Saturday I was down to Rondeau bright and early for another long walk. I decided to head out marsh trail for a change. There was not much to report out there, but one never knows what is out there until you look.
Common Gallinules seem to be in decent numbers this year, as I found them in various locations on my walk. Rails are out there too and if you are lucky you will see or hear the usual three species. I did see a Virginia Rail in one spot, once on the way out and once on the way back! No King this day though.
The only migrant warblers were couple of each Blackpoll and Tennessee. I did hear a Yellow-breasted Chat at one point. Seems to be a few around this year of this declining species. We used to have them regularly at Rondeau, even out marsh trail.
Willow Flycatchers have arrived in good numbers, and marsh trail is the best place to see them.
I was just coming up to the parking lot after finishing my walk, when word of a Summer Tanager was put out. (good thing I was not still at Long Pond!). I arrived at the scene of the crime and after some patient waiting, it showed up. A nicely coloured young male!
The rest of the morning was spent at various locations adding to the day's list. Cuckoos are in very good numbers this year all over. They are more often heard than seen and the two type's calls can be similar at times. Photos from the past:
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| Black-billed Cuckoo |
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| Yellow-billed Cuckoo |
Today, a change in scenery was in order. I like to go to different places and look for different things. With the "lockdown" year, I have not gone very far, but I really needed to do something different. North Lambton and Lambton Shores was the destination today.
I started by walking at Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales. There were more mosquitoes than birds! I found the place extremely quiet and not even a single migrant. Lots of Veery are there.
I found a pair of chickadees excavating a hole.
Here, was can find some orchids such as the common Pink Ladies Slipper.
I wanted to look for Dusted Skipper today as well, so just down the road I checked out the big MNR parking lot area and "barrens". It was fairly early in the day and somewhat overcast, but I did find a few Dusted Skippers.
Look for the white above the eye to ID these little bandits!
One of my favourite spots for insects up that way is the Karner Blue Sanctuary in Port Franks. I had to go there next! The sun came out for this walk, thankfully.
Numerous leps were on the scene (and odes too!). A highlight was a Dusted Skipper. I do not think I have seen one on this property before.
I had numerous duskywings, all of which appeared to be Juvenal's. Other types can be found here as well.
I even caught sight of a Northern Cloudywing. Not photographed well though!
Other leps included Spicebush Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Hobomok Skipper, Northern Azure.
I photographed some dragonflies as well.
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| Chalk-fronted Corporal (f) |
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| Calico Pennant (f) |
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| Springtime Darner |
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| ?? |
My next walk was at the L-Lake trail and NCC trail west of Port Franks. A good variety of birds can be found here as part of the Lambton Heritage Forest. Acadian Flycatcher, Hooded Warbler, Cerulean Warbler were expected birds I found today.
One Cerulean was singing very loudly treetop; a variation of song that I had never heard before. It had me puzzled at first, but I realized it could only be a Cerulean.
Just before leaving the trail, I picked up on a another lep for the day. A Common Roadside Skipper. (was not alongside the road though).
It will be back to Rondeau tomorrow, and hopefully it is a good day to fly a kite.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Lambton Shores Nature Trails. They have various trails in the Ipperwash and Port Franks area. Also, there is the Mystery Fall trail along the Ausable River north of Arkona.
