Looking Locally

 In the last week, I have just been going to local haunts. Not a lot of ambition in this hot weather!

A couple of visits to Blenheim lagoons revealed the usual stuff.  

Last Friday a Peregrine Falcon was buzzing the shorebirds.  I did not realize until I took photos, that it was a banded bird.  I have not pursued the origin of the bands though.

Also I have been to Mitchell's Bay early mornings a couple of times since it is close to home.  Not producing anything of note there though!  However, it is just nice to sit on the dock for a while with a breeze coming in off the lake.

Sunday morning I went up to Dow Wetlands for a walk. 

Cup Plant

At least one Clay-colored Sparrow was still present among other sparrows.

A couple of Slaty Skimmers were around one of the ponds.

On the way back, I made a quick stop at Wilkesport.  A couple of Royal River Cruisers were cruising!  This one briefly stopped to be photographed.  Since it is my favourite ode, I always attempt a photo.

A few insects have been visiting the garden, but certainly not as many as usual this year.  This mason wasp is one of the less common ones, called Perennial.

Different butterflies included Eastern Giant Swallowtail.

Not many odes of course, but while watching the swallowtail, I noticed this tiny Fragile Forktail.

On Monday, I decided to go to Rondeau as I had not been there in many weeks.  A long walk out marsh trail to the half way point and back did me in for the rest of the day.  The heat and humidity gets to me more than it used to!

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Swamp Rose Mallow decorates the edges of the marsh, and is fairly abundant out the marsh trail.

And wild rice is doing well.

Today I was interested in going to Strathroy lagoons, as many shorebirds had been reported recently.  Although no rarities, there was a lot to sort through.  Habitat is excellent there for shorebirds.

The best bird today was a Wilson's Phalarope.  As in most cases here shorebirds are distant and difficult to photograph as the ponds are large there.

On the way home, I stopped at the Shetland CA boat launch.  As per usual this year, it was disappointing for odonates.  I found a few of the usual things.

Blue-ringed Dancer

Violet Dancer

Eastern Forktail

Flag-tailed Spinyleg

Black-shouldered Spinyleg

A few Blue-fronted Dancers were around, but this one caught my eye due to its bent abdomen.

Anglewings have been scarce this summer, but this Eastern Comma was a beauty.

No Zabulon Skipper this time, but a Peck's Skipper took its place today.

Turtles included Spiny Softshell and Map.  The Map turtles were a bit distance on a usual deadhead.

Of course, Blackstripe Topminnows were ever present.

A couple of Royal River Cruisers were around, but not in any position to be photographed there.

However, some were at Reid Conservation Lands on my last stop today.

Dukes' Skippers may now be done till next year, as I did not see one.

Forgot about the annual Perseid meteor shower last night.  It was cloudy and rainy anyway....lol.

The Old Moon

Some Thanksgiving Weekend Birding

 

I have been out the last couple of days looking around for birds.  It has been somewhat uneventful but one has to get out and try!  Still lots of leaves on the trees, so birds hid well.

Friday morning I started with a lakewatch at Rondeau.  The wind was not ideal, but it is always a good way to start the day at this time of year.  Lots of gulls were moving and a variety of ducks, but nothing of note.

We checked out south point trail afterwards.  Blackpoll Warblers seemed to be the dominant bird in the warbler category plus Yellow-rumped, but few other species.

Palm Warbler

Lots of Pine Siskins were flying overhead.  Soon we should see some Common Redpolls as many have been reported a bit farther north!

After the birding in the park, I stopped by Keith McLean Conservation Lands.  I spent a good amount of time there, as things are always changing.  Lots of birds fly overhead here, and one can get a good look at the sky.

Dunlin were the dominant shorebird, with a few other species mixed in.

Lots of Savannah Sparrow were in the weeds, and we were successful in seeing a couple of Nelson's.  They are often difficult to photograph, but this one co-operated nicely!

A lingering Sora was the other noteworthy bird.

Some butterflies were in the weedy area, including this Common Painted-Lady.

Several Bronze Coppers were seen.

Today, Point Pelee was calling, so I headed there on a stiff SW wind.  There was a fair bit of activity at the Tip, but once again nothing of note.  Many of the gulls were far out, as has been the case most times this fall.

There is a decent sand spit, and today there were three "islands" that the gulls were happy with.

A Peregrine Falcon made several appearances at the Tip.

At one point, I noticed a Savannah Sparrow lurking around the rocks at the Tip.

Lots of Turkey Vultures were riding the wind.

After a somewhat disappointing Tip Watch, we headed north.  A good amount of time was spent at De Laurier.  

Last weekend a Plumbeous Vireo was present, and all this week many birders were looking for it with no success.  However, it was probably still around.....somewhere!

The trail was busy, but a bonus bird made the day.  A Northern Saw-whet Owl was spotted by some keen observers.  Notice its lunch to the left!

There was a fair bit of activity at the back along the boardwalk to keep us busy.

To the north of the parking lot, a Cloudless Sulphur has been hanging out.  I noticed it travels widely, but I did manage a record photo.

At the parking area, there were lots of sparrows to watch as I ate my lunch.

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Then, it was time to jet, as too many tourists were invading the park on this holiday weekend!