Blenheim Waders to Mosa Hills Butterflies

Another tour of sorts today for you blog addicts.  With the fine showing of shorebirds at Blenheim yesterday, I started there first thing.  Not quite as many birds present today, and a few took off as I arrived.  However, all the same species were present plus a Black-bellied Plover and a Wilson's Snipe.

I find it a lot of fun to sort through all these birds.

Looked around Erieau too.  Some gulls and terns were at the pier, including about 75 Caspian Terns. (Two flew over the lagoons earlier as well).  Along the R/R track trail, the only notable passerine was a Northern Waterthrush.  A single Black-bellied Plover was in the small onion field (only onion planting this year!).  It looked suspiciously like the one I saw earlier at the lagoons before it took off south.

Next stop was Ridgetown, as it was on the way to the afternoon destination. A Wilson's Snipe was the only new bird there.
After an early lunch, I headed down to Clear Creek an walked around the old gravel pit across from the forest. Potential for insects there.

Calico Pennant

Wood Nymph (saw lots today!)

The main activity for today was an outing at Wardsville by the Thames Talbot Land Trust (TTT) at the old Mosa Hills golfcourse.  It was a small, more natural golf course that was never really successful.  It was recently purchased by the TTT and has now gone natural.  The focus of the outing was butterflies, led by Pete Chapman and Ann White with some ID assistance by myself.



It was quite enjoyable and the participants learned a bit about butterflies.  Giant Swallowtails were common as were Common Ringlets.

Nothing unusual was found, but a good variety was seen.

several spangled frits today

Tawny-edged Skipper