Some North Lambton Insects

 Today, I ventured up to Pinery Provincial Park, and then stopped at Ipperwash Beach area.  Primary goal was to see some of the butterflies and tally some birds on the side.

Well, there were not as many as I usually see this time of year.  The Common Basketail caught my eye at one point.  Looked a bit deformed.

Perhaps it should be called a basketcase!

I did see a few Dusted Skippers, but none co-operated for the camera.  A couple of elfins did not co-operate as well, but I did get record photos.

Hoary

Eastern Pine

There were other more common butterflies and skippers along the way that I did not photograph.  I could have spent more time looking for others types, but time was marching on and it was getting hot.

After Pinery, I stopped by Ipperwash Beach and found a small number of Dusted Skippers.  Seems thee little bandits are scarce compared to previous visits in past years.

It is a rare skipper, only found in the Ipperwash/Pinery area.

One or two Common Roadside Skippers came along as well.

I also walked the Cedar Trail in Ipperwash Forested dunes and Swales, but it was a quiet time of day.  Pleasant walk in any case.

Common Ringlets have shown up this week in various locales.

Yesterday while doing some atlas recording, I came across this young Great Horned Owl.  I knew they had nested in the area though.

It watched me intently as I kept my distance.

Also came across this Pale Beauty moth.

Breeding bird atlas work is the on the main agenda for the next while.  However, the mosquitoes have come out in full force.  As well, ticks are too plentiful anymore.  We never used to worry about ticks, but in recent years, they have exploded in population!

Need some rain.....

Pelee Prizes

I motored on down to Essex County today, visiting Hillman Marsh and Point Pelee.  It was a decent day for a change!  After stopping at the Dickcissel site east of Wheatley, I headed to Hillman Marsh to check out the shorebird cell.  Nothing unusual was there but a few late shorebirds.
While I was there, Dan Greenham posted about 3 American White Pelicans at Pelee's Tip.  I made a beeline to Point Pelee!
Upon arrival at the Tip, the pelicans had flown way out in the lake east of the Tip, but were still visible.  Eventually they came back!

They stayed at the Tip for some time affording excellent views.

There was quite a bit of gull activity.  I had thoughts of a Laughing Gull--I found one 13 June last year at the Tip.  I mentioned this to Dan.  About ten minutes later, a hooded gull flew in from the west all alone.  I just happened to put my binoculars on it and noted that this was not a Bonaparte's!  A Franklin's Gull flew right in front of us and stayed for some time.

The pelicans even came into the same view.

Gulls continued to be active, but no other interesting ones came in.

I walked back towards the VC and looped around Woodland Trail.  A male Prothonotary Warbler was singing on the big slough. A female is apparently around, so they are likely nesting in a cavity.

After some lunch, I checked out Hillman shorebird cell once again.  More shorebirds seemed to be in, including a Greater Yellowlegs.

Horrible record shot!

Nine Great Egrets were there as well.

A Few Egrets

Upon walking away, I caught sight of a lep.  I assume this is a Common Ringlet.  I have never seen one so dark, but apparently they can be found in a dark form.  I would certainly welcome opinions as it looks odd to me.  They are uncommon in Essex County.

June 18 Ramblings

Momma Snapper

This weekend was free, so I headed down to Rondeau Park to see what was around.  Besides lots of mosquitoes, lots of butterflies and some birds were there.  First thing that caught my attention was that Chipping Sparrow that wants to be a Clay-colored Sparrow.  I first saw/heard it two or three weeks ago. I had a good look today and it certainly appears to be a chippie.  A couple of years ago a pair of Clay-colored was near the visitor centre into July.  They probably nested.

I did not catch up with a Blue-winged Warbler on South Point Trail, but a Prothonotary Warbler was singing at the bottom end of the trail along the lake.

Little Wood Satyr

Butterflies included lots of Hobomok Skippers, a Silver-spotted, Summer Azures, Little Wood Satyrs, Tiger Swallowtails, Spicebush Swallowtails and a Giant Swallowtail.

Best butterfly was a Common Ringlet. I think it is the first one I have seen in the park.  They are common around Blenheim, but I do not recall seeing one within the park.  They are expanding southward.

Hobomok Skipper

Blenheim Lagoons had few butterflies even though little grass has been cut.  Due to the new tractor catching fire, the grass and weeds are tall!  Just as well--why do they have to cut all that grass?

I got word of a White Pelican off Rondeau's marsh, so I headed down to Erieau and did manage to see it from the government dock.  Been a while since I have seen a pelican at Rondeau.  A brown one would be much better!  Still a chance since they can show up in June!

another Long Dash

North of  the 'Burg, I checked some spots, and the dogbane is just about in bloom. Butterflies love it, so hairstreaks should be out sometime this week.
For those who need to know, although Wallaceburg is sometimes called Wallyworld, it is sometimes referred to as the 'Burg, hence my blog name!