Fall Birding and Aurora Borealis Puts on a Show

 A couple of days ago I decided to check out Keith McLean C. L. first thing in the morning.  I ended up staying over four hours since many birds were around!  Lots flying over and some lingering.

There are some good mudflats around presently.

Some shorebirds have finally been consistent there with a variety during my visit.  I caught up with the Long-billed Dowitcher that had been reported the previous day, but it was a bit too far for my measly camera.

I was fairly certain that I saw two first thing, but later on I could only come up with one.  Today there were two!

Both yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers and Wilson's Snipe were working the grounds during my visit.

There were lots of birds in the air and one wonders what all went through.  Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers were streaming through or working the trees on the property.

My first Pine Siskin of the fall flew over, as well as a couple of Purple Finches.

I caught glimpses of the trusty Nelson's Sparrows there as well, but as usual no chance for a photo.

I was about to leave at one point, when the Turkey Vultures started moving in big numbers.  So, I stayed much longer in hopes of seeing something different.   I saw over 700 TV's.

However, there was not much variety in raptors, and certainly a hoped-for Black Vulture never materialized.

I ended up with 58 species there in four hours.

Yesterday, I did not venture far, but started at the south lakeshore trail at Mitchell's Bay.  Not much variety in birds on this crisp and clear morning.  One is always hopeful for something with the calibre of a Sage Thrasher!  Frankly, I am still hopeful of a Varied Thrush showing up there.

Hermit Thrushes have certainly arrived in numbers this week.

After this walk, I decided to head down to St. Clair NWA.  I do not often go there anymore as things have changed from the old days when there was always a good variety of birds there.  However, it always has potential for something interesting.

There was actually a lot of birds, especially sparrows.  Fox Sparrows have arrived in small numbers, as well as White-crowned Sparrows.  Swamp was the sparrow of the day with the 37 seen or heard along the way.

White-crowned Sparrow on the fence

Always a chance for a Nelson's Sparrow there as well, but it was not to be.  I have only seen one there, and it was at the end of December a number of years ago (running around on the ice)!

Some Sandhill Cranes were around.  These are quite regular at St. Clair anymore.

Common Buckeyes are everywhere, and this place was no exception.

Later on in the morning I went for a walk at Peers Wetland.  A late Least Skipper caught my eye at one point.

Insects in the few flowers that remain, included this Perennial Mason Wasp which is classified as imperiled in Ontario.

Today, you guessed it, I went down to Rondeau Park.  Not the best wind, but a stiff WSW wind was blowing and I was hopeful something of interest would show during a lakewatch.  Yet again, nothing of interest at dog beach.  I do not get it!

Afterwards, I walked south point trail east, then the north end of Harrison.  Yellow-rumped Warblers have arrived in numbers, as there were lots.  Perhaps we may find an "Audubon's" again this year!

Other warblers included Tennessee, Pine, Blackpoll (2), Bay-breasted (2) and Black-throated Blue (2)

Pine Warbler in a deciduous tree

Black-throated Blue Warbler (F) sticking it out

A few Blue-headed Vireos were around, but no all-gray ones.

Last night, the Aurora Borealis lit up the northern sky.  One needs to get away from the city/town lights to get the full effect, as some neighbours are obsessed with leaving lights on!

However, after 22:00h, I looked out my window and saw something happening.  It did not look like much to the naked eye, but using one's cell phone in night mode makes a difference.

Here are a couple of from my window here in Wallaceburg.

Keep your eyes to the sky, as you never know what you will see.

UFO

Sparrow Hunting and More Insects

 This past Friday I decided to check out Forest Lagoons.  This place has often been a hotspot for birds of various sorts.  Used to be good for shorebirds, but it has grown in too much and water levels are a bit on the high side.  This time of year it is good for sparrows.

I had the notion to look for the more secretive type such as LeConte's and Nelson's, which no doubt will be renamed in the future!  Both have been seen here in the past.

I spent the better part of two hours there, but despite a valiant effort, I did not turn up either species.   Getting to be too much phragmites as well!

There were lots of other sparrows, especially Song and Swamp.  Some warblers included Palm.  This one posed for a time.

Heading back homeward, I stopped by Marthaville Habitat for lunch break as I often do.  Not many birds there.

The last stop was at Moore Wildlife Habitat Area which I have avoided all summer.  This year it was too grown-in and wet and the river too high due to all the rain.  However, it was fairly accessible now that vegetation is dying down, but the river was running a bit high.  The area near the river has been known for a thick forest of ragweed in the past.  However, this year there is none due to all the flooding!

Some mussels were along the bank.

Deertoe

Giant Floater

Saturday it was Rondeau bound.  Birding was a bit better than the previous visit with more warblers and sparrows.  Lots of Bonaparte's Gulls were on the move, but par for the course for Rondeau, nothing was with them.

Here is a plant in the dunes area called False Indigo Bush, as far as I can tell.  It is fairly uncommon here, and listed as imperiled in Canada.  (photos taken along a trail)

I later stopped by Keith McLean C. L.  where many birders eventually came along looking for an elusive Nelson's Sparrow.  One just has to be in the right place at the right time for those most of the time.  Luckily, I managed to see two different ones.

Sometimes they can be co-operative for photos, but often not.  This is what happens when one is not quick enough with the camera!  You can see the orange though.

Not as many butterflies this day, probably due to the wind, but this Peck's Skipper was the path.  Getting late for them.

Sunday  I had no clue what to do, but since there was a decent SW wind, I decided to head to Rondeau and do a lakewatch.  It was very disappointing as not much was moving.  Some ducks were though to keep up interest.

There was a nice sunrise to start.

Birding the rest of the day was a bust....just not much around.  So, I went for a long walk at Reid CA.

Here are some insects.

Common Buckeye (lots!)

Common Checkered-Skipper

Bare-winged Aphideater (new for me!)

These are not identified to species, but there are hundreds of them around right now.

Long-tailed Aphideater Complex

Thick-legged Hoverfly

It was quite windy, so very difficult to focus on these little insects.  This one no specifically nailed down to species, but is a fly.

Neocyptera

Monday, it was all Lambton birding as I went to Dow Wetlands, then Perch Creek Habitat.  Both places are good for sparrows, and there was no shortage of them.  Any bird I saw was too active or unco-operative to get photos!

Way at the back of Perch Creek I managed to get a quick look at a Nelson's Sparrow.  So, not a total loss.

Butterflies included Common Buckeye.  This time of year we often see the "red" form, which is neat.

I stopped by Nicholl's at Wilkesport before getting home.  With the cooler day, there were fewer insects.

Today I did not venture far, checking out Peers Wetland first thing.

No sap on this tree!

Quite a few sparrows, but nothing I wanted.  I once saw a Nelson's here a few years ago though, so there is potential.

White-crowned Sparrow

It was then off to Brander Park at Port Lambton, where there were a fair number of birds.  Quite a few Tree Swallows were near or over the lagoons.  As well, a few late Northern Rough-winged Swallows were mixed in.

Next walk was at W. Darcy McKeough CA.  A fair number of birds, but I could not come up with anything of note.  Always a chance of LeConte's there too, but I have never had one there despite all the years trying.

I went for another walk at Peers in the afternoon, but it was virtually birdless!  Amazing how things change from morning to afternoon.

I photographed this wasp.  Comes up as Catskill Potter Wasp on iNaturalist, something new for me.  Nobody has confirmed it though.

The days are getting too short......

Oblique Things and Sightings of Late

 Nothing too earth-shattering this week.  I have been looking at insects lately, and today especially, there was a multitude of butterflies.

With asters in bloom, many little insects have been attracted to the flowers.  Oblique Streaktails have been plentiful.

Oblique Streaktail at Peers

Oblique Streaktail at Rondeau

Yesterday, I came across another insect with oblique in its name.  An Oblique-banded Pond Fly was at Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport.

Some other insects:

Bramble Mason Wasp 

flower fly sp.

This past Monday afternoon was nice enough to go for a long walk at Reid CA.  I encountered three Royal River Cruisers, certainly the latest I have seen them.

getting worn!

Some butterflies included Silver-spotted Skippers and Common Buckeyes which are very abundant this year.

Common Painted-Lady

And the tiny things:

Tufted Globetail

Of course, a mussel shell cannot go un-noticed along the way.

Giant Floater

Tuesday I was interested in the long walk out Rondeau Park's marsh trail.  I went as far as Long Pond, a familiar 11 km round trip.

It was interesting, with lots of birds, but nothing unusual.  I had hopes of finding a Nelson's Sparrow, but despite a valiant effort, I came up empty on that front!

Several birds tripped the eBird filter, including Swamp Sparrow where I tallied 120.  

Wilson's Snipe kept popping up with at least 31 seen.

Quite a few Marsh Wrens are still around.  I saw/heard at least 20.

There were not too many warblers, but Palm seemed to be the most numerous.  Among various species, there was Orange-crowned and Ovenbird.

There were a few butterflies including Least Skipper.

And, just as I was leaving the trail, a Fiery Skipper caught my eye at a bad angle.

I checked Keith McLean C. L. before going home.  No Nelson's Sparrow seen!

Yesterday, I stayed fairly close to home, but did not find anything to write home about.  I went for a walk at Peers Wetland, and in the afternoon, a pleasant walk at Wilkesport.

Lots of flower flies, and the following one was very numerous. However, it is too difficult to ID as to species.

flower fly sp.

Tufted Globetail

Common Whitetail (F)

Today, seemed like a good day to go to Rondeau.  I had anticipations of a good lakewatch at dog beach, but not too much was seen.  Better days ahead no doubt!

I then walked south point trail (east), but found few birds.  However, there was  crazy number of sulphurs and Common Buckeyes, among other butterflies.  Probably saw close to 40 Buckeyes!

It as then off to Keith McLean C. L. to see what was around.  I met Steve there, and we looked for Nelson's Sparrows to no avail.  There is not as much good habitat this year it seems.

After Steve left, I ate my lunch, then decided to go for another walk.  It was successful!  Although not a close look in good light, I came up with my first Nelson's Sparrow of the year.

This area was also littered with Common Buckeye, sulphurs, and others.  This Bronze Copper caught my eye at one point.

There are probably some interesting days ahead with birding, as I like October!

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the yard