Monday I stayed fairly local. I checked out the pond at Brander Park, Port Lambton first thing. In the past, this has been a great spot for insects. Need to check it more often!
I was rather early in the day, so there was not much activity, but I did find a decent species of bluet. These appeared to be Westfall's Slender Bluet (ssp. of Slender) which is uncommon around here. Perhaps it is more widespread than we know.
Other insects:
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| Narrow-headed Marsh Fly |
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| Swamp Spreadwing |
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| Tule Bluet |
It was such a nice day, I headed up to Reid CA after lunch. I saw a couple of Dukes' Skippers right away.
Some other thing were seen along the trail.
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| Slender Spreadwing |
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| Acanthocephala terminalis |
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| Common Thick-leg Fly |
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| Eastern Tailed-Blue |
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| Grey Treefrog (baby!) |
Broad-winged Skippers were flying, but I still could not get a photo of one!
Yesterday, I had the urge to head up to north Lambton. It was not as productive as I had hoped, but that has been the case in most places this summer.
I started at Ausable River Cut CA. Very few dragonflies, but this Lancet Clubtail briefly posed.
A few skippers were along the river edge.
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| Delaware Skipper |
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| Crossline Skipper |
One spot along the river had a multitude of mussels. Several were in the "rare" category.
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| Wabash Pigtoe ************************************ |
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| Snuffbox ************************************* |
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| Deertoe *********************************** |
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| Mapleleaf |
Three-ridge is quite common here.
Later, I walked L-Lake trail at Port Franks, then headed over to Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales. Mosquitoes were the most common thing!
Walking was very limited as many parts were flooded due to the excessive rain lately.
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| Spicebush Swallowtail |
I even stopped by Forest lagoons, not expecting much. It is not an inviting place for shorebirds this summer with the high water levels! I was hoping to find Variegated Meadowhawk since I had them there in the past, but no luck. Lots of Halloween Pennants.
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| Halloween Pennant |
Another stop was Marthaville Habitat Management Area near Petrolia. As expected, I found Slaty Skimmer there.
Last stop was Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport. There is a little pond at the west edge of the property that few know about, and is good for odes. Lots of variety here, but all common things.
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| Azure Bluet |
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| Familiar Bluet |
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| spreadwing sp. |
Today, I checked out some spots locally first thing. Peers Wetland had a few Great Egrets. One of these days, I may find a Snowy! No Limpkin either.
Along the St. Clair River, a Common Loon and Common Merganser were swimming in Sombra Bay. Occasionally we see these in summer in the area.
Later in the morning, a number of us descended upon a private property near Brigden. It is a fabulous spot for many things, especially insects. Highlight was to see the Dukes' Skippers. They seem to be doing well there, as I saw at least six.
I also spotted a Broad-winged Skipper in the mix. A Mulberry Wing was seen a few days ago, but we did not encounter that one today.
Other insects included a Spotted Spreadwing (I think).
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| Common Thick-leg Fly (seem to be quite common everywhere!) |
Near the end of the walk, I spotted a Royal River Cruiser patrolling the pond!
A nice way to end the morning!
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| Eastern Amberwing |
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