Shorebirds to Insects

This morning I ventured up to Forest Sewage Lagoons, a birder-friendly facility.  Once again, this place is shaping up to be the best spot for shorebirds. Habitat is excellent.

I did not see any rarities, but it takes a good hour to sort through everything.

There were lots of Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, etc. and a FOY Stilt Sandpiper.  Something decent will be there soon!

Common Gallinules nested there this year and proud parents with two young were feeding on the far side of the one cell.  Too distant for good photos though.

This was my target spot for the day, and it was a toss-up where to go to next.  I decided to check Ausable River Cut CA south of Pinery next.  I enjoyed the walk as it was very good for butterflies.
Several Wild Indigo Duskywings were on the wing.

I was delighted to come across my FOY Coral Hairstreak along the river bank.

Delaware Skippers and Northern Broken-Dash were plentiful as well.

Down the road, I stopped by Karner Blue Sanctuary.  Strangely, I did not see a single duskywing here!  Usually this is one of the better spots for them.
I did come across a couple more Coral Hairstreaks.

Some Great-spangled Fritillaries were flying about, never landing.  They have been scarce this year like many other species.

There was not much in the way of odes this day.  This darner perched briefly.  Not sure what it is yet as I have not looked closely.

Rough Blazing Star is coming along.  Soon, Leonard's Skippers will be taking advantage of it here.

During this moth week, I have kept an eye out for moths.  This attractive Neighbour was at Karner Blue.

A plume moth, likely Morning Glory was on the back door this week.

Yesterday, I came across another 'dead' Ceropia moth.

I decided to bypass other spots in the area, as I am tired of mosquitoes!

On the way home, I stopped by Moore WMA.  One can finally cross the creek!  I looked for Mocha Emeralds in a known spot, but came up short.

A couple of American Snouts were at the river crossing.  There are lots of Hackberry trees at Moore which is their larval foodplant.

A couple of Banded Hairstreaks were spotted. One landed on my car as I was leaving....

Some flowers in the garden are starting to wilt, a sign that summer is moving along.  Black-eyed Susan and Purple Coneflower continues to flourish in the backyard.  This year, one coneflower was white!

The odd European Skipper is still around.

Dickcissels, Dunes and Swales, Dickcissels

Today I headed in a northerly direction towards Ipperwash.  I took some back roads on the way up.  Two spots along Forest Road had Dickcissels not reported previously.
Weather was quite pleasant with a northerly breeze today as I walked through Ipperwash Dunes and Swales.

Several Pine Warblers were seen or heard, as they are common in the area.

Best warbler was a Magnolia, which occasionally breeds in the area.

Along Beach trail, there was a lot of Butterfly Weed, but nothing on it.  Once again, butterflies were scarce.  There were a few including this Delaware Skipper.

I took a tour around Kettle Point before leaving the area.  Water level is very high, and there is no point!  I recall when we used to be able to walk quite a ways out.

I went into Sarnia on the way back and checked out Logan's Pond.  A waste of time!  It is another very poor year for dragonflies in these parts.
Dow Wetlands was on the list next.  Dickcissels were quite co-operative.

They seem to hang around where there are patches of  teasel or thistle.

Female Dickcissel

I came across another Dickcissel at the corner of Moore Line and Highway 40, as well as one at Lambton Generating Station which I discovered a few days ago.

After lunch (I recommend stopping at the burger stand in Courtright!), I headed back into the countryside.

I stopped at Moore WMA and went for a long walk.  It is getting quite grown-in where I used to find lots of butterflies.  The prairie plantings have not been maintained.

Compass Plant

I did find a couple of Edwards' Hairstreaks.

The river level was finally way down so one can get across the crossing to check out the "back 40".

Long Dash (?)

A final stop at Reid CA did not reveal any Dukes' Skippers yet.

Delaware Skipper

Banded Hairstreak

Highlight there was a family of Eastern Screech-Owls.  I heard some noise in the back corner of the meadow area and caught a glimpse of several owls.  I was not able to get any photos.

Sunday is the Rondeau butterfly count, so we will see what turns up! (Hopefully a Pipevine Swallowtail or two).

Skunk's Misery Butterflies and Birds

Yesterday July 2 was the annual Skunk's Misery butterfly count.  It was perhaps the 'slowest' one I have done with regards to butterflies.  There was a lot of milkweed on the roadsides, but virtually nothing on it.
The count tally came in at a respectable 50 species, but there were low numbers of each.

I arrived early and toured the Mosa Forest area listening for birds for the better part of an hour.  It is a great spot for uncommon birds and many other forest birds.  I counted about 6 Hooded Warblers (singing males) as well as a Cerulean.

After we gathered at the Newbury Hospital parking lot, we set out to my usual route of Centreville Drive.  This year I had Quinten and his father with me, along with Lance.

Butterflies were few and far between, but a highlight was a Compton Tortoiseshell.  They are one of the prettier butterflies.

They are somewhat uncommon, but in 2009, there were 62 recorded!

As we ended our walk on Centreville, I was worried that we had not recorded a hairstreak.  We always get some.  Just at the end, Quinten and I found a Banded on Common Milkweed.

Last year, the Skunk's count held the record for the most Banded Hairstreaks in Canada!

Tawny Emperor is common in the Mosa Forest.  We had several on Sunday.

Regarding birds, I heard a couple more Hooded Warblers that I did not detect earlier, as well as Mourning Warbler and a couple of Pine Warblers.
At one point, a Broad-winged Hawk flew over.  They nest in the area, but are uncommon as nesters this far south. See a photo on Quinten's blog.

Centreville Drive is quite diverse in wildlife.  You never know what is flying around.
Back in 2012 during the count, I found a female Great Blue Skimmer.  I think I have a photo of it, but cannot locate it currently  (will add later if found).
Here is a photo of a male Great Blue I found at Point Pelee perhaps the same year.

Back in 2008 we found a new butterfly for Middlesex County in the form of a Green Comma.  Of course Alan Wormington was right on my case (I barely got home and found an email from him!), but we were certain of our ID.  I often do not have a camera on this count, so no photo of the Green Comma unfortunately.

After lunch, we headed out to the NW section of the count circle.  Along Watterworth Road, we first stopped by an open area on Crown Land.

At this area in 2014 we had a Mocha Emeralds flying around.  Not sure why they were there since the river is some distance away, but it was a neat find.

Heading west along Mosside Road, we stopped by a favourite spot of mine along the Sydenham River.  There is some open area here where the bridge used to cross.

There was oodles of milkweed, but once again, few butterflies.  Here were found many Delaware Skippers.

And, I did see a Common Wood Nymph here which I forgot about during the tally!

The rest of the afternoon we mainly drove around.  One of the stops was at the old bridge on Cameron Road.  I like the view of the river from here.

The compilation and BBQ was held at the Prieksaitis residence south of Rodney as usual.
The weather was great and a good time was had by all.

Insects Around Duthill (Friday)

I headed up to the Duthill area after work today to take a walk.  First stop was at Reid CA south of Duthill, for a quick walk.  Lots of Banded Hairstreaks were seen, but no other hairstreaks.

Edwards' from Tuesday

Just in from the gate, I caught sight of a Dukes's Skipper, but it did not stop for a photo.  More should be coming out this week.

Fresh Question Mark

Up at McKeough CA west of Duthill, I checked out some milkweed patches.  There is lots of Common Milkweed this year, but there are rather few butterflies right now.  We are in between many broods I guess!

Monarch cateprillar

Where are the Monarchs?  I think I have only seen 2 or 3 this year!

Swamp Milkweed is more scarce this year than in the past, at least in my area.  It is very good for attracting butterflies.

Delaware Skipper

Eastern Tailed-blue

Dragonflies are rather few too.  I walked through the diversion channel from Callahan Road to the the river but did not come across any until near the river.  Just a few very common things.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Blue Dasher

Widow Skimmer

Common Whitetail

Looks like a good weather weekend coming up...I hope!  It may turn out to be the best one so far this year.  I will be lost if I do not see rain.