Afternoon Delight

I had other commitments this morning so I didn't get out until early afternoon.  Just checked out some CA's north of Wallaceburg for butterflies.  Unfortunately, there was not much out today even though it was hot and humid.
Hairstreaks (Banded) should be out within a week and perhaps the Southern as well.  The Indian Hemp will bloom in a few days.  The hairstreaks have to be my favourite butterflies!
Stopped at Moore WMA on Bickford Line.  The first Silvery Checkerspot of the year was out.

Also came across a Snout butterfly.  There are quite a few hackberry trees at Moore.

Some dragonflies and damselflies on the river, but not many.  Pronghorn Clubtail was patrolling the river.  the usual Ebony Jewelwings were out at the causeway.

When I first arrived, I heard a ruckous of birds and a Red-tailed Hawk flew off with a Fox Snake in its talons.  It happened a bit too quick to get a photo.





Down the road at McKellar, the Hooded Mergansers nested again and the female with a little one was in one of the ponds.



Lots of dragonflies and damsels there, plus many frogs.

Tomorrow I will possibly go to Point Pelee for butterflies.  Along the way I'll look for Dickcissels, as it is the right time of year for them.  I know there has to be some around as conditions are right for a few to show up.

A Few Geese and a Killdeer!

Here is today's report!

There was nothing in particular to go and check out today.  It has been dead as a doornail around Wallaceburg lately, so I just headed down to Rondeau.  Not quite dead there, but very slow with regards to birds!  The gale force winds (again!) did not help.
I started in the Rondeau campground and saw virtually nothing except the wintering Purple Finches and a few Juncos.  Next stop was the visitor centre.  Once again very quiet except a couple of White-winged Crossbills flying over.  Driving down Lakeshore, I met Steve and Jim who had just gotten their weekly exercise on south point trail.  We had to remind ourselves what we were here for....oh yes.....birds.
Heading back up Lakeshore, I spotted a small flock of sparrows two of which were Field.  Little else!

I drove around a bit and headed to Shrewsbury dock.  This seemed to be the best spot of the day with lots of waterfowl and gulls to observe.  Upon arrival, the first Killdeer of the season flew over.  Steve and Jim had a couple later at Erieau.  These are the FIRST shorebirds of 2012 in the Rondeau birding area!  Seems strange with the mild winter since last year in that harsh winter, we had Snipe and Woodcock in January as well as Killdeer.
Many Gadwall were visible from here as well.  Looks like many came in this week.

Among the geese I saw a probable Cackling flying over the Bay.  On my way back through here, I spotted a Snow Goose on the distant shore.
Erieau was not too active, but about 75 Bonaparte's Gulls were swirling around.
I walked part of McGeachy dike and only saw one Song Sparrow.


Ruddy Ducks at Erieau


I headed east on Talbot Trail well past Broken Scope Road and beyond.  I stopped at Clear Creek Forest for a bit of a walk.  In an old quarry pond, a pair of Hooded Mergansers was present, but took off.

Hooded Mergs in a squall

I came back through Ridgetown and noted hundreds of geese at the lagoons.  Among them were 10 Snow Geese (3 Blue) plus another that looked part blue morph.  It must have been a hybrid of sorts.  Too far for photos though.
A few ducks were in including a Northern Pintail among Mallards and a few Redhead.

7 Snow Geese at Ridgetown

Sunday Drive

Decided to head up to Sarnia along the St. Clair River today.  No ice in the river or lake which is highly unusual for this time of year!
The same bunch of Redhead, etc. was just south of Courtright and later drifting downriver across from Detroit Edison.
At LGS, there was a Common Loon, which is likely the same one from around Christmas.  I did not know it was still around.

At the Shell Oil Dock, the usual contingent of Hooded Mergansers was present.  They are reliably seen here every winter hanging around the pilings.  Today there were at least 25.

Mergs (Hooded type)

Sarnia Bay was loaded with gulls, but I only picked out one Glaucous (2nd cycle), one Iceland (adult) and a first cycle Thayer's. There was a reliable report yesterday of a Lesser Black-backed, but I could not find it today.  No grebes or coots!

Iceland Gull on Ice

At Point Edward on Lake Huron, just mostly Long-tailed Ducks (~700), which a pretty good number for there.  Also 4 White-winged Scoters.

Canada Geese and Mallards at LGS

I only saw a few Snow Buntings today, but I did not roam through the countryside.  Yesterday obviously a good movement of them with Longspurs, Horned Larks and also reports of American Pipits.
Talked with Mike Bouman today and he had 4 Great Blue Herons along Wilkesport Line yesterday.  With the mild winter, herons have strangely been absent for the most part!

Even More Butterflies

I decided to check the local area on this fine day.  As expected, more butterflies were out, but I am seeing very few dragonflies.  I'm waiting for Flag-tailed Spinyleg, among other things!


                              female Halloween Pennant (right)


At McKeough, the highlight was a Baltimore Checkerspot.  I had them there in 2008.  A good find for this area in any case.

the Baltimore!

At McKellar on Bickford Line, not as many dragonflies this week, but I spotted a Bronze Copper from the viewing stand along a pond.  I went down for a closer look and found a pair!  These are certainly one of the nicer butterflies to look at.

male Bronze Copper

female Bronze Copper

While there, I noticed a family of Hooded Mergansers!  Obviously reared in the woodlot nearby.  Another excellent find for the area.  Actually the first, I think, I have ever seen in the breeding season around here.

Two of four young Hoodies

Moore WMA was flooded due to the heavy rains this week.  Hopefully the water will recede by late this coming week to look for dragonflies.

Banded Hairstreak

At Reid CA, the hairstreaks are appearing.  Yesterday I had the Coral Hairstreak, but not today.  Several Banded were out, and a single Edwards'.

Edwards' Hairstreak

Northern Broken-Dash, Peck's, Long Dash, Silver-spotted were working the dogbane as well.

Silver-spotted Skipper (US)