Sifting Through A Bog

In recent weeks, I had the urge to visit Sifton Bog in London.  I was even more envious when Quinten Wiegersma checked out the place just last week!  I had only been there on one occasion before, perhaps 25 years ago!  (I would have to look it up in my notes).
Today was the day that seemed right to go.

It was easy to get to following county road 14 from Newbury all the way to London where it blends into Oxford Road.  The bog is on the south side of Oxford, just before Hyde park Road.  I arrived fairly early, so things were a bit slow at first.  I stayed close to two hours and had the place to myself. I left in time, as a mass of seniors (at least 50) invaded the place!

Sifton Bog is a 41.6 Ha acid peat bog right in the city of London, something you would normally see much farther north.  I felt like I was in Algonquin Park.

It was acquired by the Upper thames River Conservation Authority in 1967,  but earlier attempts to preserve the place were started by the well-known London naturalist Dr. W. Judd in the late 1950's.

Plant life here is what you would find farther north with Black Spruce, Tamarack and various vascular plants.

tamarack

Tuberous Grass Pink

Horned Bladderwort

bog Cranberry

I kept track of birds as well.

Cedar Waxwing

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks

Of interest today, I wanted to see Spatterdock Darner.  I do not recall that I have seen this one before, but there were a few patrolling the pond upon my arrival.  At times they came close to the viewing platform for nice views, but it was difficult to get a photo.  One would have to net one!  I took dozens of photos in vain trying to capture one.  I finally nailed one, even though it is flying away.

The yellow pond lilies here are called Spatterdock, which the darner is akin-to.

There were other odes including these:

Blue Dasher

Dot-tailed whiteface

Eastern Forktail

There was also Common Green Darner and meadowhawk sp. (Ruby?).  At one point I thought I saw an emerald, but I do not know if there are any there.

A bullfrog was in front of the viewing stand the whole time.

I did not see much in the way of butterflies, but on the way out, I found an Appalachian Brown.

Of course, Bog Copper is here.

On the way home, I stopped by Wardsville Woods and Skunk's Misery.  Some Great Fangled Spangled Fritillaries were freshly out.

A Twelve-spotted Skimmer was beside the pond.

Through Skunk's, I found the usual birds including several Hooded Warblers, Chestnut-sided, Blue-winged, Ovenbird, Cerulean Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, etc.

There was not much in the way of butterflies, so I hope things pick up for next Sunday on the count.  I think we will be good as long as it is warm and sunny.

More Lambton County Insects

This afternoon, I headed out to Reid CA.  We finally got a break in the weather and it was quite pleasant, but very windy.  I wanted to see if Dukes' Skippers were out.  The area inside the gate did not reveal any, but the site farther back on the property finally did!  Last year I did not find any at the back site.

Dukes' Habitat

It is much wetter this year, so one really needed boots to make a thorough look.  I found one, somewhat worn right away, but there were one or two others working the sedges.

Appalachian Browns are very plentiful at Reid, and today I noted at least a couple dozen.

Hairstreaks were difficult to find.  It certainly is not a good year for them on my area, but at least the Oak Hairstreaks made a good showing.  I did not find any Oaks today.  A few Banded were swaying in the wind on Indian Hemp, and one Edwards' was back in sedges where Dukes' are usually found.

Great-spangled frits were quiet numerous today checking out the plentiful Swamp Milkweed.

Northern Broken Dash were out in big numbers today at Reid as well as Moore WMA.  Dun Skippers were out too.

worn Peck's Skipper

I checked Moore for dragonflies, specifically Mocha Emerald, but did not see any emeralds.  Perhaps when I have more time I will make an effort to find them.

male Widow Skimmer

Mussel Mess at Moore

For you Boatnerds, it was a sad day in Detroit.  The Bob-Lo boat Ste. Claire burned after sitting idle for many years.  In my youth, we went to Bob-Lo Island amusement park every summer and always took the steamers out of Detroit.

Efforts to restore the Ste. Claire never really materialized over the years, so perhaps it is now out of its misery.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/live-old-boblo-island-boat-catches-fire-at-detroit-marina

Weekend Report: Typical Stuff

Needless to say, Saturday was a complete washout.  Just like clockwork, the  weather deteriorated late Friday for probably the worst possible weather imaginable for this time of year.  There are so many things scheduled this time of year on weekends that depend on decent weather, so no doubt there were countless pissed-off people in this province!
There was the Pinery butterfly count yesterday....NOT!  I did not even try to go, so I drove around endlessly.  I spent an hour at Erieau watching the waves eat more of Rondeau Park, and looked at the few birds present.  The only thing of interest were the 7 Red-breasted Mergansers huddled up on the beach.  We get a few during summer.
There is no point left at Rondeau's tip. Gone!

Lots of birds at Seacliffe Beach in Leamington, but with the torrential downpour and gale-force winds, one could not do much to get a good look.

Today I went up to Pinery anyway!  There was light drizzle off and on at first which I could handle (forget butterflies!), but then it poured.  So much for that idea!

Large Tulip Tree

I first walked Carolinian Trail which I had not been on in many years.

A Hooded Warbler was singing on the part closer to the river.  I eventually came across a Black-throated Green Warbler.

The Black-throated Green are rather uncommon this far south in the breeding season, but sometimes do occur.  I had one at Port Franks in the County Forest last year.

I was going to check out the County Forest as well, but it was still raining a bit when I got to the area.... screw it!

Flycatcher with a great crest

The skies cleared toward Sarnia to my utter astonishment. (Monday came early?).
I walked into the old Blackwell Landfill to check for birds.  A few years ago we had Dickcissels there, but still none this year.  Grasshopper Sparrows are in the solar farm properties and could be heard singing
.
View from top of the mound for you railfans:

With the sun out, I made a beeline south and took a brief stop at McKeough CA.  There is a good patch of milkweed along the bank.  Only a couple of Banded Hairstreaks.  I had a Hickory here a couple of days ago.  With yesterday's storm, much it if was flattened.
The Grasshopper Sparrow is still singing directly across from the entrance to the CA.

It was a good chance to check Reid with the rare weekend sun.  Lots of Banded Hairstreaks were coming and going.  Many were very fresh with the purplish hue.

The Edwards' was still standing vigil in the same area.

I saw the first Great-spangled Fritillaries of the year today.  This one looked a bit worn though.

There is always a good crop of Appalachian Browns here.

And, another skimmer with paint on it....

Another weekend is coming to a close.  Calm and sunny tomorrow no doubt!

More Butterflies Today

I did a big tour today starting at Blenheim Lagoons.  No shorebirds in yet, but a male Canvasback and a male Greater Scaup was present.  Likely these are the two that were around earlier.

The first butterfly of the day was a Common Painted-Lady.  I think this is the first one I have seen this year.

I briefly stopped at Clear Creek nature reserve, but maybe it was too early in the morning for many insects (besides mosquitoes!).

Blue Dasher (f)

Hobomok Skipper

Into Elgin County, I went as far as Port Stanley S.T.P.  No shorebirds there either, but a number of ducks present including a couple of Green-winged Teal and Black.
A brief walk around the prairie area of Fingal WMA was not too exciting!

I decided to head up to Wardsville Woods for a walk where one is guaranteed some butterflies there. Today I saw the first Great Spangled Fritillaries of the year among the other butterflies.

Great Spangled Fritillary

Peck's Skipper

Common Ringlet

Remnant of Mosa Hills Golfcourse

Skunk's Misery was just up the road, so I checked that out too.  Lots of Hackberry Emperors and anglewings along the roads.  As usual, excessive roadside cutting had taken place earlier.  The butterfly count there is in two weeks, so hopefully no more cutting!

Hackberry Emperor

I heard a couple of Hooded Warblers singing along the way, but it was getting to be early afternoon, so somewhat quiet for birds.  Mike Nelson was looking for butterflies as well, just coming back from the Strathroy area where he located a couple of Upland Sandpipers.

I headed straight west and stopped north of Wallaceburg in hopes of finding the first hairstreaks of the year. I did find some, but only two.  They were the best one could hope for!

Southern (Northern Oak) Hairstreak

The Southern Hairstreak is an early one and today's sighting coincides with the the first time I found them back in 2008 (June 22).
This last stop made my day!

They're baaaack!!

Appalachian Brown was also out (saw the first ones of the year today).

Appalachian Brown