Oblique Things and Sightings of Late

 Nothing too earth-shattering this week.  I have been looking at insects lately, and today especially, there was a multitude of butterflies.

With asters in bloom, many little insects have been attracted to the flowers.  Oblique Streaktails have been plentiful.

Oblique Streaktail at Peers

Oblique Streaktail at Rondeau

Yesterday, I came across another insect with oblique in its name.  An Oblique-banded Pond Fly was at Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport.

Some other insects:

Bramble Mason Wasp 

flower fly sp.

This past Monday afternoon was nice enough to go for a long walk at Reid CA.  I encountered three Royal River Cruisers, certainly the latest I have seen them.

getting worn!

Some butterflies included Silver-spotted Skippers and Common Buckeyes which are very abundant this year.

Common Painted-Lady

And the tiny things:

Tufted Globetail

Of course, a mussel shell cannot go un-noticed along the way.

Giant Floater

Tuesday I was interested in the long walk out Rondeau Park's marsh trail.  I went as far as Long Pond, a familiar 11 km round trip.

It was interesting, with lots of birds, but nothing unusual.  I had hopes of finding a Nelson's Sparrow, but despite a valiant effort, I came up empty on that front!

Several birds tripped the eBird filter, including Swamp Sparrow where I tallied 120.  

Wilson's Snipe kept popping up with at least 31 seen.

Quite a few Marsh Wrens are still around.  I saw/heard at least 20.

There were not too many warblers, but Palm seemed to be the most numerous.  Among various species, there was Orange-crowned and Ovenbird.

There were a few butterflies including Least Skipper.

And, just as I was leaving the trail, a Fiery Skipper caught my eye at a bad angle.

I checked Keith McLean C. L. before going home.  No Nelson's Sparrow seen!

Yesterday, I stayed fairly close to home, but did not find anything to write home about.  I went for a walk at Peers Wetland, and in the afternoon, a pleasant walk at Wilkesport.

Lots of flower flies, and the following one was very numerous. However, it is too difficult to ID as to species.

flower fly sp.

Tufted Globetail

Common Whitetail (F)

Today, seemed like a good day to go to Rondeau.  I had anticipations of a good lakewatch at dog beach, but not too much was seen.  Better days ahead no doubt!

I then walked south point trail (east), but found few birds.  However, there was  crazy number of sulphurs and Common Buckeyes, among other butterflies.  Probably saw close to 40 Buckeyes!

It as then off to Keith McLean C. L. to see what was around.  I met Steve there, and we looked for Nelson's Sparrows to no avail.  There is not as much good habitat this year it seems.

After Steve left, I ate my lunch, then decided to go for another walk.  It was successful!  Although not a close look in good light, I came up with my first Nelson's Sparrow of the year.

This area was also littered with Common Buckeye, sulphurs, and others.  This Bronze Copper caught my eye at one point.

There are probably some interesting days ahead with birding, as I like October!

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the yard

Some Early Autumn Sightings

 There really has not been much of interest lately as autumn is upon us.  Seems like it was all downhill since my week-long trip!  As I write this today, summer is back!  Way too nice and warm for this time of year, so bird activity will be slow.

In the last week, I have been to Rondeau Park three times.  Been a bit slow, but the last time, Steve and I did a flight watch first thing in the morning on Saturday.  A fair number of birds were moving. Most warblers were Blackpoll as expected.   Several Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were on the move as well.  It is always interesting to seen what flies over.  One of these days, we may get a rarity!

We have been checking Keith McLean C. L. for Nelson's Sparrows,  but have not had any luck, strange enough.  There is not as much ideal habitat this year compared to last though, but they will appear soon!

I walked out marsh trail the first two visits to Rondeau.  Seemed like the best thing to do!  Lots of Sora still calling.  Not many ducks have yet come in, likely due to the mild weather.  

South Point trail was very quiet on Saturday.  Here are a couple of insects photographed.

Bramble Mason Wasp

Eastern Hornet Fly

Yesterday I went to Point Pelee for a change, and afterwards walked around the shorebird cell at Hillman.  It was disappointingly quiet for everything!  There was not much to photograph, even in the insect world.  Here are a couple of things I photographed.

Oblique-banded Pond Fly

Common Drone Fly (alien!)

Common Checkered Skippers are quite common right now.

American White Pelicans are a regular sighting in the Pelee area anymore.  There were around 24 at the Tip first thing, but I did see a single bird way out off the west side.  Pretty obvious, even at that distance.

This IS a pelican!

Raptors are heading south this time of year.  I have not done any watching yet, but this young Red-tailed was over Point Pelee.

The garden is dying off as one would expect, so there are not many nectaring sources.  I did capture a few things with the camera this week.

One-spotted Stinkbug

Marmorated Stinkbug

Scythris sinensis (moth)

Silky Striped Sweatbee

Eupeodes americanus

Yellow-legged Flowerfly

genus Ectemnius (?)

Locally, Peers Wetland is getting a makeover.  Some dead cottonwoods have been cut down, and the trail is getting "paved".

I heard that eventually the parking lot will be moved to a more suitable location.