Scenes From The Past Week

 Nothing earth-shattering came my way in the past week, as the "nice" weather continues.

Last Tuesday, I walked out Rondeau's marsh trail to the half way point.  Bird of the day was Dark-eyed Junco!  I tallied about 280.

Yellow-rumped Warblers were numerous as well, with close to 200 of those.

There were not all that many sparrows.  This Chipping Sparrow stood up at one point.

Thursday, I headed up to north Lambton for a change in scenery.  It was a nice calm and clear morning, but I heard no crossbills!  Purple Finches were numerous, as they have been this past week everywhere.

One of the stops was Ausable River Cut CA.

A Cooper's Hawk stirred things up a for a while.

Heading back home, I stopped at Forest Sewage Lagoons.  I had not been there in a long time.  There were some shorebirds including several Greater Yellowlegs, a couple Lesser Yellowlegs, and a couple of Pectoral Sandpipers.

There were very few sparrows. Seems to be the trend everywhere lately, so lots are likely to come.

One last stop was Moore WMA.  I did not find much in the way of mussels.  It has not been a good summer for finding them!  Other than many Giant Floater, this White Heelsplitter stood out.

Friday was rather uneventful.  A stop at Peers Wetland revealed many Rusty Blackbirds.

The wetland has been the driest I have seen it in a very long time.  Lots of mud. Not much water for ducks!

Yesterday afternoon I went for a walk at Reid C. L.

At one point, I came across a patch of small Blue Ash trees, far removed from where I usually see them.  The square stems are a dead give-away.

Today I headed down to Rondeau.  Not much variety in the way of birds, but lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers kept me busy.  There were a couple of other species of warbler including Tennessee and Blackpoll that I saw.

I walked a bit of the dune area near the light beacon.  Lots of Seaside Sandmat which is only found in a few places around the Great Lakes that have appropriate habitat. Rondeau is one of the better places.

Over at McLean's, there were some shorebirds, including a Long-billed Dowitcher on the "island".

Walking back, I managed to see a Nelson's Sparrow pop up.  I was not able to focus on it very well, but at least I photographed one!

One more target for the day was the party of five Western Cattle Egrets in a usual pasture north of Erieau.  Nice to see multiple birds!

We see at least one Cattle Egret here every year.

All for now during this spooky month.

Fall Flings and Things

 Thought it was time for blog post!  There has been lack of subject matter here, hence the long break since my last post.  However, I have been out each day making my usual rounds to various places.

Most of the warblers have passed through, but there have been some decent days especially at the south shore trail at Mitchell's Bay.  The "south" trail is better for bird diversity.   

Great Blue Heron

I visit there about every two to three days, and have not been disappointed.  No rarities (I doubt I will find another Sage Thrasher!), but enough to keep me interested.  Earlier this week I did have a decent look at a male Yellow-headed Blackbird that flew right overhead.  But then, this species is almost expected in that locale.  No chance for  a photo though.

Green Heron

I stopped by the "north" trail once or twice as well.  One gets great views of Mitchell's Bay.  The one occasion revealed hundreds (~800) of Tree Swallows.  No doubt they roosted in the marshes overnight, then dispersed.

Bronze Copper along the trail

Been to Rondeau Park and Keith McLean C. L. a couple of times as well.  The last visit to Rondeau I walked out south beach.  

One large fallen tree had to be dealt with.  I remember when this tree was in the woods!

It was not as productive as I had hoped.  I needed the exercise anyway!  Quite a few Palm Warblers out the beach.

A previous trip, I came across my first and only Common Buckeye of the year.

I stopped by Keith McLean C. L. that day as well, and came across my first and only Fiery Skipper of the year!

Quite a few Common Checkered-Skippers this time of year here and there.

Some Bronze Coppers as well.

McLean's has had quite a few shorebirds, but nothing unexpected.  Some Long-billed Dowitchers have been present lately.

This is the time of year Nelson's Sparrows typically show up, and McLean's is the go-to spot for the most part.  This past Tuesday I stopped in, and got a fleeting glimpse of a Nelson's.  I thought perhaps, it was the first one of the season, but unknowingly to me, SRC had seen one a bit earlier in the day!

I rarely get to St. Clair NWA anymore, but a week ago Friday I decided to go there for something different to do.  Lots of sparrows, especially Swamp in the reeds.  Some Marsh Wrens were along the way.

Little did I know, the NWA was going to be closed this past week for some renovations, till the end of the year.  Glad I went for one last time this fall!

Today I went up to Forest lagoons.  I had not been there in a long time, and this time of year is good for sparrows.  A Nelson's had been seen there yesterday, so why not give it try today?

There were lots of sparrows (especially Savannah), and it was not too long before we saw the Nelson's.

I had not see one there before, despite trying in past years.  Although I was fairly certain I saw one once, but was not entirely sure.

Not as many insects this time of year, but I keep an eye out.  This was a new one for yard.  A Cedar Beetle was caught in a spider web, so I freed it.  It is quite a large creature.

A ruby-throated Hummingbird visited the yard one day.  I managed a fairly decent shot through the porch rails!

Yesterday, after visiting Mitchell's Bay, I stopped by places north of town.  Not much to see! We sure need a change in weather.  This Viceroy was at Wilkesport.  One can only see a hint of the cross-stripe. 

Water levels are extremely low due to lack of rain.  This Greater Yellowlegs was taking advantage of mud at McKeough CA.

A couple of Northern Corn Rootworm beetles were at Peers Wetland. Just happened to catch my eye.

The old moon is full and bright tonight!  It is in conjunction with Saturn, which can be seen just below to its right early this evening.  Though I could not get both in the photo with my lens.

Sparrow Hunting and More Insects

 This past Friday I decided to check out Forest Lagoons.  This place has often been a hotspot for birds of various sorts.  Used to be good for shorebirds, but it has grown in too much and water levels are a bit on the high side.  This time of year it is good for sparrows.

I had the notion to look for the more secretive type such as LeConte's and Nelson's, which no doubt will be renamed in the future!  Both have been seen here in the past.

I spent the better part of two hours there, but despite a valiant effort, I did not turn up either species.   Getting to be too much phragmites as well!

There were lots of other sparrows, especially Song and Swamp.  Some warblers included Palm.  This one posed for a time.

Heading back homeward, I stopped by Marthaville Habitat for lunch break as I often do.  Not many birds there.

The last stop was at Moore Wildlife Habitat Area which I have avoided all summer.  This year it was too grown-in and wet and the river too high due to all the rain.  However, it was fairly accessible now that vegetation is dying down, but the river was running a bit high.  The area near the river has been known for a thick forest of ragweed in the past.  However, this year there is none due to all the flooding!

Some mussels were along the bank.

Deertoe

Giant Floater

Saturday it was Rondeau bound.  Birding was a bit better than the previous visit with more warblers and sparrows.  Lots of Bonaparte's Gulls were on the move, but par for the course for Rondeau, nothing was with them.

Here is a plant in the dunes area called False Indigo Bush.  It is fairly uncommon here, and listed as imperiled in Canada, but is common at Point Pelee.  It may be introduced at Rondeau though. (photos taken along a trail)

I later stopped by Keith McLean C. L.  where many birders eventually came along looking for an elusive Nelson's Sparrow.  One just has to be in the right place at the right time for those most of the time.  Luckily, I managed to see two different ones.

Sometimes they can be co-operative for photos, but often not.  This is what happens when one is not quick enough with the camera!  You can see the orange though.

Not as many butterflies this day, probably due to the wind, but this Peck's Skipper was the path.  Getting late for them.

Sunday  I had no clue what to do, but since there was a decent SW wind, I decided to head to Rondeau and do a lakewatch.  It was very disappointing as not much was moving.  Some ducks were though to keep up interest.

There was a nice sunrise to start.

Birding the rest of the day was a bust....just not much around.  So, I went for a long walk at Reid CA.

Here are some insects.

Common Buckeye (lots!)

Common Checkered-Skipper

Bare-winged Aphideater (new for me!)

These are not identified to species, but there are hundreds of them around right now.

Long-tailed Aphideater Complex

Thick-legged Hoverfly

It was quite windy, so very difficult to focus on these little insects.  This one no specifically nailed down to species, but is a fly.

Neocyptera

Monday, it was all Lambton birding as I went to Dow Wetlands, then Perch Creek Habitat.  Both places are good for sparrows, and there was no shortage of them.  Any bird I saw was too active or unco-operative to get photos!

Way at the back of Perch Creek I managed to get a quick look at a Nelson's Sparrow.  So, not a total loss.

Butterflies included Common Buckeye.  This time of year we often see the "red" form, which is neat.

I stopped by Nicholl's at Wilkesport before getting home.  With the cooler day, there were fewer insects.

Today I did not venture far, checking out Peers Wetland first thing.

No sap on this tree!

Quite a few sparrows, but nothing I wanted.  I once saw a Nelson's here a few years ago though, so there is potential.

White-crowned Sparrow

It was then off to Brander Park at Port Lambton, where there were a fair number of birds.  Quite a few Tree Swallows were near or over the lagoons.  As well, a few late Northern Rough-winged Swallows were mixed in.

Next walk was at W. Darcy McKeough CA.  A fair number of birds, but I could not come up with anything of note.  Always a chance of LeConte's there too, but I have never had one there despite all the years trying.

I went for another walk at Peers in the afternoon, but it was virtually birdless!  Amazing how things change from morning to afternoon.

I photographed this wasp.  Comes up as Catskill Potter Wasp on iNaturalist, something new for me.  Nobody has confirmed it though.

The days are getting too short......