Some Insects and Shorebirds To Mention

 Things have been rather slow recently, so lack of subject matter here!

This past Monday was another nice day.  I first went out to the St. Clair River and sat at my favourite park (Seager) for a bit.  A classic laker went by, recalling the days of my youth here watching ships.

Saginaw

Back in the day, this ship would have been known as John J. Boland.

My last stop of the morning was a walk at Peers Wetland.  A family of Eastern Kingbirds was along the trail.

At "Chicken Island" a pair of young Great Horned Owls were making some noise.  They did not nest here, but no doubt nearby.

Tuesday morning, I walked Rondeau's marsh trail....mainly for exercise! Early on I noticed a Broad-winged Skipper.  It was in an awkward spot, but I took a photo anyway.  Getting late for them.

There were a few migrant warblers and other birds to keep me busy.  Best bird was a Louisiana Waterthrush.  Only seen briefly though.

Great Egrets

In the afternoon I needed another walk and went to Reid C. L.  A late Appalachian Brown was along the trail.

Also noticed some Giant Swallowtail pupae.

Looked like they were on buckthorn though.  Their foodplant is Hop-Hornbeam (Ironwood).

Thursday I went down to Keith McLean C. L. first thing.  There were a number of shorebirds, the best bird being a Red Knot.  A bit distant in poor light, as usual!

It was still there today.  Seems an annual thing.

Friday there was not much in the way of nature as I was focused on picking up my new car!  Pretty much wore out the old one.  Same type of car, but everything changed and is all digital.  I have to learn all over again!

Saturday morning, the target was the Hudsonian Godwit that was found at Keith McLean C. L. the day before.  I think I missed that one last year, so I had to go.  (It was still there today).  As usual, too distant in poor lighting, which seems to be a theme lately.

Here is one at the same location a number of years ago which was more photogenic.

Today, I first went to Blenheim Lagoons.  This place has not been producing of late, and today was no exception.  But, one has to look!

I continued on and went for a walk at Hillman shorebird cell.  Looking for insects of course.

Hackberry Emperor

Viceroy

Common Checkered-Skipper

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Peck's Skipper

Monarch

The garden was active around mid-day with insects.  Had a checkered-skipper, but after too much fumbling around with the camera, it took off!

Peck's Skippers are plentiful right now.

This insect has an interesting name.

Say's Cuckoo Leafcutter Bee

Things should pick up with regards to birds, so stay tuned.

Notes From This Week August 15-20

 The summer is waning and nights are getting cooler.  I am out as much as possible to see what is around.  Nothing too much of interest this week, but if one does not get out and about, one will not find anything!

The garden has been attracting butterflies.  Several Peck's Skippers have been dueling recently for nectaring sources.

Lots of Silver-spotted Skippers have been frequenting Peers Wetland, along with Least Skippers.

From time to time, different bluets visit the yard.  Not sure on this one, but may be a Familiar.

An evening walk at Reid CA this week revealed the usual suspects.

Royal River Cruiser

Eastern Amberwing (F)

Twelve-spotted Skimer

Friday, I went to Point Pelee to look for butterflies.  It turned out to be a less than ideal day for numbers, but Pelee tends to be feast one day, famine the next!  

Common Buckeye

I did finally see a Little Yellow, but unable to get a photo.  It was basically at my feet on the move, and it kept going higher and higher, over the trees and out of sight to the east.  It was on a mission!

There were not too many dragonflies either, but this Spot-winged Glider posed for a minute.

A couple of Swamp Darners were being a menace.  This photo is from the past:

Birding was good first thing, with many species of warblers on De Laurier trail.   We have had an excellent start to fall migration already.  Cape May and Blackburnian Warblers have been very plentiful.

Later, I stopped by Hillman Marsh and walked around the shorebird cell.  Common Checkered-Skippers are increasing in numbers.

Nothing of note though in the way of butterflies.

E. T. Blue

Today, I went to Strathroy Lagoons.  It seems to be the best place right now close to home.  Forest lagoon complex has almost dried up, and Blenheim only has edge habitat.

There were lots of shorebirds to sort through, including at least 88 Least Sandpipers and lots of Lesser Yellowlegs.

Along the berm, some early Yellow-rumped Warblers were working the trees.

Several bluets were along the edges, including Northern.  It is very similar to the Familiar Bluet, but this one may be a Northern.  I just could not get a decent photo!

After the lagoons, I slid over to Clark Wright CA. It started out quiet, but then I came across a good pocket of warblers, plus an early Philadelphia Vireo.  I was not able to take any decent photos though, as they were constantly on the move through the trees.

Closer to home, I stopped by Moore WMA to look for mussels.  A bit of a change, and I found a Three-ridged Mussel, which was a first for that location.

The usual other mussels included Deertoe, Mapleleaf and Paper Pondshell among others.

Mapleleaf

A lingering Blue-tipped Dancer was there during my visit.  The only one!  Likely the last one for this year.

I stopped by McKeough and Reid, but those locations were very quiet.  I have to check McKeough just in case Marine Blue colonized there.  No luck though.

This Week's Observations: August 7-12

 Things are picking up, not only with fall bird migration, but butterflies and dragonflies.

I was out to Reid CA late Wednesday for a long walk around the back field, and found some Royal River Cruisers.  I got a decent photo of one, and it was good enough to be Observation of the Week on Project Dragonfly on iNaturalist!!  See Post:

Project Dragonfly / Projet Libellule wrote a new post

Observation of the Week: royal river cruiser

This week's feature is a royal river cruiser, photographed and logged by iNaturalist user burgbirder in southern Ontario. The royal river cruiser is a large dragonfly that likes to fly fast, low patrols over open water and sunny pathways.

Show your support by liking and commenting on this Observation of the Week on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and follow us to learn more about Project Dragonfly and other iNaturalist projects.

Join the Project Dragonfly iNaturalist project now to celebrate dragonflies with us all summer long!

Last Sunday afternoon, I went back to Reid CA for a walk (always my go-to place!).  The Great Blue Skimmers were still present.

Other species to look at too.

female Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Some lingering Dukes' Skippers were still messing around.

Earlier that day, I went to Blenheim lagoons to look at shorebirds.  There were lots, and in fact more than I have seen in a long time!  However, no rarities.

Another batch of Common Ringlets are out, as well as other species.  Viceroy butterflies are numerous at Peers Wetland.

One has to keep looking at the little blue butterflies, just in case.  Eastern Tailed-Blue is plentiful right now.

Today I went to Point Pelee to look for butterflies.  As usual I arrive too early, so I looked for birds!  It was a very good day for fall migrants, especially warblers.  The northerly winds the last two days certainly pushed them on.

I saw at least twelve species of warblers.  There were lots of Cape May, and Blackburnian was the most numerous with at least 15.  I spent the first hour at De Laurier.

Things started to warm up as I arrived at Sparrow Field.  Green Darners were the ode of the day with dozens of them through out the park.  There were other species, and I am pretty sure I caught sight of a Great Blue Skimmer at one point.

I did  not go much past the solar panel near the Tip, then headed up west beach trail.  My goal was to see a Little Yellow, but that never materialized!👎

I found a Common Painted-Lady at the Tip parking lot, I think a first one this year for me.

Near the "serengeti" tree, I found a large duskywing.  I was pretty sure Horace's, but had to wait till I got home to study the photo, lol.

Two worn Fiery Skippers were farther up the trail.

I stopped by Hillman marsh to walk around the shorebird cell.  Some checkered-skippers were seen.

A few Peck's Skippers as well.

But, no rarities!

By this time, I was whipped from all the walking!  Headed home.

In the garden was a Peck's and a Common Sootywing.

Boatnerd Note:

WILLIAM E. COREY sailed from Chicago on her maiden voyage August 12, 1905, bound for Duluth, Minnesota to load iron ore. She later became b.) RIDGETOWN in 1963. Used as a breakwater in Port Credit, Ontario, in 1974, and is still there.