Mid Summer Rambles

Last Saturday I visited several spots, starting with Forest Lagoons.  Forest is the "go-to" place in the area for shorebirds, although Bright's Grove has some habitat as well.

I spent quite a bit of time there just seeing common migrants.  A number of Semipalmated Plovers were present.

The birds are not all that close, but a scope is essential.

I then headed south to Skunk's Misery.  Things are rather quiet now as one would expect, but I did find several Hooded Warblers.  One was even singing.
Nearby Wardsville Woods was on the agenda as well.  I like checking it out for butterflies this time of year.

Red-spotted Purple

not a butterfly!

I have been looking more at moths of late.  There are lots out there when you get looking!  I have no idea what this one is:

There is the demonstration plot for prairie flowers.

Cylindrical Blazing Star

The little pond at the back is worth checking.  There is a single Cardinal Flower that grows there each year.

After Wardsville, I thought I might as well check Blenheim lagoons.  There were lots of shorebirds (150+) in the sprinklers cells, but most were Semipalmated Sandpipers.  I tried for Western, but not even a Baird's was amongst them.  It was about a year ago we had a Western at Blenheim.

This week I took some late day walks locally.  Dukes' Skippers are still kicking around at Reid not wanting to get into focus.

Today I found a few as well, but they are getting worn.

I even found a very worn hairstreak which appears to be Banded.  Possibly the latest I have had at Reid.

Giant Swallowtails are having a good summer in SW Ontario.

Some other butterflies were out and about.

Question Mark

Great Spangled Fritillary

I did see one Broad-winged Skipper in the sedges, rather distant.

Monkey Flower