An Interesting Day--Some Rare Insects

Start of Johnston Channel

Weather was absolutely perfect today so I took advantage and went out in the boat first thing.  I headed down the Johnston Channel which divides Walpole and St. Anne's Islands.  I went all the way this time. Since I did not go there last year, I was anxious to head down again.   Bird life was limited.  In the past I have had good times with lots of birds, but I guess this is a sign of the times.  No Black Tern colonies this year, which is a first. I did see two Black Terns foraging on the return trip though.  There were quite a few Forster's Terns around.  In the past I have seen Caspian.  One was at Port Lambton on Friday.

Camera-shy Forster's Tern

I did catch a glimpse of a Common Moorhen near Johnston Bay.  It was probably nesting nearby.  In the past there have been Coots as well. 

There were lots of Mallards near the end and quite a few Wood Ducks.  No other ducks.  Usually I see a Redhead or two and perhaps a Wigeon.

End of Johnston Channel

The only heron types were two Great Blues.  On some trips I have seen Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Great Egret, American Bittern and Least Bittern.

Great Blue Heron

Some turtles were on logs, and in one spot, which I noticed last week, some Map Turtles were basking in the sun.  I didn't realize they were Map until I downloaded the photos.

After the trip I headed north of Wallaceburg to check for butterflies.  Lots were out today.  More hairstreaks have emerged including Southern (Northern Oak).  I had a feeling today would be the day I would see the rare Southern!

Southern (Northern Oak) Hairstreak

I also saw a couple of Appalachian Eyed-Browns.  Very similar to the Eyed-Brown, but there are some subtle differences.

Appalachian Eyed-Brown

The Long Dash skipper was still around (I mistakenly thought it was a Peck's without looking too closely the other day).  I have had Peck's there as well.

Gray Comma

Banded Hairstreak

An interesting dragonfly caught my eye.  It was a very large one which appears to be a Royal River Cruiser.  An impressive name!  I am not sure if I had seen one before.  Uncommon for Ontario.

Royal River Cruiser

The last few times there, I have flushed up a Common Yellowthroat beside the trail. I knew it had to be nesting, and today I easily located the nest with five eggs.

When I got home, I got word that Allen Woodliffe photographed a Gulf Fritillary at Rondeau Park this morning.  An extreme rarity for Ontario!  Needless to say, a first for Rondeau and probably only the second for Ontario (there is a sight record from Windsor).  I thank Allen Woodliffe for letting me post his photo:

Gulf Fritillary at Rondeau

(Photo by P. Allen Woodliffe)

Some Insects

American Lady

Got out briefly this afternoon.  Of course, by then it was mostly cloudy.  Weather forecast was wrong again for this weekend.  The sun is back out!
Saw my first Gray Comma for the year at McKeough CA.  These are not too common, but in fact I don't think I have seen one before at McKeough.

Gray Comma

A few dragonflies were out, including a Pronghorn Clubtail.  These are reliable at McKeough.

Pronghorn Clubtail

European Skippers are out by the dozens.  The only other skipper today was a Silver-spotted.
There were a few other common species out, but not many.

female White-faced Meadohawk?

damselfly species