadult Parasitic Jaeger, a rare sight for the date!  One would more likely expect a Long-tailed at this time.

Snout!

Kory and his wife Sarah hosted a spectacular party at their place just west of Kingsville.  It was a warm, calm and clear evening for the event.  After dark around the fire, we could see meteors now and then. Tomorrow is the peak time for the Perseid Meteor Shower, an annual event that astronomy buffs look forward to.

This morning I went into the park early.  It was even quieter than yesterday, but some activity was at the Tip.

Birds on the Shore

More shorebirds were present including Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper and at one point a Greater Yellowlegs flew over.  I pretty much had the Tip to myself for two hours except when the "Sunday" shift arrived.  The others had slept in--something I never do!

Kingbird of the East

Rough-winged Swallows

Swallows were plentiful this weekend and a number of birds attempted to fly off the Tip.

Bank Swallow

Lots of Yellow Warblers are still around, but migrants from the north are now showing up after a late spring.  I found a couple of Northern Waterthrushes on Shuster Trail.  An American Redstart on De Laurier was the only other warbler besides Common Yellowthroat.

Butterflies were even scarcer today it seemed.

Tawny Emperor

Giant Swallowtails were numerous

Perhaps the most notable butterfly was a Fiery Skipper I saw in Kory's backyard.  First and only one I have seen this year!  No photo taken, lol.

Bonus Bird

Headed down to Point Pelee today, as I usually do on the holiday Monday in May.  I first stopped at Hillman Marsh just for the heck of it since lighting was good.  Usual birds.
In the park I started at the Tip where many of the regular birders were stationed.  A bit of a reverse migration was going on but hopes of finding a good bird were rather slim.  Several "Lesser Blue Grosbeaks" were moving but not the big one.  Oh well, it was the start of a fun day.

I walked up west beach trail with Steve Pike and a couple who were visiting. Not many butterflies were out today, but we did get two Olive Hairstreaks.  I finally got a stellar shot of one.  In the past I never got a satisfying photo of one.

At the visitor centre some conversation was had among friends, then Steve and I headed over to West Beach parking lot.  Our intention was to look for butterflies and some birds, but a first stop quickly rewarded us with a Kentucky Warbler!  Although anything can appear when you are out birding, it is not a species I was expecting today.  I had not seen one for a couple of years, so that was a bonus.

We continued on and stopped by the group campground to talk to Michigan birder Mike Fitzpatrick--someone I had heard of but never met before.
Down the trail Steve and I heard a strange sound, something like a toy horn.  I saw movement in the understory and was surprised to find a tiny recently-born White-tailed Deer.  We approached a little closer and found it curled up and sleeping.  I could not get a good photo due to the lens I had.  It was something we had never seen before!

We later walked West Beach Trail at the north end but found only a few birds and butterflies.
I stayed to walk Woodland Trail in hopes of adding Acadian Flycatcher.  It was too late in the day I guess, but a few had been reported today in the park and elsewhere.  I did get a look at the Prothonotary Warbler at the north boardwalk.

darkish Savannah Sparrow on West Beach

Another walk down west beach trail revealed some more Little Sulphurs and two more Olive Hairstreaks.

Little Sulphur or Little Yellow

It was a fun day, although I only added Alder Flycatcher and the Kentucky Warbler to this year's bird list.

Spur of the Moment

I was not sure where to head today, but decided to check Tilbury Lagoon first thing.  I find shorebirds at lagoons seem to be better in the evening, but that never fits my schedule!
Tilbury was rather disappointing.  Very few shorebirds-nothing new.  Three SBD's were the highlight.  Five Caspian Terns (adults) were present.

I decided I might as well go to Point Pelee.  It was good for butterflies, but mostly common stuff.
Giant Swallowtails were very numerous.

I walked west beach south of the VC.  Common Buckeye have certainly moved in compared to previously.  I had at least 30 here.
One of the highlights was a duskywing.  I assume it was Wild Indigo, as it never settled down before I lost it.



Farther down, I was delighted to come across an Olive Hairstreak on Spotted Knapweed.  These are now in their second brood.  Always a treat to see!

I headed back, and went up to De Laurier.  Not much there but a couple of Snout.
Getting close to lunch, I stopped at the Cattail Cafe for a Green Goddess.  Try one, they are good!
While in the neighbourhood, I checked the old parking area of NW Beach.  I was surprised to find a Little Yellow.  First one this year!  (there were too many last year!).

Little Yellow

That got me pumped up, so I went back to the south end of west beach trail.  More Buckeye, etc.
Came across another Olive Hairstreak!  (Now Paul Carter will really be envious).

Snout were out by this time, and I had perhaps a half dozen.

Snout

On the way home, I stopped at Tilbury again, but the same stuff was there.

By the way, I did hear at least one Dickcissel at the weedy field out in the onion fields today.

Canada ? Darner:

Birding Through Midges

Today I went down to Point Pelee for a change.  As usual, something decent showed up at Rondeau--a Fish Crow.  At least I did not need that one for there as we saw the first Rondeau record May 20, 2000.
Photo here courtesy of P. Allen Woodliffe:

Fish Crow, Rondeau P.P. 29 May 2011

(photo by P. Allen Woodliffe)

It was a decent day weather wise.  The weather forecast was totally wrong for today and rain did not come.
Midges were very thick today and annoying, but there were some birds and butterflies to look at.
At the Tip lots of gulls were around including two Lesser Black-backed. 

Note Herring Gull with lure dangling from mouth

Two non-breeding type Common Loons were off the west side.  The only shorebirds were a single Ruddy Turnstone and about 15 Sanderlings.
I heard a Clay-colored Sparrow singing at the Tip.  Looking in the book later I see one was reported yesterday as well.  Speaking of sparrows, Steve Pike and I saw a Field Sparrow with a white tail on West Beach Trail.  Could not get a photo though.
Even better was a Grasshopper Sparrow.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Steve Pike with his keen eye, spotted an Olive Hairstreak in a Red Cedar.  First time I have managed a photo of one.

Along West Beach Trail Steve thought he heard a Yellow-breasted Chat.  I was not convinced, but later I went back and there definitely was one making some noise.

I tallied about 15 species of warblers, mostly Blackpoll.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Butterflies were out including Tiger, Giant and Spicebush Swallowtails, Orange Crescent, Eastern Tailed-Blue, Orange and Clouded Sulphurs, Question Mark, Mourning Cloak, American Lady and Monarch.

Almost forgot, I spotted a Hoary Bat just hanging around....