Lagoons and Things

Friday, I checked out a couple of sewage lagoons for shorebirds.  Some lagoons are quite good providing habitat for shorebirds, while others are not.
Forest is one of the better one, but not the best right now.  Last year it was excellent and should be good in coming weeks as well.  That was my first stop on Friday.
There was not reallly anything of note though, but lots of Lesser Yellowlegs which are common at lagoons right now.

I then headed over to Strathroy.  Often, this place is not good for shorebirds, but this year it is the best it has been in many years.  In fact, it is certainly one of the better places for shorebirds right now.
Several birders were present this day, some of whom I knew.

Lots of shorebirds were there to sort through, but nothing in the rare department.  I spent over two hours there.  Many Solitary Sandpipers are around right now.

Solitary Sandpiper

Along the way I found this moth.

Squarsh Borer Moth

At the parking lot just before I got in the car I spotted a Broad-winged Skipper.

On the way home I stopped by a couple of spots near home, including Wilkesport, Reid and McKeough.  I was mainly looking for insects.  I saw Royal River Cruisers at each location.

EasternTailed-Blue

At Wilkesport, I walked along the edge of the prairie planting.  Not as good as last year, but various plants were noted.

Culver's Root

Missouri Ironweed

Spiked Blazing Star

Dukes' Skippers on their way out at Reid, looking a little worn.  I found three or four.

At McKeough, I took a quick look along the river's edge.  A couple of Flag-tailed Spinylegs were present.

Today, I decided to go back to Strathroy since it is good right now.  On the way, I stopped by Bridgen Lagoons, a little known spot.  Although I had stopped there occasionally over the years, it was never good for shorebirds.  However, this year, the one cell is excellent.  I did not spot anything of note this morning in my brief visit, but is certainly worth checking. One must note, it is one of those deals where it is fenced with No Trespassing signs, so one must be wary.


At Strathroy, there were still lots of shorebirds, but perhaps a few less than the previous day.  Proabably the only thing different was a possible Baird's (some there recently), but I could not get a handle on it.
Lots of Lesser Yellowlegs around, as well as Least Sandpipers.

Heading back towards home, I stopped by Skunk's Misery to walk the trail off Sassafras.

Northern Crescent

Tawny emperor

American Pelecinid Wasp

On the way back I stopped by Florence to look at the river for odes.  Several Swift River Cruisers were still flying, lots of American Ruby Spots, and various dancers along the edge.  I did not see Dusky, but maybe it is getting late for them.

I was home by noon, but just as well since the rain was coming in (sooner than expected!).

Lagoon Outings and Other Things

This morning I once again headed up to Forest Lagoons in hopes of finding something different.  Twas not to be...again!  Certainly has been lack-lustre in the shorebird department (for rarities or uncommon species) around here so far.  There was a lot to look at but nothing new for the year.

Lots of Least, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs.

Killdeer was most numerous, as I counted 159.
The single juvenile Common Gallinule was still visible.  I wonder if the other disappeared?  I also saw a Sora and a Virginia Rail.


After Forest, I headed to Strathroy.  It was easy to get to since one goes straight through Forest out to Strathroy! The lagoons there have good shorebird habitat right now.  One never knows what is there until you check it out.

I found lots of Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers, along with some Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers, a Solitary Sandpiper and numerous Semipalmated Plovers.  A single White-rumped was in the mix as well.  Still no new birds!

I spent quite a bit of time there as it the trees can hold passerines.  Early on, I spotted an immature Cape May Warbler. 

I watched it for a bit until it flew off NE across the pond.  Strangely, later on I refound it on the other side of the pond!

An early Philadelphia Vireo was found as well.  It is mid-August, so we should be  seeing lots of migrants by now.

Some butterflies were around the ponds as well.

Common Ringlet

I headed back SW and ended up at Skunk's Misery on my favourite trail off Sassafras Road.  It was a bit quiet for birds, but I did pick up on a lingering Hooded Warbler.
Some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were seen too.

A number of insects were here including dragonflies and butterflies.  I saw one dragonfly which was obviously an emerald.  There is a stream along this trail.  I can only assume it was a Mocha Emerald.  I am not sure what else would be here.
There were other common species.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Butterflies included both Tawny and Hackberry Emperors.  As well, an American Snout rounded out the ones that feed on hackberry trees.

A rather late Striped Hairstreak was barely recognizable.

A Peck's Skipper alighted upon a thistle.

One last stop was a quick one at Florence.  I found the same species as a couple of weeks ago, but fewer numbers.  A couple of Swift River Cruisers went by on my visit.

American Rubyspot

Black-shouldered Spinyleg

Dusky Dancer

Last Sunday I stopped at Blenheim for a change.  Not really anything of note (again).

I made another stop at Moore WMA last week to look for things.

Mapleleaf

Deertoe

???

???

A number of butterflies have been visiting the yard, including this Peck's Skipper.

For the Boatnerds, here is a classic laker.

CSL Tadoussac

A scene from one of my morning vigils at Port Lambton:

Algoma Hansa

Mid Summer Rambles

Last Saturday I visited several spots, starting with Forest Lagoons.  Forest is the "go-to" place in the area for shorebirds, although Bright's Grove has some habitat as well.

I spent quite a bit of time there just seeing common migrants.  A number of Semipalmated Plovers were present.

The birds are not all that close, but a scope is essential.

I then headed south to Skunk's Misery.  Things are rather quiet now as one would expect, but I did find several Hooded Warblers.  One was even singing.
Nearby Wardsville Woods was on the agenda as well.  I like checking it out for butterflies this time of year.

Red-spotted Purple

not a butterfly!

I have been looking more at moths of late.  There are lots out there when you get looking!  I have no idea what this one is:

There is the demonstration plot for prairie flowers.

Cylindrical Blazing Star

The little pond at the back is worth checking.  There is a single Cardinal Flower that grows there each year.

After Wardsville, I thought I might as well check Blenheim lagoons.  There were lots of shorebirds (150+) in the sprinklers cells, but most were Semipalmated Sandpipers.  I tried for Western, but not even a Baird's was amongst them.  It was about a year ago we had a Western at Blenheim.

This week I took some late day walks locally.  Dukes' Skippers are still kicking around at Reid not wanting to get into focus.

Today I found a few as well, but they are getting worn.

I even found a very worn hairstreak which appears to be Banded.  Possibly the latest I have had at Reid.

Giant Swallowtails are having a good summer in SW Ontario.

Some other butterflies were out and about.

Question Mark

Great Spangled Fritillary

I did see one Broad-winged Skipper in the sedges, rather distant.

Monkey Flower