Rondeau to MeadowWoods And An Ojibway Visit

 Saturday was a fairly long day, as I started at Rondeau Park early, then went into Elgin County.

I did quite a bit of walking under cloudy skies at Rondeau.  Nothing of note in the way of birds, but I just wanted to go for a long walk.

I first walked down Rondeau Road to Gardiner.  On a sad note, almost every American Beech has been infected with Beech leaf disease, or whatever it is.  Photos not the best, since it was a typically gloomy weekend morning.

I stopped by dog beach to take a look.  I noted quite a bit of erosion along this side of the park.  All those NE winds this spring......!

By the time I left the park, it looked like the skies were going to clear.  That was a good thing, as the main event of the day was a walk at MeadowWoods, a Thames Talbot Land Trust property along Gray Line in Elgin County.

But before the designated arrival time, I stopped at Clear Creek quarry.  There was not much flying in the way of insects.  Too early for Comet Darner, and other things are a bit late.

Azure Bluets were in good numbers, and I did see a couple of Violet Dancers.

Very few dragonflies, but a few Calico Pennants had just emerged.

Hardly any butterflies here, but this Peck's Skipper briefly posed.

I also walked the Bury Cemetery trail to kill a little more time.

I arrived at MeadowWoods just before 13:00h.

It is one of their "closed" properties, so there is no public access.  Only special tours are given from time to time.

It was farmland and pasture back in the day up until about 1980, but it has grown in naturally quite a bit.  It was purchased by Stan and Anita Caveny and enhanced over the years until it was turned over to TTLT.

There are ponds on the property which were constructed early on, and harbour lots of wildlife.  In particular, odonates.

I guarantee there is a Spatterdock Darner flying out there!

There are rare species including the Comet Darner (which will appear at the end of this month), and Spatterdock Darner.  We were lucky enough to see a couple of Spatterdock Darners, which had just arrived perhaps the day before.  Unfortunately, it is a species that rarely sits still, and I was not able to obtain a photo.  I have only seen Spatterdock at Sifton Bog, and up at Ipperwash (dunes and swales).

Some plants near the pond included Interrupted Fern.

And several Swamp Thistle, a native plant.

We took a long walk over to some constructed ponds, walking on the spot where there was once a cheese factory!

At one of the ponds, there were several Amber-winged Spreadwings, an attractive species.

Azure Bluets were there by the hundreds.  I never realized how abundant this species is!

Today I went in the "other" direction down to Ojibway near Windsor.  I only decided at the last minute, since the weather seemed perfect today.  Early Sunday morning is a nice time to drive to Windsor anyway with practically no traffic.

The annual OFO/Essex County Field Naturalists field trip was today.  I joined in last year, and found it a nice change of pace.

It warmed up nicely, and we observed quite a few birds and other things.

At the pond near the nature centre, there were three species of turtles.  Unfortunately, one was Red-eared Slider (actually I saw two).

Along the Titcombe road, we looked at several things, including butterflies.  At one point, I spotted a Zabulon Skipper!  Although more regular in this area, it was the first one I have seen at Ojibway.

There were several of the similar Hobomok Skippers.

Other species included Northern Crescent.

And, Peck's Skipper.

Fox Snakes even made an appearance. How anyone spotted this one, is a mystery, but it was way up in a tree.

Nearby. some Tree Swallows were not happy.  A Fox Snake likely had a deluxe breakfast in a nesting box!

There are lots of rare plants at Ojibway, but our brief walk did not reveal many. Ohio Spiderwort is abundant in the area.

It was an enjoyable morning!

Just Insects

 The last couple of days I have mainly been looking at insects.  Normal for this time of year!

Yesterday I was at McKeough and Reid CA. In the puddles at Reid, these long-legged flies were quite numerous.  There are many look-alikes and are in the genus Dolichopodinae, according to the ID on iNaturalist.  I saw them last year as well.  Neat little things, but difficult to photograph.

Bluets included the countless numbers of Blue-fronted.

Skimming Bluet, which seems more common than I ever thought was present as well.  Some Stream Bluets were doing their thing (not near a stream!).

The tiny Fragile Forktail is easy to miss.

And its slightly larger cousin, the Eastern Forktail.

I came across one Pronghorn Clubtail at Reid.  They are more numerous at McKeough though.

Just before finishing my walk, I came across a female Slaty Skimmer.  I did not clue in as to species at first, but after a year, one gets rusty!  I think males are nicer though.

The Slaty's are not all that numerous around here.

This lacewing Chrysopa oculata (probably) caught my eye at one point.

Here is a female Common Whitetail.

There were not many butterflies, but European Skippers are quite plentiful right now.

Up at McKeough, I did not see much, but came across at least four Pronghorn Clubtails.  This is a reliable place for them each year.

Today I headed to south Chatham-Kent, and into Elgin and Middlesex.  I killed some time first thing at Keith McLean C. L.  Some shorebirds are still moving north including the semi's (plover and sandpiper).

Semipalmated Sandpiper

I then headed over to Clear Creek and checked out the old quarry.  I was still a bit early in the day, so did not see much.

I saw some Azure Bluets.

One or two Violet Dancers were flying but for some reason, the camera did not want to focus!

Not sure what to do next, I just decided Wardsville Woods was the best option.  It was good and warm by the time I arrived, but oddly there was not much in the way of odonates.

However, early on, a single clubtail made the day.  I spotted a Riverine Clubtail--a rarity indeed!

It was only a couple of years ago these were discovered here, the furthest south record.

It was downhill from there, as I could not find many other odes.  A couple of Midland Clubtails, and other common creatures.

Violet Dancer

A few butterflies included an American Lady.

At home this afternoon, I looked at the garden.  Plants are starting to flower, so insects are attracted.  A couple of new ones for the yard list were tallied.  However, they are European imports!

Eurasian Drone Fly

Oblong Woolcarder Bee

This one is native, but a member of the square-headed wasps.  There are many look-alikes, so not sure on specific species.  I saw it last year as well.

Ectemnius

That is it for now....

More Bugging

 The other day I caught up with a couple of Flag-tailed Spinylegs at McKeough CA.  It has always been my reliable spot to find them along the riverbank.  They were a bit skittish this day, and not in an ideal position to photograph.

Bluets are easily missed since they are so small, but I always keep an eye out.  There are so many types, and many look very similar to each other!

Azure Bluets seem to be quite common once you get looking here is a pair at McKeough.

Yesterday I checked out Keith McLean C. L.  and Erieau.  Autumn shorebird migration is well underway, but I did not see too many shorebirds.  Some Least and a Semipalmated Sandpiper were at McLean's, while a Short-billed Dowitcher was at Erieau marsh trail.

Shorebirds aside, I am looking more at insects this time of year.  After Erieau, I slid over to Clear Creek to check out the old quarry.

I saw Comet Darner immediately upon my arrival.  In fact, I counted four during my visit!  Likely a high count there for me.

Bluets and dancers were in short supply.  Not seeing as many as I usually do.

Violet Dancer

Skimming Bluet

Azure Bluet

Swamp Spreadwing

After finishing up there, I took a look in the creek beside the road.  Some minnows were schooling there.  They must survive in this spot somehow as I have seen the creek dry this time of year through the forest!  I suspect they are Creek Chub.

Today started a little drizzly, but the sun came out later.  This afternoon Reid CA was calling, so I went for a walk there.  I was mainly looking at insects.

Banded Longhorn

Margined Calligrapher pair

Confused Eusarca Moth

Dun Skipper

Dogwood Spittlebug

A few butterflies are doing well this year, including Appalachian Brown.

I found another hairstreak, so I am up to two there this year!  This Banded looked fairly fresh.

A couple of Broad-winged Skippers were flying, but I was unable to get a photo of any.  I thought I had one to photograph at one point, but it turned out to be a Northern Broken-Dash!

Dukes' Skipper should have emerged some time ago, but finally I saw my first two of the year in a usual locale.  Very fresh-looking.

My little garden is doing well this summer.  Although there are some non-native plants, it attracts an amazing number of insects that are good as pollinators.  Always looking for something different!

The weekend is coming, and par for the course will likely be wet.  An event is planned for Sunday.  Never plan outdoor events for the weekend!