More Surprises ! Another Zabulon and a Harvester in the Mix

 The last couple of days I have been at a loss where to go in the morning.  Yesterday I went to Rondeau, but there were no surprises.

Some late migrants were still trickling through as expected.  Some Blackburnian Warblers were still kicking around, as well as others.

Shorebirds are still numerous with certain species.  Semipalmated things such as plovers and sandpipers were in good numbers.

I did have one Least Sandpiper at the east beach off south point trail, which is getting late by early June.

I stopped by Blenheim Lagoons as well, where there were lots of Semipalmated things.

Five White-rumped Sandpipers was a good number for the date.

Today, I really was at a loss where to go!  There are so many places and things to check out this time of year, I have to make some sort of decision.

I ended up going to Skunk's Misery which was a good choice, as it turned out.  It was still quite cool in the morning, which was a good thing as it kept mosquitoes at bay.

I spent quite a bit of time touring around and got most of the specialties, including two Cerulean Warblers.  They were unseen singing in the treetops!

I walked Sitler Woods and got the usual Acadian Flycatcher.

As usual I always look for American Chestnut.

Hooded Warblers were in good numbers, as I heard twelve singing males in total.  I just happen to have a good ear to detect them and other birds!  And yes, I was careful not to double count.

Ovenbirds are in big numbers at Skunk's, and today was no exception.

Red-eyed Vireos were everywhere, but that is to be expected in a place such as this.

Along one creek that has been dredged, I always see fingernail clams.  Very tiny!

Striated Fingernail Clam

While in the area, I decided to check out Wardsville Woods.  By the time I was done at Skunk's, it was after ten and warm enough for insects.

It is a bit early for the rarities, but lots of Midland Clubtails kept me busy.

Back at the pond, I was baffled to see a Zabulon Skipper!  This is the exact same spot I had one last year.

The little pond also had a beaver swimming in it.  That surprised me for such a small pond!

Walking back along the creek, I saw an interesting butterfly going back and forth over the stream.  It was in a difficult spot, so I could not get a good photo.

It suspiciously looked like a Harvester, a unique butterfly not often seen.  And indeed it was.

That was a bonus!

There were other things there of course.

White-striped Black (moth)

Juvenal's Duskywing

This afternoon, I was curious enough to go back to Reid CA and check on the Zabulon Skippers.  I met up with Pete Chapman who had unsuccessfully looked for them.  So, he followed me to the spots and sure enough they were there.   Exact same spot as a couple days ago, not to mention same as last summer.

These things have me baffled.  Do they overwinter?  I must do more research.

These males this year are in the exact same spots as last year both at Reid and Wardsville.  Just too coincidental.

I have yet to check the spot at Wilkesport, and if I find one there, it will be mind-boggling!

More Hairstreak Hunting

 Friday, I had intentions of checking the conservation areas north of Wallaceburg, but that did not last long.  It certainly turned out to be a washout on one of the rare occasions the weather forecast was correct.

I did get some time in at Moore WMA where I wanted to look for the Oak Hairstreaks.  I got there earlier than I wanted to be, but I had to beat the rain.  I spent about an hour and a half there before the rain started, signalling the start of the weekend.  

Always look for Indian Hemp!

It took some time, but I did find four Northern Oak Hairstreaks, all quite worn.

There were several Banded and Hickory, and even a couple of Coral Hairstreaks.

I also saw my first-of-year Northern Pearly-eye.

There was not much else to do the rest of the day since it rained.  Turned out to be a ridiculous amount of rain!  This morning fields were flooded, ditches overflowing and yards under water.

There was little to do this morning since it was so wet, so I headed down to Rondeau Park.  Normally I would not go there this time  year but I had no idea what else to do!  It poured rain on the way down, but luckily it stopped by the time I got there.

The only thing of interest was a young Little Gull on the east beach of south point trail.

Next, I headed east and did some birding at Clear Creek.

The sun actually came out for a bit and my next stop was in Skunk's Misery to look for hairstreaks.  I found a good spot with hundreds of butterflies.  There were a hundred Banded Hairstreaks, a few Hickory.  Despite a valiant effort, I did not find a Northern Oak.

Defective

Worn Out

This one may be an Edwards', but certainly not a classic one.

Butterfly of the day was Tawny Emperor.  I estimated about 300 in the one small area.

The road was littered with them, almost looking like leaves.

At least three Compton Tortoiseshells were among them.

There were other things of interest at this spot.

Lettered Sphinx moth caterpillar

unknown fly

Beggar Moth

Unknown

Heading towards home, I made a detour to Reid CA.  There were a hundred Banded Hairstreaks, and it was difficult to find a Northern Oak.  I did find two though.

These were out early this year, so we may have no more than a week of seeing them this year.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a better day, but who knows!

Skunk's Misery Butterflies and Birds

Yesterday July 2 was the annual Skunk's Misery butterfly count.  It was perhaps the 'slowest' one I have done with regards to butterflies.  There was a lot of milkweed on the roadsides, but virtually nothing on it.
The count tally came in at a respectable 50 species, but there were low numbers of each.

I arrived early and toured the Mosa Forest area listening for birds for the better part of an hour.  It is a great spot for uncommon birds and many other forest birds.  I counted about 6 Hooded Warblers (singing males) as well as a Cerulean.

After we gathered at the Newbury Hospital parking lot, we set out to my usual route of Centreville Drive.  This year I had Quinten and his father with me, along with Lance.

Butterflies were few and far between, but a highlight was a Compton Tortoiseshell.  They are one of the prettier butterflies.

They are somewhat uncommon, but in 2009, there were 62 recorded!

As we ended our walk on Centreville, I was worried that we had not recorded a hairstreak.  We always get some.  Just at the end, Quinten and I found a Banded on Common Milkweed.

Last year, the Skunk's count held the record for the most Banded Hairstreaks in Canada!

Tawny Emperor is common in the Mosa Forest.  We had several on Sunday.

Regarding birds, I heard a couple more Hooded Warblers that I did not detect earlier, as well as Mourning Warbler and a couple of Pine Warblers.
At one point, a Broad-winged Hawk flew over.  They nest in the area, but are uncommon as nesters this far south. See a photo on Quinten's blog.

Centreville Drive is quite diverse in wildlife.  You never know what is flying around.
Back in 2012 during the count, I found a female Great Blue Skimmer.  I think I have a photo of it, but cannot locate it currently  (will add later if found).
Here is a photo of a male Great Blue I found at Point Pelee perhaps the same year.

Back in 2008 we found a new butterfly for Middlesex County in the form of a Green Comma.  Of course Alan Wormington was right on my case (I barely got home and found an email from him!), but we were certain of our ID.  I often do not have a camera on this count, so no photo of the Green Comma unfortunately.

After lunch, we headed out to the NW section of the count circle.  Along Watterworth Road, we first stopped by an open area on Crown Land.

At this area in 2014 we had a Mocha Emeralds flying around.  Not sure why they were there since the river is some distance away, but it was a neat find.

Heading west along Mosside Road, we stopped by a favourite spot of mine along the Sydenham River.  There is some open area here where the bridge used to cross.

There was oodles of milkweed, but once again, few butterflies.  Here were found many Delaware Skippers.

And, I did see a Common Wood Nymph here which I forgot about during the tally!

The rest of the afternoon we mainly drove around.  One of the stops was at the old bridge on Cameron Road.  I like the view of the river from here.

The compilation and BBQ was held at the Prieksaitis residence south of Rodney as usual.
The weather was great and a good time was had by all.