Even More Insects! Plus Some Mussels

 Monday I stayed fairly local.  I checked out the pond at Brander Park, Port Lambton first thing.  In the past, this has been a great spot for insects.  Need to check it more often!

I was rather early in the day, so there was not much activity, but I did find a decent species of bluet.  These appeared to be Westfall's Slender Bluet (ssp. of Slender) which is uncommon around here.  Perhaps it is more widespread than we know.

Other insects:

Narrow-headed Marsh Fly

Swamp Spreadwing

Tule Bluet

It was such a nice day, I headed up to Reid CA after lunch.  I saw a couple of Dukes' Skippers right away.

I even saw another hairstreak (Hickory), so I am up to three!

Some other thing were seen along the trail.

Slender Spreadwing

Acanthocephala terminalis

Common Thick-leg Fly

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Grey Treefrog (baby!)

Broad-winged Skippers were flying, but I still could not get a photo of one!

Yesterday, I had the urge to head up to north Lambton.  It was not as productive as I had hoped, but that has been the case in most places this summer.

I started at Ausable River Cut CA.  Very few dragonflies, but this Lancet Clubtail briefly posed.

A few skippers were along the river edge.

Delaware Skipper

Crossline Skipper

One spot along the river had a multitude of mussels.  Several were in the "rare" category.

Wabash Pigtoe
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Snuffbox
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Deertoe
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Mapleleaf

Three-ridge is quite common here.

Later, I walked L-Lake trail at Port Franks, then headed over to Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales. Mosquitoes were the most common thing!

Walking was very limited as many parts were flooded due to the excessive rain lately.

Spicebush Swallowtail

I even stopped by Forest lagoons, not expecting much.  It is not an inviting place for shorebirds this summer with the high water levels!  I was hoping to find Variegated Meadowhawk since I had them there in the past, but no luck.  Lots of Halloween Pennants.

Halloween Pennant

Another stop was Marthaville Habitat Management Area near Petrolia.  As expected, I found Slaty Skimmer there.

Last stop was Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport.  There is a little pond at the west edge of the property that few know about, and is good for odes.  Lots of variety here, but all common things.

Azure Bluet

Familiar Bluet

spreadwing sp.

Today, I checked out some spots locally first thing.  Peers Wetland had a few Great Egrets.  One of these days, I may find a Snowy!  No Limpkin either.

Along the St. Clair River, a Common Loon and Common Merganser were swimming in Sombra Bay.  Occasionally we see these in summer in the area.

Later in the morning, a number of us descended upon a private property near Brigden.  It is a fabulous spot for many things, especially insects.  Highlight was to see the Dukes' Skippers.  They seem to be doing well there, as I saw at least six.

I also spotted a Broad-winged Skipper in the mix.  A Mulberry Wing was seen a few days ago, but we did not encounter that one today.

Other insects included a Spotted Spreadwing (I think).

Common Thick-leg Fly (seem to be quite common everywhere!)

And, an Eastern Calligrapher which is very tiny!

Near the end of the walk, I spotted a Royal River Cruiser patrolling the pond!

A nice way to end the morning!

Eastern Amberwing

Some Recent Lambton Sightings

I headed up to north Lambton this morning.  I like to check out that area this time of year especially for insects.  Firstly I started at Ausable River Cut CA to put in some time.  It was a bit early to see any insects.

I then headed over to L-Lake Trail and NCC trail, sometimes called Port Franks Forested Dunes.  In this area and at Pinery, it is quite evident of a large Gypsy Moth caterpiller outbreak.  Probably worst I have ever seen!  Oaks are completely defoliated.  I noticed they are even attacking Hemlocks.

Around the Hemlocks, we find Acadian Flycatchers in this area.  I came across at least five today.  They are quite numerous in the County Forest.

The NCC trail comes off the L-Lake trail and heads towards Port Franks.  There used to be a bridge at the end, but that has been gone for a long time.  I walked as far as I could before it got too wet.
Part of the trail follows a creek that winds through the County Forest.

At one point, I spotted a Cyrano Darner, which is rare in the area, and has been reported in recent weeks.  It is also seen at Pinery.  It was continually patrolling over the creek, so I could only try and take a photo.  They fly with an arched abdomen.

Other odes along the way included Slaty Skimmer.

male

female

This one I believe is a Lancet Clubtail, but could be wrong.  Not sure what else it could be.  I have not photographed one before.

Eastern Pondhawk was the most common ode, while a few Twelve-spotted Skimmers were seen.

Red-spotted Purple was the most common butterfly.

There were lots of birds, including a singing Cerulean Warbler.  I also heard a Black-throated Blue Warbler, which is an uncommon breeder in the area.

Hooded Warblers, among other species, were also heard of course.

Next stop was Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales.  I only walked the Cedar trail, which skirts the wetland.  There were very few odes today!
I usually come across lots of Racket-tailed Emeralds, but I only saw a single individual today.  It did not co-operate for a good photo!

Slaty-Skimmers were also noted.

Aurora Damsel

Nearer home, I stopped by Reid CA, where I found three of my favourite hairstreaks in short order.

Several Banded Hairstreaks were also out.

Yesterday, I checked McKeough for odes, but perhaps it was too late in the day. I was interested in finding Flag-tailed Spinyleg, but they are yet to come.  I did see a couple of Pronghorn Clubtails which are regular there.

Eastern Amberwing

The last couple of weeks I ahve been entertained at dusk by Eastern Screech-Owls in the backyard.  Last evening I managed to get a photo of one.

These are one of the first birds I ever remember. When I was very (very!) young, I recall them sitting on the fenceposts in the backyard at dusk!