On Stilts and Seeing the Blues

 I did a whirlwind tour today, visiting several spots.  I first drove to Strathroy to see the Black-necked Stilts at the sewage lagoon.  It appears to be a mated pair, with one on a nest!  Hopefully this is successful.  

The only other nesting record is at Jarvis lagoons many years ago, but that nest was predated I think.

Quite a few other things of note were there as well.  Lots of Semisands, and a few Semiplovers. 

 Hooded Merganser with fledged young:

Lots of Ruddy Ducks.

Things were up in the air after this visit, but I ended up at Port Franks!  I first walked the Karner Blue Sanctuary.  Perhaps it was too early in the day, but nary a duskywing.  Unusual!

A couple other insects:

Tawny-edged Skipper

Calico Pennant (F)

I then passed through the village, and at the last minute decided to walk the L-Lake and NCC trail in the forested dunes.  It was a nice walk with a variety of birds and insects.

Racket-tailed Emerald

Chalk-fronted Corporal

Since I was up that way, I checked in the MNR parking lot at Ipperwash for Dusted Skippers.  In a half hour, I saw 30 of those little bandits!

My goal for the day was to see some Silvery Blue butterflies.....in Sarnia!  That was my next stop, so I left Ipperwash and headed that way.

The past couple of years, Silvery Blue has been seen at Blackwell Trails park.  I got to the area and found several on the wing.  However, they never landed.  There is a wooded area, so I thought they would be more co-operative along the edge.  But, one had to cross a weedy area infested with ticks.

I did get lucky and find a couple that eventually perched.  Not the best photo, but it will do:

They are a very bright blue on the upperwing side.

Oddly, I had never seen a Silvery Blue before as far as I know.  They are certainly rare in Lambton, and this is the only place I know of them.

My last walk was at Dow Wetlands. Upland Sandpiper does not seem to be there this year.  In fact, they are scarcer at other locations as well.  Not a good sign.

So, something out of the blue did happen today, lol.

November 19 Tour: Some "Year Birds"

 For a change in scenery, I headed to north Lambton for a look-see.  There was a stiff west wind so I watched the lake at Ipperwash for a while.  Not a heck of a lot moving.  Quite a few ducks at first, but then it dropped off.  I did see all three scooters scoters.

Landbirds seemed a bit scarce as well, and not much flying over.  I had hoped for some finches, but not to be.

While up that way, I wanted to check the Nauvoo Park trail at the north end of Watford.  I had passed by that spot countless times, and wondered what was there.  It is a nice trail beside the landfill with lots of potential.  The trail actually curves around into town.  Good place for raptors at the landfill area, and certainly Short-eared Owls must be there.

While in the area, I heard that the Cattle Egret was still being seen near London on Franks Lane.  It is a narrow dead end road, but a pasture is near the creek.  I decided to go there since it was an easy drive from Watford east on Road 22 to Vanneck and a little ways down Gainsborough.

I was not able to catch up with any of the Cattle Egrets reported in the last month, so this was my chance to add to the year's list.

The little guy was there upon arrival!

I was just about to leave when I received word of a Townsend's Solitaire at Ipperwash.  Oh heck, might as well go back!  What's another 100 km?

I was a bit confused as to its location, but eventually found it.  Many Lambtonites and others were there when I arrived.  After a short wait, it appeared on the east side of the road.  Atop a tree as they typically pose.

Then it flew to the west side to join some waxwings and robins.

While there a Common Redpoll flew overhead, so at least I got one finch for the day.

The bird was found by James Holdsworth earlier.  I had talked to James in the morning while at Ipperwash.  Should have followed him!  Anyway I did get to see this bird to add to the day's list.

Just over a year ago, we saw another Townsend's Solitaire at Ipperwash!  It is a good area for them and there is much uncovered territory.  There are several records for Pinery, one of which I was co-finder on 9 November 2003.  All November records!

Tomorrow is another day....stay tuned.

More Spring Walks

 Weather was up and down all week but by Friday it settled down enough for my long walk out Rondeau's marsh trail. It was till a bit windy, but at least it was out of the NE which is better for marsh trail.  Birds have been a bit slow in showing up this spring, but waterfowl has been plentiful on Rondeau Bay.

Ring-necked Ducks

A couple of Tundra Swans were still out marsh trail in one of the ponds.

Last week there was one tucked in the reeds not looking too well at this location.  Maybe it perked up!

My walk was a little less interesting than the previous week, but it was still good to get out there for fresh air and exercise.

Two Horned Grebe were fairly close, seen near the end of my walk

After that walk, I drove around the park, then walked the campground.  The reliable owl was visible again after a hard night, as I passed by.

The campground was not too productive, but a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was a possible early spring migrant.  Difficult to say since one or two wintered there!  This one was quite bright.

I also looked at ducks off the old dock.  There was much to see, but no sign of a Euro wigeon.  Probably one there somewhere, but I did not get a long look as a local boater came along and flushed the ducks en masse.

Today was one of the nicest days of the spring with clear skies and no wind.  The temp warmed up nicely as the day wore on.  I needed a change in scenery and headed up to Port Franks and Ipperwash area.  

Although there were not too many birds, it was quite enjoyable walking through the woods.  I started at Ausable River Cut CA.  The only northern finch was a Common Redpoll flyover.  I was hoping for other things since all those finches that headed south last fall have to come back north!

Tufted Titmouse was common there and elsewhere today....as expected.

Next walk was the L-Lake/NCC trail at Port Franks.  A good variety of birds were here, including a drumming Ruffed Grouse.  It was quite peaceful walking through the woods.

It will be interesting to see how the trees recover from last summer's Gypsy Moth infestation which was quite severe.  Even the hemlock trees were devestated.

There are plans to spray for the moths this year, which does the other lep types no good.  Although there is widespread support for spraying the general public has no clue how much damage this can do to other butterflies and moths.  This area is rich in leps, so I do not want to see any spraying.

I also stopped to walk around the MNR parking lot area at Ipperwash.  Another flyover Common Redpoll was the only northern finch I heard.  There was nothing else of note except a Common Raven, which seems regular anymore in north Lambton.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

I did come across an attractive moth fluttering in the warm morning sun.  It is called The Infant, a fairly common moth seen in early spring when there can still be snow on the ground.  (There were still a few patches of snow in the shaded areas!).

In any case, it was an enjoyable early spring outing.

North Lambton Tour and Rondeau Rarities

I did some touring around this weekend.  Friday I went up to north Lambton County to check out Pinery, Port Franks and Ipperwash.  I was hoping to see some butterflies such as Olympia Marble and some elfins.
I first checked out the Heritage Forest at Port Franks for some birds.  It started out nice and sunny, but by the time I was done there, typical weekend weather rolled in.  It killed my chances for seeing many butterflies later!
I had a good variety of birds in the forest, including standard birds such as Acadian Flycatcher (4) and Hooded Warbler (4).  In the forest, I had no luck in taking photos, as usual.

Acadian Flycatcher

Several species of warblers including Mourning and Blue-winged.  No Cerulean this time though, although they do nest there.

I then moved into Pinery Provincial Park.  It was somewhat on the quiet side, but I did see a variety of birds. No doubt the crappy weather was a factor.

It looks like Prairie Warbler is there once again for the season.  I found one singing along the first dune ridge at P9.  They are always found in the first dune ridge somewhere along the Pinery beach.

At one point I saw a Common Raven fly over.  Seems they are quite regular in north Lambton anymore.

I checked for Dusted Skipper, but the cool overcast weather kept them at bay.

I then moved to Karner Blue Sanctuary where duskywings can be found in numbers.  Usually you can get four species this time of year.  I only saw two Sleepy Duskywings.

At one point I thought I had something unique, but it was just an azure.  However, it was the "marginata" form which is heavily marked and brighter blue on the upper side.  Actually a very attractive insect!

I briefly checked Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales, but it was deathly quiet.  From other's eBird lists there, it has been rather quiet  compared to what it should be.

Just before getting home, I stopped by Peers Wetland and found a good variety of warblers including Canada, Mourning and Wilson's among others.

As well, I spotted a Common Nighthawk sleeping in typical fashion.

Saturday I went down to Rondeau Park and sloshed through the water on south point trail.  I just did this trail since I wanted to get over to Erieau and try for the Neotropic Cormorant.

Several Northern Waterthrushes were still around, and lots of Tennessee and Blackpoll Warblers.

Warbling Vireo

A good number of shorebirds were along the east beach, including lots of Ruddy Turnstones.

Over near Erieau, I tried for the recent Laughing and Franklin's Gulls.  They were just too far out and heat haze was a factor.
The Neoptropic Cormorant was perched in a willow at the Erieau pier with its ugly cousins.  It was a new Rondeau bird for me, so nice to check off.  Now that I have seen it, and most others have, it can leave!  lol.  I did not even attempt a photo due to lighting issues.

I did a quick check of the gulls again with no luck so eventually ended up at Hillman Marsh.  Nothing special there, but one has to take the chance!

I had heard that the gulls were being seen again near Erieau, so went back.  I tried in vain, but the heat haze was even worse.  There are practically no places to pull off in the that area since roads are poorly designed.  As well, traffic was ridiculous with people in a hurry to go nowhere.
I gave up in disgust!

Today I went back to Rondeau under cooler conditions.  South point trail was not bad, but the interior of the park was very quiet for migrants.  More Alder Flycatchers were in, as well as Red-eyed Vireos.
Various warblers included a few Mourning.
World's worst photo:

The shorebirds were still along the east beach, but no rarities.

I came across a couple of Olive-sided Flycatcher.  One was silent but the other revealed itself by calling.

A few thrushes were still lurking in the woods.  Gray-cheeked seemed to outnumber Swainson's today.

With overcast conditions, I checked for the gulls again near Erieau.  I managed to find a spot to set up a scope along Erieau Road.  I was just in time, as I quickly picked out an adult Franklin's Gull. I just got on the second cycle Laughing Gull when everything took off to the lake.  I was there less than ten minutes, so I lucked out!

Middle gull is a Franklin's

I find mid June good for gulls, especially at Point Pelee, so who knows what else there will be to see this spring.  Last year I found a Black-headed Gull at Point Pelee!

Blenheim lagoons had about 70 Semipalmated Sandpipers and one Least.  Nothing else of note.

Now that we are near the end of May, time to fly off to other things such as breeding birds and butterflies.