Monday, July 7, 2025

A "Few" More Insects (Plus a Shorebird)

 This past Thursday I ventured into Elgin County for a change in scenery.  I went as far as John E. Pearce Provincial Park where I walked around the Storey Wetland.  It has been good for insects in the past, including Comet Darner which I had discovered some years ago.

I should have known, as there were not many dragonflies, par for the course this year.  There was nothing worth photographing!

This Great Spangled Fritillary posed nicely though.


One of the tiny insects, called a sedgesitter, was tempting to photograph.  They usually face downwards.  A difficult one to identify to species.


It was going to be another hot day, so I headed back west and stopped by the old quarry at Clear Creek.  It was much better for odonates than my previous visits this year, but certainly a far cry from what it usually is.

Alas, I saw a Comet Darner!  This is another location I discovered quite a few years ago, so it was somewhat expected.  These rarely perch, so on-the-fly photographs were attempted.


There were very few bluets, but some "Westfall's" Slender Bluets were flying.  I managed to get decent enough photos to ID them.




A couple of Violet Dancers were nearby as well.


While there, a pair of Common Ravens flew overhead.  They have been known to nest in the area.


Friday, I took a long walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  It was quite disappointing for insects yet again (except mosquitoes!), but I did come across my first Dukes' Skipper of the year.


A couple of Banded Hairstreaks were along the trail.  I am now up to five individual hairstreaks for the year......lol!



This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail posed for a bit.


As did a Red-spotted Purple that was a little worse for the wear.


Since shorebirds are returning now, I decided to check out Blenheim lagoons first thing Saturday morning.  Turns out I came across my favourite shorebird, an American Avocet!



There were lots of Least Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs and a number of Short-billed Dowitchers around as well.

I was going to be a very hot day, so I decided to head back home after this visit!

Sunday was the annual Skunk's Misery butterfly count.  I did my usual route along Centreville Drive in the morning.  It was extremely disappointing as there were very few butterflies.  But, that has been the way it is this year for whatever reason(s).

View along Centreville Drive

I saw only one single hairstreak, if that tells you anything.

Banded Hairstreak

However, the highlight was a Dukes' Skipper in a known spot along the road.  I spent some time at this spot hoping to see one, and it paid off.



I discovered the species here for the first Middlesex records in the past.

Woodland butterflies were scarce, including the Northern Pearly-Eye.


Most common skipper was Dun.

Dun on Buttonbush

Lunch was held in a different spot this year, at Big Bend Conservation Area.  I had never been there before, so it was all new to me.  A neat spot I should check out again.

View from the boat launch at Big Bend

In the afternoon I toured around aimlessly, hardly seeing anything (what's new?).  I was so disappointed I went home early and skipped the gathering at the end of the day.  It was too hot anyway!

Blue-tipped Dancers at the boat launch on Mosside Line




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