From Darners and Skimmers, To a Phalarope and a Pelee Prairie

 Have not done too much lately, as the summer wanes.  This past Sunday was a nice day as I checked out Port Lambton.  This classic laker was downbound, a favourite of many!

Wilfred Sykes

Went for an early morning walk at Reid CA again. Darners are more plentiful right now, especially Lance-tipped and Common Green.

I almost thought I had a Comet Darner, but the immature female Common Green can be a look-alike!  The main difference is that the green darner has an "bulls-eye" above and in between the eyes.  Comet is a bit larger as well.

Dukes' Skippers have done well this year, unlike many other skippers.  I still had a couple fairly fresh-looking ones this week.  Probably latest I have seen them.

Monday, I checked out Keith McLean C. L.  Although the place always has potential there was nothing of note on this particular visit.  Very little shorebird habitat this year, unfortunately. If it does not stop raining we will not have any.

Then, it was on to Blenheim lagoons.  Goal was to see the Red-necked Phalarope that had arrived the previous day. It was there, among many other shorebirds.  Better than it has been.

Two Baird's Sandpipers were still present.

Checked out Erieau marsh trail as well.  A few warblers in the tangles.

In the afternoon it was still too nice to be home, so I went up to walk Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport.  The usual insects were there.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Slender Spreadwing

Less common, were two Slaty Skimmers.

Eastern-tailed Blue has done well this year.  There were dozens at Nicholl's.

Monday night we had heavy rain, something we did not need!  Most of Tuesday was rainy, so there was not much to do or see.

Today, it was down to Point Pelee.  I needed a good filling of warblers, so I thought that was the best option!

I started at the Tip, but nothing was moving on the lake.  

However, the trees at the Tip were being worked by lots of warblers and flycatchers.  Of note, a Prairie Warbler was among them!

This bird spent the whole time in the area while I was there.  I heard that it was still there in mid afternoon.

At one point, I noticed something hanging high in a tree.  I did not pay much attention at first, but then realized it was a bat!  It appeared to be a Silver-haired. I have seen this and several other species at Pelee before.

(highly cropped!)

I walked back west beach trail.  Butterflies and dragonflies were in better numbers that previous visits, but nothing outstanding.

Tawny Emperor

Common Green Darners were quite plentiful there, and all the way home!  Here is one.  Note the "bulls-eye" that I mentioned previously.

Spot-winged Gliders are numerous right now.

I checked out De Laurier next.  There were a few warblers, but highlight was the sighting of two Olive-sided Flycatcher. The first one even sang once, getting my attention.  It is my favourite flycatcher.

Sleepy Hollow had a lot of warblers as well.  Numerous were Blackburnian, Cape May and Bay-breasted, tripping the eBird filter!

I could have spent more time in the park, but decided to head home after a quick check of northwest beach area.

Some Recent September Sightings

Things have been a bit slow around here lately with regards to birds.  The weather has been hot and very humid.  The butterflies seem to like it though, as some have come in.
Common Checkered-Skippers are plentiful right now.  Today, a couple were in the yard, and over at Peers Wetland, several were seen along the trail.

Eastern Tailed-Blues are plentiful as well.

Around noon today, I saw a couple of Fiery Skippers at Brander Park, Port Lambton in the flower garden.  Common Painted-Ladies were numerous as well.

The last few times at Peers Wetland have revealed few warblers, but then, many have already moved through.
This afternoon, a couple of young Common Gallinules were on Otter Creek beside Peers.

Some Sandhill Cranes were at Langstaff Line and Highway 40 early this morning.  There are few fields this year to attract them, so we may not see the numbers we have been used to in the past.

It is certainly fall-like, with many trees already turning colour and losing their leaves.  The goldenrods and asters are out, decorating the landscape.

Reid CA

The OFO Convention is this weekend in the Long Point area.  The area will be well-covered by birders, including myself!

Duthill Bridge

Sluggish Sunday

I did not do much travelling today, except in my boat!  I had a nice ride from Port Lambton down to Lake St. Clair.  Little in the way of birdlife.  A Black-crowned Night-Heron flew across the entrance to Bassett Channel and terns and gulls were congregating on the beachy area of Seaway Island.
I stopped at Stewart Wetland first thing and noted a Stilt Sandpiper which was new for the summer.  Four heron species were present-you probably can guess which ones.
Went for a walk at McKeough Dam afterwards and came across a couple more Flag-tailed Spinyleg dragonflies.

A Royal River Cruiser went by as well, but those things are always cruising!  Only a few other species like Widow Skimmers.  This one caught my eye against the blue sky background.

Widow Skimmer (male)

Late this afternoon I had supper out at Port Lambton and decided to check the flower gardens at Brander Park. Practically no butterflies, but a skipper caught my eye.  I had no camera or even binoculars, but was able to get close enough to determine that it was a female Fiery Skipper.  Late last summer there were lots of that species here among other things.  There are nice flower gardens there that attract butterflies.  Late broods of Peck's and Tawny-edged Skippers appear here in late September, so it is always worth checking.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Late Afternoon Stuff

I finally caught up with a Flag-tailed Spinyleg dragonfly late this afternoon.  They are regular at McKeough CA Dam every summer, but this was the first one this year.  It has not been a banner year for dragonflies!

Nearby were a few Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies on a log.

A fresh crop of Pearl Crescents are emerging. Had one in the yard yesterday-rather uncommon for the yard.

Nothing much to report out at Stewart Wetland.  A Great Egret showed up yesterday, so there is till hope for a Snowy Egret or Little Blue Heron.  A couple of Greater Yellowlegs were new in the shorebird department today.

Recent Outings

Just thought I would put in this shot of ice chunks at Rondeau a few years ago to cool things down on this hot day!

I've been checking out some more local spots recently. Nothing unusual has turned up, but it is ice, I mean nice, to be out.
Saturday I went to a couple usual haunts after getting out in the boat.  One always hopes for something unusual while on the water (like a frigatebird!), but it never happens. Some Bonaparte's Gulls were heading downriver, but that was it.

Dion Skipper (worn)

I seem to see Royal River Cruisers more frequently (the dragonfly, that is!).  Another was at Reid CA yesterday, and today I saw another at Moore WMA.

Eastern Tailed-Blue Butterflies are out with another brood.  They are quite numerous right now.  I had not seen many this year until now.  There seems to be a wide variance in size.  I saw some very large females yesterday.  The females have a more blackish appearance on the upperside, while the males are smaller and have a very nice blue.  As tiny as they are, they are quite pretty.

Eastern Tailed-Blue (male top, female below)

I came across a Black-billed Cuckoo yesterday at McKeough CA.

Spiked Blazing Star, as well a Ironweed and other prairie plants are blooming at planting sites.