Monday Rounds

Monday morning I headed down to the Blenheim area to see what was around.  First stop was the lagoons since we are now in the midst of fall shorebird migration.  The were a few yellowlegs and Least Sandpipers in.  I did not get much of a look at them since they flushed even though I was not even very close to them.

A lone Lesser Scaup was in the one pond, looking out of place.

I wanted to check on some local Dickcissels.  Many have returned to sites occupied in 2017.  Other sites have not been occupied this year.
Not far away, a colony of Dickcissels is behind the Canadian Tire, easily seen from Hyland Drive.

It appeared that there were three males singing while I was there.  Seems we rarely see the females, so likely they are there too.

On the Fence

Another spot is the pasture along Campbell Road NE of Blenheim.  I saw four birds there during the brief stop.

Dickcissel in Flight

After that, I worked my way home and went straight to Reid CA before it got too hot.  Quite a few Banded Hairstreaks were out.  Most are dark and easily recognized from a distance, but some are light in colour such as this one.

I came across two Oak Hairstreaks, one of which was very worn.  They are now in their decline and will not be seen again within a week.

I finally saw a FOY Edwards' Hairstreak as well.

I looked for Dukes' Skippers and I believe I did see one flying away into the shaded area of sedges.

It was close to noon at this point and getting too hot again, so I headed home.  This heat wave has certainly limited our activities.  There is always something!

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).

Tuesday Tidbits

I stopped by Reid CA for a brief look after work today for about 15 minutes.  A few butterflies were working the Indian Hemp.  I finally saw a couple of Edwards' Hairstreaks this time.

A few Banded were around too.

I also saw one rather worn Southern Hairstreak, more appropriately called a Northern Oak Hairstreak.

Lots of Northern Broken-Dash were finally flying.

Monkey Flower is about to bloom, but I came across this jewelweed (Spotted Touch-me-not) which is really nice upon close inspection.

Weather was about perfect today, and it was a beautiful morning.  I stop by Stewart Wetland each morning, as habitat is excellent for shorebirds.  Southbound shorebirds included 3 Lesser Yellowlegs and a couple of Least Sandpipers.
On of these days, something good has to show up!

Friday Outing

I was off work early this afternoon and decided to stop at Reid CA.  I had hopes in finding Dukes' Skippers, but they were not present.  Usually they have been out for a week by this time, but hopefully a few will show soon.

Hairstreaks are on the downswing, but I found a few.   Right off the bat I found a Southern (Oak) Hairstreak.  It is getting very late for them, so it was nice to see.

Latest I have seen one is July 10 (2009) at Reid, other than the one at Walpole Island last year on July 11.


A few Banded and Edwards' were seen today as well.

Edwards' Hairstreak

I found this Banded being predated by a spider.  Often we see this. I have seen the Southerns in this scenario as well!

It has been a horrible year for finding dragonflies.  Late yesterday I went for a walk up at McKeough CA.  The only one I saw was an Eastern Amberwing!

Flag-tailed Spinylegs should be out, but I have not seen one yet.  Perhaps tomorrow.

Regarding other butterflies, Great-spangled Fritillaries are doing very well this year, as are Appalachian Browns.  Today I saw many of each at Reid.

No Bear Here!

Bears are on the loose!  Apparently one was seen around McKeough earlier this week, assuming it is valid.  (I find it amazing how some people can describe things that really do not exist!).

A while back, I found this family of mink at St. Clair NWA scurrying around.

Canada Day Crop Tour

Today I went up into Lambton County and checked some familiar spots.  We recieved a much-needed rain early this morning so things were rather damp to start and limited my activity.
While the rain was getting over-with, I walked Nicholl's Memorial Forest at Wilkesport.  Not as much variety of birds are there this year compared to last.

The first major stop was the old Blackwell Landfill at Sarnia.  Dickcissels are there this year as I mentioned previously.

As far as I could tell, there were two pairs and possibly a third male.  The birds were moving around quite a bit, so difficult to keep track.

Sarnia birder, Deryl Nethercott, also stopped by to check out the Dickcissels.  No Grasshopper Sparrows seem to be on the old landfill this year, but of course are in the adjacent solar farm as we saw Tuesday.

Next walk was at McKellar Tract on Bickford Line.  I wanted to check out an area of small spruces for Clay-colored Sparrow, but nothing was there.  One was there a few years ago.  I did not find much in the way of birds and got soaked to the bone in the process walking through the grasses and weeds!
I had a Dickcissel there briefly during the last incursion of the species a few years ago.

A brief stop at Moore WMA revealed very little.  It is a good spot for hairstreaks, but perhaps it was too wet.  I would have gone farther if we had not received the rain this morning.

A stop at McKeough CA was on the agenda as well.  No dragonflies!  It is certainly a poor year for them at least in these parts.  Flag-tailed Spinyleg should be out be now.
I saw the first Delaware Skippers of the year there.  (Do not try and find these within Point Pelee N.P., LOL!).

Delaware Skippers

The longest walk was at Reid CA.  Maybe it is a local thing, but hairstreaks are all over the place.

Edwards' Hairstreak

I found two Southern (Oak) Hairstreaks among the many Banded.  I have now seen 20 of the rare hairstreaks this year!  Best year since my discovery in 2008.

A rather fresh Royal River Cruiser was nearby as well.

I did a thorough check for Dukes' Skippers, but they just are not out yet.  Still early though.

Late yesterday afternoon I stopped at Reid CA as well.  Two Southern Hairstreaks were evident on that outing.

Edwards' Hairstreak

Saturday is the Ojibway butterfly count and I will be there!