Peep Show

This afternoon after some time in Point Pelee, I stopped at Hillman Marsh to see what was in.  Lots of "peeps" were in, but they were over on the far side.  I walked over to get a closer view.  They were quite close, affording good views of dozens of Semipalmated Sandpipers, Dunlins, about 12 White-rumped Sandpipers and a single Semipalmated Plover.  Lots of Bonaparte's Gulls were present as well.

Bonie Bonanza 

One Semipalmated Sandpiper was of interest since it wore a colour flag on its left leg.  The marker was blue with white lettering EMT on both sides of the flag.  I sent in the information to see what response I get.

I walked all the way around the cell, and some butterflies were out even though there was a gale force wind.  A single Fiery Skipper, which did not co-operate very well was of note.

Fiery Skipper at Hillman

A Common Buckeye, the first in a while, was also on the path.

In the morning I did some birding in the park, starting at the Tip.  Some birds were trying to fly off, but the gale force winds told them otherwise.  Besides countless blackbirds and Cedar Waxwings, a Black-billed Cuckoo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and about a half dozen hummingbirds made the attempt.
The only shorebird I saw was a Semipalmated Sandpiper that rounded the Tip.

A Good Wind at the Tip (for fall!)

Walking back, Kory Renaud and I heard a Mourning Warbler at the 42 sign.  It was quite elusive until I finally spotted it from the shelter.  It was singing happily almost like a Kentucky!
I walked back through the centre and heard only two Blackpoll Warblers in the migrant department.

Prothonotary Warbler on Woodland Trail

I also walked De Laurier and Anders.  A Swainson's Thrush was singing along Anders and a couple of cuckoos.  A Little Yellow butterfly was along here as well.

Giant Swallowtail (note missing tail)

On the way home I stopped at Tilbury Lagoons and noted more shorebirds.  Different for the day was a Short-billed Dowitcher.

peeps at Tilbury

There were also several Semipalmated Sandpipers and White-rumped Sandpipers.

I checked out Angler Line near Mitchell's Bay, but did not come up with anything of note.  One cannot see anything due to the phragmites!  A Great Egret was in the ditch along the road.

Spur of the Moment

I was not sure where to head today, but decided to check Tilbury Lagoon first thing.  I find shorebirds at lagoons seem to be better in the evening, but that never fits my schedule!
Tilbury was rather disappointing.  Very few shorebirds-nothing new.  Three SBD's were the highlight.  Five Caspian Terns (adults) were present.

I decided I might as well go to Point Pelee.  It was good for butterflies, but mostly common stuff.
Giant Swallowtails were very numerous.

I walked west beach south of the VC.  Common Buckeye have certainly moved in compared to previously.  I had at least 30 here.
One of the highlights was a duskywing.  I assume it was Wild Indigo, as it never settled down before I lost it.



Farther down, I was delighted to come across an Olive Hairstreak on Spotted Knapweed.  These are now in their second brood.  Always a treat to see!

I headed back, and went up to De Laurier.  Not much there but a couple of Snout.
Getting close to lunch, I stopped at the Cattail Cafe for a Green Goddess.  Try one, they are good!
While in the neighbourhood, I checked the old parking area of NW Beach.  I was surprised to find a Little Yellow.  First one this year!  (there were too many last year!).

Little Yellow

That got me pumped up, so I went back to the south end of west beach trail.  More Buckeye, etc.
Came across another Olive Hairstreak!  (Now Paul Carter will really be envious).

Snout were out by this time, and I had perhaps a half dozen.

Snout

On the way home, I stopped at Tilbury again, but the same stuff was there.

By the way, I did hear at least one Dickcissel at the weedy field out in the onion fields today.

Canada ? Darner:

Point Pelee: Another Funereal Dusky-Wing! And More.

Funereal Dusky-Wing at Point Pelee

The butterfly situation at Point Pelee continues to be very interesting.  Birds (songbirds) were plentiful as well.  I went down early to look for birds, then by mid morning it was warm enough for butterflies.
At the Tip, there were lots of gulls, but nothing unusual.  The only ducks flying were a few Mallards and a flock of 11 Northern Shoveler.  The Shovelers headed back north when they reached the Tip.
Lots of warblers were around.  I had to stop every once in a while as I was looking for butterflies to look over a pocket of warblers.  I saw at least 18 species including a Connecticut.

Palm Warbler

Red-breasted Nuthatch (plentiful today!)

For butterflies, I checked out the Spotted Knapweed along the West Beach, heading north from the Tip.  When I got to West Beach parking lot, I decided it was worth walking again, so I headed back down the trail.  The trail was not too busy with butterflies, but the walk back up the beach was very worthwhile. 
I managed to find a Funereal Duskywing! 

Funereal Dusky-Wing

With recent reports of one last week and one just outside the park, that species was in the back of my mind.  I missed the one last week, probably by metres!
Today's looked very fresh.  It will be only the fourth park record.
Shortly after looking at the Funereal, I found a very worn Wild Indigo Dusky-Wing.

Wild Indigo Dusky-Wing

Fiery Skippers were still plentiful and Gray Hairstreaks were plentiful as well. 

Gray Hairstreak

Fiery Skipper

Common Painted Lady was very numerous.

Here is a list I posted to Ontario Butterflies:

Little Yellow:
south edge of West Beach P. L. = 1 (first in several weeks!)

Little Yellow

Fiery Skipper:
West Beach V. C. to Serengetti Tree n. of Tip = 23
south of Black Willow (beach) = 20
NW Beach P. L. (south) = 5

Fiery Skipper with Buckeye

Gray Hairstreak:
West Beach V. C. to Serengetti Tree = 4
West Beach Trail south of V. C. = 2
south of Black Willow (beach) = 7
NW Beach P. L. (south) = 4

inverted Gray Hairstreak

Common Painted Lady:
West Beach V. C. to Tip = 65
West Beach Trail south of V. C. = 6
south of Black Willow (beach) = 43
NW Beach P. L. (south) = 7

A pair of Common Buckeyes!

Dog Days of Summer

I did some walking at Rondeau and Erieau this morning.  Not much to report though.  Cicadas were singing in full force early this morning.  It was almost deafening at times.  They were flying all over the place!
Not a lot of butterflies, but there were lots of swallowtails flying.  Lots of Spicebush and Tiger Swallowtails were around. A few Giants and a few Black. Still have not come across a Pipevine!

At Erieau there was lots to see at McGeachy Pond dike.  I found a Fiery Skipper.

Also two Little Yellows, a couple of Snout and many Buckeye.

A young Mockingbird made a brief appearance.  They are reliably found in this area.

Hundreds of shorebirds are at Blenheim.  At least 600, but nothing new or unusual that I could see.  One Baird's, a couple of Stilt and a Solitary were amongst them.
I also had one Little Yellow in the lagoon as well. 
They are still pumping Pond 1 dry.  I cannot help but think they will close the lagoon to the public and do something like last year!

Thursday at Rondeau

Took a walk along the dunes of south point trail this morning, and a bit out Marsh Trail.  Cylindrical Blazing Star is quite abundant this year.  I even found some of the white form. 

Some butterflies were nectaring on it.  Most were Monarch.  Monarchs were fairly abundant today.

Several Buckeye were around in various states of repair or disrepair.  I saw one Little Yellow along the trail as I walked back.

Little Yellow

There were a lot of gulls along the beach.  I should have took time to sift through them, but lighting was not good as it usually is early in the morning.  A number of juvenile Bonaparte's Gulls were amongst them.  At least a dozen, probably more. 

Little Gulls were probably around, as they are fairly common this time of year.
At Blenheim Lagoons, the shorebirds have left!  I did eventually see 9 Greater Yellowlegs and a single Short-billed Dowitcher.  Quite a change from the weekend.
Butterflies there included a Little Yellow...no surprise....a dirt butterfly this summer!

Spot-winged Glider

Point Pelee Scenes

Tawny Emperor

I picked today to head down toPoint Pelee to look for butterflies. It looks like Monday's are the the days to be there for butterflies, as some observers saw a huge number of immigrants.  But, as usual, I always pick the wrong day!  Mind you,there were still lots of butterflies today.

The invasion of Common Buckeye and Little Yellows continues.  I never thought that I would be tired of seeing Buckeye, but today I saw over 70.  The influx of Little Yellows is tremendous.  I saw at least 20 today.

Little Yellow

I worked the West Beach Trail and along the West Beach from south of Black Willow to the Tip. Yeserday, along that stretch, observers saw over 50 Little Yellows and over 200 Common Buckeyes!
Silver-spotted Skippers were in good numbers.  A few Northern Broken Dash were also seen.

Several Tawny Emperors and Hackberry butterflies were around.  As well, I probably saw over 30 American Snout.  The Snouts seemed to like the parking lots!

American Snout

No noteworthy birds were around, but Yellow Warblers were on the move.  Some were trying to fly off the Tip. As well. a couple of Blue-ray Gnatcatchers were at the Tip, likely attempting to migrate.

Rondeau/Blenheim

Pouring rain started the day,but I headed out anyway.  First took a look at the lake near Rondeau and came across a group of Common Loons.  I counted 58, but there were probably others.  This is the most I have seen this time of year.  Some non-breeders stay in the lake all summer.

Rain kept up, so I just sat looking at the lake near south point trail. Lots of movement of terns and gulls.
Eventually the sun came out so I headed out Marsh Trail to look for butterflies. 

Little Yellow

A good variety of species came out to take advantage of the sun.  I had 3 Little Yellows, and about 10 Common Buckeye.  It certainly is an incredible year for Little Yellows!

Coming back I was surprised to catch sight of a Dickcissel.  Seems to be a few more than usual in the province this year.

Eastern Comma & Question Mark

Tiger Swallowtail

Question Mark

Over at Blenheim Lagoons, the shorebird spectacle continues.  Fewer birds than yesterday though. 
I did see a Fiery Skipper butterfly!

Fiery Skipper 

It is a usual spot to find this rare immigrant.  I managed a poor photo.