Tuesday Tidbits

I stopped by Reid CA for a brief look after work today for about 15 minutes.  A few butterflies were working the Indian Hemp.  I finally saw a couple of Edwards' Hairstreaks this time.

A few Banded were around too.

I also saw one rather worn Southern Hairstreak, more appropriately called a Northern Oak Hairstreak.

Lots of Northern Broken-Dash were finally flying.

Monkey Flower is about to bloom, but I came across this jewelweed (Spotted Touch-me-not) which is really nice upon close inspection.

Weather was about perfect today, and it was a beautiful morning.  I stop by Stewart Wetland each morning, as habitat is excellent for shorebirds.  Southbound shorebirds included 3 Lesser Yellowlegs and a couple of Least Sandpipers.
On of these days, something good has to show up!

Lambton Crop Tour June 24

Early Morning Dickcissel

Today I decided to tour around south Lambton County to look for birds and butterflies.  Of course, Dickcissels were everywhere.  Is this the biggest invasion ever or what?  I encountered a couple along Lambton Line east of Kimball Road, previously unreported.

I zig-zagged through the county roads, passing by the McCallum Line Dickcissels. I then worked my way north.  The Loggerhead Shrike was a one-day wonder (June 13) I guess, as nobody has found it again.
Dickcissels were in a few spots along Stanley needless to say.
I eventually wound up on Ladysmith Line and at the north end there were some more Dickcissels.  Also immediately to the west along LaSalle Line.
I was due for a walk at Dow Wetlands along LaSalle Line just west of highway 40.  Here I found a couple of Upland Sandpipers--a usual sighting here.  Good to know some are here this year.

Naturally, there were Dickcissels here too!  I found at least six.

Beside Doug's Lookout (pond), I was watching another Dickcissel.  After five minutes a female popped up right there, so I assume it was constructing a nest.

I stopped beside Bickford Oak Woods, and at the corner of Bickford Line and highway 40 were at least two more Dickcissels.  One was right at the parking lot for BOW.  A very poor photo was taken.

I see that a famous Sarnia birder ventured into BOW early this morning.  I was tempted to go into this mosquito-ridden swamp, but could not muster up the courage.  Deryl Nethercott did find a Hooded Warbler--a decent record for the area.

I stopped by Moore WMA, but after the torrential rains of yesterday, the river was running very high.  So, no big walk there.

Down Waubuno Road near the curve at Black Creek Line, was yet another Dickcissel.  I did not stop to see how many were there.

This time of year, a stop at Reid CA is mandatory.  Hairstreaks are now coming out!  Late yesterday I found the first Southern (Northern Oak) Hairstreak.  Weather was not ideal yesterday though.

Friday

Also, the first Banded Hairstreak.....

Today, I found four or five 'Oaks', but only a couple Banded.

Some Long Dash and Peck's were in the mix.

Long Dash (worn)

Peck's Skipper

While other butterflies are scarce, European Skippers seem to be the most numerous I have seen them in a long time.

A fresh Great-spangled Fritillery was along the path..

Appalachian Browns are also out, but I never got a photo of one today.

I also stopped by McKeough CA.  Numerous Delaware Skippers were in the floodway.

I also found one each of American Painted-Lady and Common Painted-Lady.

'Tis the season!

Friday Outing

I was off work early this afternoon and decided to stop at Reid CA.  I had hopes in finding Dukes' Skippers, but they were not present.  Usually they have been out for a week by this time, but hopefully a few will show soon.

Hairstreaks are on the downswing, but I found a few.   Right off the bat I found a Southern (Oak) Hairstreak.  It is getting very late for them, so it was nice to see.

Latest I have seen one is July 10 (2009) at Reid, other than the one at Walpole Island last year on July 11.


A few Banded and Edwards' were seen today as well.

Edwards' Hairstreak

I found this Banded being predated by a spider.  Often we see this. I have seen the Southerns in this scenario as well!

It has been a horrible year for finding dragonflies.  Late yesterday I went for a walk up at McKeough CA.  The only one I saw was an Eastern Amberwing!

Flag-tailed Spinylegs should be out, but I have not seen one yet.  Perhaps tomorrow.

Regarding other butterflies, Great-spangled Fritillaries are doing very well this year, as are Appalachian Browns.  Today I saw many of each at Reid.

No Bear Here!

Bears are on the loose!  Apparently one was seen around McKeough earlier this week, assuming it is valid.  (I find it amazing how some people can describe things that really do not exist!).

A while back, I found this family of mink at St. Clair NWA scurrying around.

Sarnia Grassland Birds and More Hairstreaks

On Tuesday, an outing was scheduled to tour the Sarnia solar farm, something I could not pass up.  It was not to look at solar panels, but to look at bird life!  There are extensive grasslands that have attracted many species of birds--some of which are rare for our area.

Larry Cornelis led the field trip through the blocks of solar panels and open areas.  Larry has a contract to survey for birds on the Enbridge-owned site.  The people at Enbridge were more than happy to have people come in and see what was going on with regards to the natural features within the property.  Besides the grassland, there is a woodlot, a couple of ponds and prairie plantings.
The Sarnia solar farm was once the largest in North America.  On an average day it can power the city of Sarnia (excluding Chemical Valley).

With several hundred acres of grassland type habitat, many birds are attracted to the area. Last week during a survey, Larry found Clay-colored Sparrows in two separate locations, Dickcissels along the old landfill, and a healthy number of Grasshopper Sparrows among countless Savannah Sparrows and others.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Clay

We took more than three hours touring the sites on both sides of Blackwell Road.   Our first stop found one or two Clay-colored Sparrows.  There are small spruce trees in the one area which this species likes.  I attempted a digiscope photo, but it was just too windy to hold camera still!
Grasshopper Sparrows were all around.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Our next stop was along the border of the old Blackwell Landfill.  Here, Larry found 3 Dickcissels last week.  Upon our arrival we could hear a male singing, but it remained unseen.  I soon found it perched atop thistle.  In fact I think there were up to three birds there.  It soon came closer for good views perched in a dead ash tree.  I attempted a digiscope photo.  (I only had my Canon G16 on hand).

It was a lifer for some (as was the Clay), so all were happy.

Garter Snake with full crop

We went over to the west side of the road and found another spot where Clay-colored was likely nesting.
With so little grassland left in the area, this site is very important.  It would likely be farmland if not for the solar farm.

Today, I see a report of at least 4 Dickcissels by J.B. at the old landfill.  Not surprising, as there is suitable habitat and it was only a few years ago that several nested there.

Today after work I stopped at Reid CA.  It is certainly a good year for hairstreaks (it appears they like dry weather!), as they were all over the place.  In short order I found 5 Southern (Northern Oak) Hairstreaks (one being very dead!).

Shy Oak Hairstreak

There were numerous Banded, several Edwards' and one Hickory.  There are lots of Hickory trees at Reid, but Hickory is in fact difficult to find there.

Edwards' Hairstreak

Banded Hairstreak

No sign of any Dukes' Skippers yet, but perhaps the dry year has some bearing.

Looking for Insects

With the combination of a slow afternoon at work and a fabulous day weather-wise, I left work an hour early and went for a walk at Reid and McKeough Conservation Areas.
Lots of butterflies and dragonflies are now out (not to mention ticks!) and many plants are coming into bloom.  Highly attractive to butterflies, Indian Hemp is now just coming out.

Reid CA is a nice place to look for butterflies, especially in late June and early July.  Knowing that hairstreaks are about to show around this time, I kept a keen eye open for them.
I saw the first Appalachian Brown today at Reid.

There were other skippers including Long Dash, Peck's, Least and of course European.  Some worn Hobomok were still out.

Least Skipper

Peck's Skipper

Euro Skipper

Silver-spotted  Skippers were plentiful.

While watching a patch of Indian Hemp, I caught sight of a dark butterfly....a hairstreak!  I only saw it briefly before it vanished, but indeed it was a Southern (Northern Oak) Hairstreak.  Unfortunately it did not re-appear, but it is early for hairstreaks.
This represents the earliest I have seen a Southern since my discovery of the colony in 2008.  Last year I saw two on June 19--the earliest date at the time.

In 2010, the first hairstreaks were on June 18:  Edwards' and Banded.

After spending almost an hour and being bitten by many deer flies, I headed up to McKeough Dam. Walking through the spillway to the river, I accumulated many Wood Ticks!
At the river, a dragonfly caught my eye and it appeared to be an emerald. I assumed it to be a Mocha, but Williamson's has been recorded on the north Sydenham apparently.  It may be a bit early for a Mocha, but I do not know much about them.  I only had the Canon G16, but attempted a photo.

Mocha Emeralds were first discovered around 2003 along the north branch of the Sydenham and can be found in many locations.

Also along the riverbank were several Pronghorn Clubtails.

In other news, the collared Mute Swan we saw on the St. Clair River last February has been identified! Thanks to Mike Bouman who sent in the collar number, we found out that it was captured up on Saginaw Bay, Michigan.
The swan that you reported (M031) was captured and banded in August of 2015 near Charity Island on Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron (PDF map attached).  You are the first individual to report a sighting of this particular swan since its capture in 2015.  Thank you for your report.

We saw the bird at Cathcart Park, then a few days later at Guthrie Park, Corunna.

Looks like a good weekend to be out......!