Lambton Leps and Things

 The past couple of days, I spent some time in Lambton County to see what was around.

Tuesday it was up to Port Franks and Ipperwash.  At least it was a pleasant day weatherwise, as the main focus was insects.

I think the constant cold northerly winds all May did a lot of things in, as there was not the usual number of insects that one would see this time of year.

I first walked the L-Lake and NCC trail off Outer Drive at Port Franks.  I always enjoy this walk for birds and insects.

There were not as many birds as usual, but several Acadian Flycatchers were on the usual territories.

Mud Creek winds through the area, and at a certain location, one can look at the watercourse.

The uncommon Cyrano Darner flies here.  Although I have seen it in the past, there was nothing to be seen this day.

I then slid over to Karner Blue Sanctuary to check out the recent burn.  It was long overdue and things looked good.

However, not as many insects as usual.  I did find several Juvenal's Duskywings.

One very worn duskywing appeared to be a Sleepy.

This Peck's Skipper popped up at one point.

Not the best place to find the rare Dusted Skipper, but I did manage one individual here.

Next stop was Ipperwash around the old MNR parking lot.  Here one can find good numbers of Dusted Skippers, but there were not as many as these little bandits usual.

At one point, I spotted an Elfin, albeit very worn.  I think it was probably a Hoary.

I do not see many Elfins since one has to go to north Lambton fairly early in spring.  I spend more time in the south at this time of year!

Very few odes, but this bluet was likely a Boreal, which is uncommon here.  Nobody seems to want to offer any comment on iNaturalist!  Should be enough to go in here.

It was a hot and muggy day, and by the time I was done at this location, I decided not to do any more.

However, I did stop briefly at Wilkesport to look for Zabulon Skipper, but no luck there.

Yesterday I headed up to Sarnia to check around.  I did a long walk at Perch Creek Habitat finding the usual birds.  It was too early for many insects though.

I walked along the creek for a bit, something which I had never done before.  Potential for lots of odes there, so maybe I will try that again soon, if I can tolerate the mosquitoes.

I also walked around the adjacent old landfill, but there was nothing of significance.

Common Ringlet

One of the main targets was to see Silvery Blue butterflies at Blackwell Trails park.  This is the only known spot this far south, and they are fairly abundant here.

I saw several, but they are always very flighty. One co-operated for me.

Others butterflies included Peck's Skipper and Wild Indigo Duskywing.  I could not rule out Columbine Duskywing though on this one.

Towards home, I stopped at Moore WMA.  A bit early for odes there, but some teneral Blue-tipped Dancers were out.

Add, of course, a look for mussels did not reveal anything of note.  Just the usuals.

Mapleleaf

In the history department, on this day in 1972, the Parker Evans rammed the Sidney E. Smith Jr. under the Bluewater Bridge.  The Smith quickly sank as a total loss.

The hull still exists as a breakwater at the end of Seaway Road near the government docks.

As a result, only one-way freighter traffic was allowed form this point forward.

As a kid, I recall going to see the Smith lying on its side in the river.  Also, the wheelsman on the Evans was a friend of my dad's and he recalled the incident.  There was nothing he could do to stop the event.  I remember him saying that his heel marks were left on the wheelhouse floor!

I do not seem to have photos of the above freighters on hand.  Still looking.

Making Rounds For Birds and Insects

 Tuesday I decided to give Rondeau another go.  The only thing new for the year for me was Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.  Speaking of flycatchers, it seemed that more were yet to arrive.  The numbers were just not there on Tuesday.  At least I hope more are to come!

Looks like migration is coming to a close already.

It is the time I am getting into looking at insects more.  While at Rondeau the other day, I saw the first Hobomok Skippers, looking fresh.

Before heading home, I stopped by Keith McLean C. L.  A few of the more common shorebirds were in.

A Short-billed Dowitcher offered some fairly close views.

Wednesday, a change in scenery was in order.  I headed up to Port Franks and Ipperwash area.  I do not get up there as much as I used to, and it is a shame since there are so many places to go and things to see.

I did a long walk of over 6 km at the County Forest to start things off.  Hooded Warblers and Acadian Flycatchers are numerous there.  I tallied nine Acadians and eight singing Hooded Warblers.  There was not anything else of note during my walk.

The weather forecast had called for cloudy skies and a chance of rain, but luckily the sun stayed out for that walk.

Next stop was just a stone's throw away at Karner Blue Sanctuary.  I primarily wanted to look for butterflies there, but unfortunately the clouds did roll in.  However, I did find several duskywings and others.

Sundial Lupine is blooming already.

Not sure what all I saw in duskywings, as they can be difficult.  But, I believe there was Columbine, Wild Indigo, perhaps Juvenal's and Sleepy.

possible Sleepy

I also found a Northern Cloudywing.

Highlight, perhaps, was a Dusted Skipper.  I do not think I have seen one there before.

The white crescent above the eye is one of the key features in ID, giving a bandit look.

My next destination was Ipperwash at the old MNR parking lot area.  By then, some sprinkles of rain came along so I waited a bit.  Skies eventually cleared for a nice sunny afternoon!

Here, Dusted Skippers are in numbers.

I saw perhaps as many as fifteen.

I walked the back trail all the way to the Dunes trail which extends off the Dunes and Swales trails.

Numerous Racket-tailed Emeralds were flying. It is the most common and widespread of the emeralds in our area.

There were other common species of odes, including this Eastern Forktail, blue version.

Even a Snowberry Clearwing was working the puccoon plants.

It was getting terribly hot, so I worked my way home at this point.

Today, I stayed fairly close to home as all this driving is getting me tired! First thing I went around by Port Lambton then up near Sombra.  The Western Meadowlark is still singing away at the solar farm; probably for a mate that will never come.  It was nice to hear, but was hidden in the grass.

I went for a walk at Reid CA, mainly around the back field.  There were dozens of odes, mainly Common Baskettails.

But there were lots of Racket-tailed Emeralds as well.

Four-spotted Skimmers were plentiful.  This species is one of my favourite.

Silver-spotted Skippers were the most numerous butterfly it seemed.  Others included both Giant and Tiger Swallowtail, Red-spotted Purple, Question Mark and a crescent or two.

Silver-spotted Skipper dorsal view

This non-native plant was in bloom at Reid.  Yellow Iris is a native of northern Africa, southern Europe and western Asia.

I did a quick walk at McKeough CA as well just to see if anything stuck out.  Nothing unusual!  Last year a Clay-colored Sparrow was singing here.

A pair of Eastern Bluebirds must be nesting in the area.

Some Duskywings and Showing Some Mussel(s)

 Monday it was up to north Lambton for me.  

To kill time early in the day, I stopped by the old Blackwell Landfill at Sarnia.  Of interest, this little weasel was in the parking lot carrying breakfast when I got back from my walk!

 

I wanted to look for duskywings or whatever else popped up later in the morning.  It was early when I arrived, so checked out the Heritage Forest at Port Franks.

The forest is a large tract of land that is interesting to look for breeding birds.  I had already checked out the L-Lake area a few days ago, but this day I checked out the larger portion on the other side of Mud Creek.

I took no photos (not much opportunity!), but Acadian Flycatcher and Hooded Warblers are numerous here.  I found multiples of each.

There are other warblers that breed here, but oddly I did not come across a Cerulean as I often do.

By the time I was done here, I moved a short distance over to the Karner Blue Sanctuary where one can find lots of duskywings.  It was a bit sparse though, for them.  

I did see the Juvenal's, Sleepy, Wild Indigo and possibly Columbine.  My photos revealed several Sleepy, but I did not get on any Dreamy with the camera...apparently!

Sleepy and Dreamy are quite similar, so sometimes difficult to differentiate if one does not get a good look.

Worn Sleepy

perhaps Wild Indigo?

another Sleeper

Juvenal's

I met up with a friend and we walked around.  He mentioned that the injured Ferruginous Hawk from Cedar Springs (early May) had been released after rehab a couple of days previous.  It was fitted with a radio collar.

Interestingly today, a Ferruginous Hawk was sighted at Erieau late this afternoon and we suspect it is the same bird!

Yesterday I went down to Rondeau Park and walked out south beach.  It can be interesting this time of year with shorebirds and gulls.  However, it was rather disappointing!  There were lots of common little shorebirds of various types, but practically no gulls.  Where are the gulls and terns we usually see this time year?  Perhaps yet to come.  I was hoping to see Red Knots.  

There were still lots of warblers, etc. along the south point trail (west).  However, they were difficult to spot in the treetops, especially the ones that were not singing.

After Rondeau, I slid over to the Erieau Marsh trail (aka rail trail) and spent lots of time.  A number of warblers were working the area, including a Connecticut Warbler that was found previously.

It took some time before I heard it singing, and we eventually managed good looks at it. Of course, I was not quick enough with the camera when it popped out in plain view.  Later, I only got this  embarrassing photo!

A Least Bittern made an appearance off the viewing stand at one point.

Also of interest was a Fox Snake along the trail.

Today, I stuck closer to home and checked out Reid CA for breeding birds.  The wind picked up while I was there, and it was stiff out of the north all day.  I used the opportunity in the afternoon to do some yard work!

After Reid, I went up to Moore WMA to check for mussels since my quick visit the other day was not satisfactory.  With water level a bit lower, I found some included below.

Pink Heelsplitter

Paper Pondshell

Fragile Papershell

The visit a couple days ago on the way home from north Lambton revealed the largest White Heelsplitter I have ever seen.  Must have been an oldtimer!  The shell was perhaps 20 cm.

It is an interesting time of year, so some rare birds are in the midst.