Blues, Valves, Odes, Moccasins, Birds

 Now that the month of May is almost at an end....already (!) I have been looking more at insects.  Some days have not been all that good as we have had excessive amounts of rain.

This past Sunday, I went for a long walk at Hillman Marsh after looking at the shorebird cell.  Nothing of note in the shorebird department, but it was worth a look.

Sandhill Crane

Lots of Least Skippers were along the dyke.

Among the thousands of Eastern Forktails, some Skimming Bluets were seen.

Monday was a rainy day to start.  I wanted to head up Sarnia way to look at some things, but I had to take my time waiting out the rain.  After it stopped, and was still cloudy, I walked Dow Wetlands.  A decent bird in the form of a Sedge Wren was singing in the grasses.  It was a first-of-year bird for me, not all that common around here.  But, we do get the odd ones sticking around to nest.  Too distant for a photo though.

Nearby I found this rather large leech enjoying a puddle.

I then took a chance to go for a walk at Blackwell Trails park, an old dump site within Sarnia.  Luckily, the sun had come out by then so that I could look for the rare Silvery Blue.  All I was seeing were duskywings, likely Wild Indigo.  Perhaps Columbine as well, but they were too fresh to know.

After considerable time, I caught site of one Silvery Blue, but it kept going out of sight.  I persevered, then, right on the trail I found one nectaring on White Clover!

At least I did not have to go off trail and collect some ticks like in past years!

This is the only known site in Lambton for this species.  They are more common farther north.  The  only other Lambton record is of a couple along McCallum Line back in 2014.

With so much rain, Red Cedars are rusting!

Juniper Rust (fungus)

Tuesday was another rainy day, so I did not do much, but got some things done at home.

Wednesday I decided to give Rondeau one more go before May ended.  It was actually a calm and pleasant day as I checked out various places.

I walked along the beach off south point trail hoping for some decent gull.  It is a good time of year for Laughing or Franklin's or even a Black-headed, but no luck there.  However, there were up to seven Little Gulls.  All were first cycles except for one adult.  For some reason I never attempted to get photos!

Various mussel shells (mussels are sometimes called valves), were along the beach.  Just some plain old mussels.

Plain-pocket

Ducks included a single Bufflehead and a single Long-tailed, both of which are lingering later there.  I only got on the Long-tailed too late....

Some late warblers, but not unusual, were a singles of Tennessee, Canada, and Wilson's.  I found up to seven Blackpolls as well.

One has to ask where are the cuckoos?  Not a single one.  Also, Red Knots seemed to have fallen off the map anymore.  Another one I remotely hoped for.

After Rondeau, I decided to head over to Wardsville Woods to look for odes.  Unfortunately, clouds rolled in as I approached, and then the rain started.  I waited it out for a while, then went for a walk.  The sun never came, but I did see a few odes.

Pretty sure one was a Cobra Clubtail, then a couple of Midland Clubtails, a couple of Twelve-spotted Skimmers, Widow Skimmer, Common Whitetail, and Eastern Pondhawk.

The female  Twelve-spotted was missing part of one wing, so it was really a Ten-spotted Skimmer!

I did find one Double-striped Bluet.

A spreadwing caught my eye, which may be an Amber-winged.  It is somewhat uncommon and I have never seen one.  I did not know it at the time, so did not get all the photos needed.  Nobody on iNaturalist is brave enough to even comment on it, so that has not been helpful.

It was disappointing due to the crazy weather, but of course the sun came out as I drove home!

Today I headed to north Lambton.  I had the urge to walk the L-Lake trail and adjacent NCC trail.  There were not as many birds as I had thought there would be, but it was a decent walk.  

Up to five Acadian Flycatchers (not unusual there) and a Cerulean were singing among others.  Highlight was a singing Connecticut Warbler, remaining unseen.

It was too early in the cool day for odes, but I did see a couple Aurora Damsels.

A Chalk-fronted Corporal was at the start of the trail.

I decided to go farther north and check out the Klondyke Sports Park. Recently a Northern Mockingbird was found here, so I wanted to see it!  I could not get one anywhere else yet this year, so this one had to do. Not the prettiest one though.

They are certainly not as regular as they used to be.  Been a long time since I have seen one in Lambton.

Also here, a Grasshopper Sparrow seemed to favour the tennis court fence area.  They likely nest across the road (Clay-colored Sparrow has been here in the past as well).  Seemed odd it was hanging out in a groomed multi-use park.  Perhaps it was desperate for a mate.

Not finished for the day, I next went to Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales for  a walk.  With all the excessive rain this spring, I knew to wear boots!  The Cedar Trail was flooded in about seven spots, some areas quite deep.

A few Racket-tailed Emeralds were flying.  I never realized how common these are everywhere until recently.  I find them in most suitable places.  Even saw one at Peers Wetland earlier in the week!

A basking Blanding's Turtle caught my eye at one point.

Pink Moccasins (Pink Ladies Slipper) are quite common here.  I did not realize how common, but then I am not usually here at this time of year.  I saw dozens of plants.

It was a cool, but pleasant day on a light north wind.  The mosquitoes were not bothersome at all!

Speaking of north winds, they often push such things as kites to the Lake Erie shoreline.  Go figure, a Mississippi Kite was photographed at McGeachy Pond this morning!

Some Recent Lambton Sightings

I headed up to north Lambton this morning.  I like to check out that area this time of year especially for insects.  Firstly I started at Ausable River Cut CA to put in some time.  It was a bit early to see any insects.

I then headed over to L-Lake Trail and NCC trail, sometimes called Port Franks Forested Dunes.  In this area and at Pinery, it is quite evident of a large Gypsy Moth caterpiller outbreak.  Probably worst I have ever seen!  Oaks are completely defoliated.  I noticed they are even attacking Hemlocks.

Around the Hemlocks, we find Acadian Flycatchers in this area.  I came across at least five today.  They are quite numerous in the County Forest.

The NCC trail comes off the L-Lake trail and heads towards Port Franks.  There used to be a bridge at the end, but that has been gone for a long time.  I walked as far as I could before it got too wet.
Part of the trail follows a creek that winds through the County Forest.

At one point, I spotted a Cyrano Darner, which is rare in the area, and has been reported in recent weeks.  It is also seen at Pinery.  It was continually patrolling over the creek, so I could only try and take a photo.  They fly with an arched abdomen.

Other odes along the way included Slaty Skimmer.

male

female

This one I believe is a Lancet Clubtail, but could be wrong.  Not sure what else it could be.  I have not photographed one before.

Eastern Pondhawk was the most common ode, while a few Twelve-spotted Skimmers were seen.

Red-spotted Purple was the most common butterfly.

There were lots of birds, including a singing Cerulean Warbler.  I also heard a Black-throated Blue Warbler, which is an uncommon breeder in the area.

Hooded Warblers, among other species, were also heard of course.

Next stop was Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales.  I only walked the Cedar trail, which skirts the wetland.  There were very few odes today!
I usually come across lots of Racket-tailed Emeralds, but I only saw a single individual today.  It did not co-operate for a good photo!

Slaty-Skimmers were also noted.

Aurora Damsel

Nearer home, I stopped by Reid CA, where I found three of my favourite hairstreaks in short order.

Several Banded Hairstreaks were also out.

Yesterday, I checked McKeough for odes, but perhaps it was too late in the day. I was interested in finding Flag-tailed Spinyleg, but they are yet to come.  I did see a couple of Pronghorn Clubtails which are regular there.

Eastern Amberwing

The last couple of weeks I ahve been entertained at dusk by Eastern Screech-Owls in the backyard.  Last evening I managed to get a photo of one.

These are one of the first birds I ever remember. When I was very (very!) young, I recall them sitting on the fenceposts in the backyard at dusk!

Getting Dusted at Pinery and some Racket (tailed) at Ipperwash

I took today off and went up to Pinery and Ipperwash to beat the weekend.  It was an enjoyable day with excellent weather--something we almost never see on on a weekend.  As usual, the forecast did not look good for Saturday (what is new?).

Before going into Pinery, I checked out Klondyke Road where there is some good grassland and pastures.  Some time ago, a Dickcissel was found here, and it was still singing away this morning.

Other grassland species included Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Grasshopper Sparrow, etc.

In Pinery Provincial Park, I started at Riverside Trail which was always one of my favourite trails in the past.  It was a bit quiet today, but highlight there was a late Olive-sided Flycatcher working the snags along the river.  This spot it almost guaranteed the flycatcher during migration.

My next walk was Wilderness Trail.  Several Pine Warblers and Ovenbirds were singing all along.  In past years, I used to get Prairie Warbler in the first dune ridge along the beach, but not since the 1990's.  Prairie Warblers have returned to Pinery in recent years, and this year is no exception.  However, I did not find any today.  Perhaps I was not in the right spot at the right time?
The only semi-notable warbler today on Wilderness was a singing Blackburnian.
This trail has yielded Hermit Thrush in breeding season in the past, uncommon this far south.

After checking the beach areas, including P9 where the Prairie Warbler were seen, my next walk was Cedar Trail near the VC.  A few butterflies were visible, including Dusted Skippers at the hydro line corridor on the extension trail.  The Dusted Skipper is very rare for Ontario, but only found in the Pinery/Ipperwash area.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler was singing at this location.

Some Juvenal's Duskywings were still flying along the trail.

Next walk was Carolinian Trail at the south end of the park.  Just as I was getting out of the car, a Pine Siskin flew over.  They are occasionally found this time of year in the park.

Highlight for birds on the trail, was a singing Cerulean Warbler near the pond.  No Hooded this year!

Numerous Northern Cloudywings were along the trail.  Most I have seen!

I tried to find Southern Cloudywing, but they all seemed to be of the northern variety.

I may have had Common Roadside Skipper at one point too.

Dragonflies at the pond included Chalk-fronted Corporal and Dot-tailed Whiteface among others.

Nipissing Trail is another favourite of mine.  It is good for both butterflies and birds.  At one point I came across a tiny Columbine Duskywing, but it never settled any length of time for a photo.

At the end of the trail, was a Blue-winged Warbler.  The odd song (almost Golden-winged like) caught my attention at first.  However, good looks were obtained it appeared to be a Blue-winged.

It was early afternoon by this time, and after a bit of relaxation beside the Ausable River, I headed over to Ipperwash to check out the Dunes and Swales trail.
It was quiet for birds at this time, but I was more interested in insects.  I did come across what was possibly a Beaver Pond Baskettail, but the most numerous dragonfly was Racket-tailed Emerald.  I had this species as a target today, and I was not disappointed.

They are rather uncommon in Lambton, but indeed common at Ipperwash.

A pair of Aurora Damsels caught my attention along the trail at one point.

Birds included a Black-and-White Warbler right at the start, a couple of Pine Warblers and a Magnolia, which is uncommon, but somewhat regular in the area at this time of year.
There seems to be no Acadian Flycatcher here this year.  A swampy area with hemlocks is where it is usually found.

At the end of the the walk, I came across a Dreamy Duskywing to cap off the day.

It was time to head for home, as I was tired from all the walking.  (Somehow, I do not seem to be as young as I used to be!).

Pink Mocassin Orchid