May Birding (and butterflies)

ground Scarlet Tanager!

I have been on the go since early Saturday morning.  No laptop, etc., so blog was on vacation too!
Weather was good on the weekend and so were the birds.  At Rondeau on Saturday, it was a great day with lots of birds.  No rarities, but good to just observe a good variety.  Rondeau Road had perhaps 600 warblers, and tally for the day was 24 warbler species.  I spotted a Mourning, good for the early date, as well as a Canada (female).  Perhaps two Hooded Warblers were along the road.

We saw all six regular vireos, lots of Scarlet Tanagers, lots of Lincoln's Sparrows.  A Clay-colored Sparrow was along Water Street and I also heard one in the campground.  A neat find was a pair of Whip-poor-will's that got up as we were walking along Rondeau Rd.

Clay-colored Sparrow

At Blenheim Lagoons, a pair of Wilson's Phalaropes was showing off.

I ended up with 134 species for the day-fairly good for not trying to see as many birds as possible!
Butterflies were out in force, including about 450 American Painted-Lady, and 6 Buckeye among others.

Common Buckeye

Sunday was a bit slower as some birds had left and nothing new came in.  However, we finally did see Indigo Buntings and Swainson's Thrushes for the year.  An interesting hybrid Blue-winged Golden-winged Warbler was near south point trail.  It essentially looked like a Blue-winged but with gold wing bars.
Butterflies included the usuals plus a Little Sulphur at McGeachy Pond.

Litttle Sulphur

In mid afternoon I slid over to Point Pelee and took a quick walk along West Beach Trail.  Not many butterflies, but I was happy to find a Dainty Sulphur!  (also a Little Sulphur near it).

Dainty Sulphur!

There has been an amazing influx of southern butterflies including the Dainty and even Sleepy Orange.
I saw an Eared Grebe off the west side while on the west beach.

At Hillman Marsh in the evening, I saw the pair of Wilson's Phalaropes and also 3 Little Gulls that came in for about ten minutes.  Hundreds of Dunlin among others as well.

Monday morning was a washout, but the afternoon turned out nice.  I ended up with 22 species of warblers including Cerulean (heard only), Orange-crowned, etc.  Lots of Tennessee Warblers were singing--something we usually hear more of later in the month.

Orange-crowned Warbler

A rufous morph Eastern Screech-owl was of interest in Tilden's Woods.
Later in the afternoon I went over to Hillman to see the 5 American Avocets.  Been about 3 years since I have seen that species!  Also present was a Long-billed Dowitcher.

Tuesday started out a little drizzly, but there were lots of birds, especially warblers.  I started at the Tip and walked up the main road and had about 20 species of warblers.  Included were 2 Blackpoll, and once again many Tennessee and Northern Parula.

Northern Parula!

I managed to get a good look at the Cerulean Warbler in Tilden's Woods after lunch,  As well, the Screech-owl was still seen.

Since it was warm and sunny I trekked over to West Beach Trail and saw several Little Sulphurs.  On the way back I counted 16.  But, of note were 3 Dainty Sulphurs together at the half way point!  I had another farther up the trail.

Two of them!

As well, there was another Dainty heading north at the south end of Northwest Beach.
I never did get a Sleepy Orange!

American Snout Butterfly