New Bird for Lambton, Point Pelee Sightings and a Visit to the Misery

 After spending a few more days at Rondeau and area, Saturday was more of a day of relaxation.  However, I was out in the morning albeit quite foggy and damp.  Highlight was listening to the Western Meadowlark at Sombra (solar farm).  It was found a few days previous by Brandon Holden as he was making his rounds in the area.

It was quite pleasant to listen to it sing, a much more unique and pleasing song than its eastern counterpart.  I never got a photo, but in retrospect, could have obtained a recording.

The Western Meadowlark was a bird I really wanted to see for Lambton County.  Oddly, in all my years of birding the area, I never listed one for Lambton!  Apparently, they used to be more regular in the 1970's and before, but have fallen off the map in recent times.

There is always the occasional sighting in southern Ontario each year.  I have seen them in Middlesex, Essex, and a couple in Chatham-Kent, not to mention Rainy River District.  The Essex one was a bonus, as I photographed a bird a few years ago (2 June 2018) at Point Pelee, unknowingly that it was a Western.  My excuse is that it never vocalized!

Sunday I headed down to Point Pelee.  I first stopped at the Hillman shorebird cell to see if anything of interest was in.  Nothing new!  However, I had to satisfy my curiosity.

I then slid over to Point Pelee.  Even arriving later in the morning, the park was not all that busy despite the holiday weekend.  It was later though when I left.....the lineup to the gate was about a kilometre long, and growing.  Apparently they had to close the park for a while!

Anyway, I parked at the VC and walked towards the Tip on the road.  I cut in to west beach trail at the half way stop.  There were actually quite a few birds along the way, not to mention birders farther down.

As often is the case this time of year, there are many familiar faces along the way, and May birding is very much a social event as well.  Some, we only see this time of year, but you get to know these people and it is nice to share bird sightings and other news.

At the Tip parking lot, I was talking to Ross and Sandy (long time friends) when word came about a Neotropic Cormorant at the Tip.  We rushed to the good 'ole Tip and the the subject bird was pointed out to us.  It flew around a bit, swam a bit, and stuck around for many to see.  

Unsatisfactory photos were obtained.

That was a nice 'bonus' bird for my visit!  Not new for my Essex list, but certainly a rarity to my eyes.

While there, a couple of American White Pelicans were way out on the lake, and came a bit closer to view.

The pelicans are a regular there anymore at this time of year, so it was not surprising to see them.

As well, a couple of Whimbrel were resting on the Tip.

I walked back west beach trail looking for insects.  Nothing of note, but I had hopes of seeing a Juniper (or Olive) Hairstreak, a critically imperiled species at Point Pelee nowadays.  Ironically, one was found today!

(photo from the past)

After a quick check at Northwest Beach area, I left the park before it became overcrowded.

Silver-spotted Skipper

Long-nosed Marsh Fly

Today, I needed to go in a different direction, and headed up towards the county line of Middlesex and Lambton.  There are still lots of decent pastures in that area where one can find Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper Sparrow, etc.  In the scrubby area, Clay-colored Sparrow can be found buzzing away.

I found all of them!  But, could not get good photos....again.

Shy Clay-colored Sparrow

Eastern Meadowlarks (no Western) too.

Heading back, I checked out Skunk's Misery.  Indeed, the mosquitoes were horrific with all the rain we have had this spring.

One of my go-to places is Sitler Woods, one of the more recent acquisitions by Thames Talbot Land Trust (TTLT).

As expected, I got Acadian Flycatcher there, among other things like Hooded Warbler.

It is a place one may still find some American Chestnut.

In other areas several Hooded Warblers were singing, and a large number of Ovenbirds among other things.

Juvenal's Duskywing

While in the area, a stop at Wardsville Woods (another TTLT property) is always a necessity.  I go there more for insects, as readers of this blog know quite well.  It is a haven for rare odonates, but right now it is a bit early for some.

I found Midland Clubtails, Common Whitetails, and Twelve-spotted Skimmers today.

Midland Clubtail

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Butterflies searching can be good here as well.

A FOY Common Ringlet

Still some bird migrants still to come. Flycatchers had not really come in numbers yet, but a few arrived today finally.  Cuckoos have not arrived to any degree yet either.

And, indeed, some rarities will be popping up to make things interesting!

Outings, Odes, Odds 'n Ends

 This is one of my favourite times of year with long days and lots to see, especially with insects.

Seeing the spiketails last Saturday was certainly a highlight, and I seemed to have visited on the right day!  I went there today, and there was not much to see, but there were a couple of good sightings.  Apparently both the Arrowhead and Twin-spotted Spiketails were first records for Middlesex County!

Last Sunday I went to Point Pelee for whatever reason.  I just took a chance, since I have had some good gulls there at the Tip this time of year.  Nothing unusual though!  As expected, some pelicans were at the Tip.

I took my time heading up west beach trail, but yet again, very few insects.

azure

I have spent quite a bit of time at Reid CA lately, but then I alway do this time of year.  Tuesday, I came across a Pronghorn Clubtail.  I think the first one for there, but I get lots up the road at McKeough.

Widow Skimmers have come out in numbers lately.

And, still quite a few Racket-tailed Emeralds kicking around.

I have been looking for Dickcissels in my area, but have come up empty.  Yesterday morning I went down to Fletcher just to see one and get my fix!

Yesterday I spent lots of time at Reid, looking for birds, but as usual, the place is not crawling with them.  

In the "big" tree section, I admired a very large Chinquapin Oak.

The dbh is probably 4'.

After birding, I looked for Oak Hairstreak.....and....found one!  The first for this year, but a well-known person saw one two days previous.  I did not know till later.

I also saw one Banded Hairstreak.

McKeough had a few Pronghorn Clubtails.

Today, I thought I would go back to Skunk's Misery.  However, it was one of those "off" days.  Perhaps the cool temps and strong wind had something to do with it, as it was "off" every place I went.

I first walked Sitler Woods again.

American Chestnut

Then checked other areas, including my favourite trail off Sassafras.  Saw a fledgling Chestnut-sided Warbler, but could not get a photo.  An adult was nearby singing.

Will have to check this spot next weekend, as there could be Oak Hairstreak here! (one was found last year).

Of course, I had to go to Wardsville Woods.  I was disappointed as there was not much to see in the way of odes and unfortunately no sign of any spiketails.

However, there were a few Swamp Darners at the back.

One spot had some clubtails that may be Cobra.  Nobody seems brave enough to tell me otherwise on iNaturalist, so I will have to leave it at that.

The Cobra is rare in Ontario..that is all I know.  They are very similar to Midland (which is common), but I looked at the photos at home.  I am not familiar with Cobra of course, so I may be wrong.

The club is shaped like a cobra head.

Saw the first couple of frits today.

Afterwards, I headed west and briefly stopped at Tecumseh Monument along the Thames to check out the riverbank.  Some American Rubyspots were flying.

Before getting home, I swung around to Reid CA and observed one Oak, and one Banded Hairstreak.  Too windy to get decent photos!

Thames Talbot Trust Tree Tour

 Yesterday afternoon I joined in another Thames Talbot Land Trust outing.  This one was to Sitler Woods in the Skunk's Misery complex.  Sitler Woods was acquired in 2019, securing a significant piece (20 hectares) of rich woodland.  There is a great diversity of species including plants, trees and birds.  Acadian Flycatcher and Hooded Warbler are quite reliable here each year.

Some plants include American Chestnut, Spicebush, Maple-leaved Viburnum, Buttonbush, Wingstem, Sessile-leaved Bellwort, Poke Milkweed and Cancer-root.

The tour lasted over two hours and was ably led by Donald Craig, retired forester of St. Clair Region Conservation Authority.  The theme of the outing was forest health, and various aspects of that were discussed and observed.

The property was previously owned by the Sitler family who used it for hunting and a nature retreat.  The remains of the old shack can be seen.

Donald pointed out that there are five species of dogwood on the property.  Some of those included are Alternate, Round-leaved and Flowering.  Flowering Dogwood is quite plentiful on the property.

flowering dogwood

I did not have much opportunity to take photos (or proper ones), so perhaps next year I can visit the site for a closer look.

The property has a good variety of trees.  Perhaps one of the more siginificant is American Chestnut, which as we know, was almost wiped out mainly from chestnut blight a long time ago.  There are some decent sized trees, and some young ones that can be found.

Lots of Black Cherry are on the site as well.

Black Ash is here too.  Here is a young one.

No big ash trees are left of course, thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer.  Hopefully these young trees will survive and the borer does not make another visit.

I found the tour quite interesting and informative, and look forward to another visit in the future!

Buttonbush swamp