September Stuff and More Rain Events

 Time for another blog post I suppose!  But not much to talk about lately.

Last Friday I went down to Rondeau and dealt with some rain.  There was a fair number of birds, but all expected.  I did a bit of a lakewatch at dog beach first thing, but little was moving.

Quite a few birds were moving through the parking lot.  This Great-crested Flycatcher stopped briefly.

About 18 species of warblers were on south point trail, including Blackpoll which was the most common.  Not chance for photos due to rain and bad lighting!

One of the most common ladies' tresses is showing well now.  Great Plains can be found throughout the park.

On Saturday, a stiff NW wind was forecast, so I headed up to Kettle Point.  Unfortunately, there was relentless rain!  There were brief periods where it stopped, but it kept coming.  

As a result, it was very uncomfortable and soaking wet!  As well, it curtailed the number of birds we saw.

Rainbows showed a couple of times.

However, there were some highlights, including a close Long-tailed Jaeger.  Photos were taken by another birder which can be found on eBird.  This bird was swimming on the water for a while, then eventually got up passing in front of us.

We also saw a Parasitic Jaeger fairly close just before that.  A couple of other distant jaegers remained unidentified.

Red-necked Phalaropes were around, and we caught sight of one as it laboured in the wind in front of us.

It would have been nice to stay there longer, but it was just too miserable and we eventually decided to head out.  There was no rain inland of course!

On the way home, I stopped by Marthaville Habitat Management Area to eat my lunch, and dry out during a walk.

Here are some insects encountered there:

Common Painted-Lady

Slender Spreadwing

White-faced Meadowhawk

It was nice later in the afternoon for a walk at Peers Wetland.  The place is back to "dead" mode!

Yesterday, I ended up at Sarnia.  It was a beautiful day, but no birds to speak of.  The John D. Leitch was downbound after layup.  This ship is likely in its final year, being the last holdout of the old Upper Lakes Shipping.  Not the most attractive design!

Not many insects in the garden lately.  This Hornworm Tachnid Fly was working the garden late yesterday.

Today 'seemed' like a good day to check out Rondeau.  Not really though, as there were very few birds!

Only a handful of warblers and vireos were on south point trail and elsewhere, among other things.

Over at Keith McLean C. L., things are looking better for shorebirds.  Only four Greater Yellowlegs were there today though.  I suspect a Hudsonian Godwit will show soon!

I am still seeing Fiery Skipper there.

As well, lots of Common Checkered-Skippers were out today.

In the history department, the Great Lakes passenger steamer South American burned on this day in 1925 at Holland Michigan.  It was rebuilt and sailed until the 1960's.

I recall seeing this ship and here is the evidence!  Albeit a very poor photo at Seager Park on the St Clair River, late afternoon looking into the sun.

1965

It was eventually towed to Camden, New Jersey on the Delaware River.  I actually saw it in July 1984 when my father and I took a trip to Philadelphia.  It was under the steel structure at Camden, New Jersey as seen near the left of the photo (barely visible).  Note balloon pollution!

From Darners and Skimmers, To a Phalarope and a Pelee Prairie

 Have not done too much lately, as the summer wanes.  This past Sunday was a nice day as I checked out Port Lambton.  This classic laker was downbound, a favourite of many!

Wilfred Sykes

Went for an early morning walk at Reid CA again. Darners are more plentiful right now, especially Lance-tipped and Common Green.

I almost thought I had a Comet Darner, but the immature female Common Green can be a look-alike!  The main difference is that the green darner has an "bulls-eye" above and in between the eyes.  Comet is a bit larger as well.

Dukes' Skippers have done well this year, unlike many other skippers.  I still had a couple fairly fresh-looking ones this week.  Probably latest I have seen them.

Monday, I checked out Keith McLean C. L.  Although the place always has potential there was nothing of note on this particular visit.  Very little shorebird habitat this year, unfortunately. If it does not stop raining we will not have any.

Then, it was on to Blenheim lagoons.  Goal was to see the Red-necked Phalarope that had arrived the previous day. It was there, among many other shorebirds.  Better than it has been.

Two Baird's Sandpipers were still present.

Checked out Erieau marsh trail as well.  A few warblers in the tangles.

In the afternoon it was still too nice to be home, so I went up to walk Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport.  The usual insects were there.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Slender Spreadwing

Less common, were two Slaty Skimmers.

Eastern-tailed Blue has done well this year.  There were dozens at Nicholl's.

Monday night we had heavy rain, something we did not need!  Most of Tuesday was rainy, so there was not much to do or see.

Today, it was down to Point Pelee.  I needed a good filling of warblers, so I thought that was the best option!

I started at the Tip, but nothing was moving on the lake.  

However, the trees at the Tip were being worked by lots of warblers and flycatchers.  Of note, a Prairie Warbler was among them!

This bird spent the whole time in the area while I was there.  I heard that it was still there in mid afternoon.

At one point, I noticed something hanging high in a tree.  I did not pay much attention at first, but then realized it was a bat!  It appeared to be a Silver-haired. I have seen this and several other species at Pelee before.

(highly cropped!)

I walked back west beach trail.  Butterflies and dragonflies were in better numbers that previous visits, but nothing outstanding.

Tawny Emperor

Common Green Darners were quite plentiful there, and all the way home!  Here is one.  Note the "bulls-eye" that I mentioned previously.

Spot-winged Gliders are numerous right now.

I checked out De Laurier next.  There were a few warblers, but highlight was the sighting of two Olive-sided Flycatcher. The first one even sang once, getting my attention.  It is my favourite flycatcher.

Sleepy Hollow had a lot of warblers as well.  Numerous were Blackburnian, Cape May and Bay-breasted, tripping the eBird filter!

I could have spent more time in the park, but decided to head home after a quick check of northwest beach area.

Some Weekend Observations

 Saturday I went down to the Blenheim and Erieau area.  I started at Blenheim lagoons to look at the numerous shorebirds.  They were extremely skittish, so difficult to get on and keep track!  Nothing new, but an apparent "Western" Solitary Sandpiper was present.  It was reported the previous day.

It is not hugely different than the regular sandpiper, but there are some subtle differences. It is possible we have over-looked these in the past, but some have been recorded from time to time in Ontario.  I never got a photo though!  Too skittish!

I did get a photo of a regular Solitary Sandpiper.

A Red-necked Phalarope was present as well.  Always nice to see.

I moved on down to McGeachy Pond, where a number of warblers had stopped on their journey south.  Several species.

Over at the Marsh Trail, more warblers were present, some different than across the road.  Several Cape May and Blackburnian were working the willows.

A nice find was an Olive-sided Flycatcher.  One of my favourite!

Last stop was Keith McLean C. L.  A few shorebirds there.  I looked for butterflies, but there were not many.  I did find several Bronze Coppers.

One Fiery Skipper also caught my eye.

I was not too ambitious this day, so I went home!

Today, I had no idea what to do, but headed east and ended up at Wardsville Woods.  It was an overcast day, but at least the predicted rain did not materialize (no surprise).  The odd warbler was present, including four Bay-breasted Warblers.  Not the best photo...

It was not a good day for insects, but I did see this Common Buckeye.

On my mind was Smoky Rubyspot, since this is about the time of year they appear.  I stopped by Tecumseh Monument park near Thamesville. I managed to see only one, but that was good enough!

Lots of American Rubyspots were around, but no other Smoky.

I looked at mussels while there.  Lots to see.  Pimpleback seems to be the most common there.

Wetland Wandering

 Today I took a long drive and checked out West Perth Wetlands at Mitchell.  It is a premier site for attracting and viewing shorebirds.

I usually head up there once in August each year, but nothing of note had been reported.  I also stop by there on my trips north (usually coming home) for a break from driving.  Last year in September, a Barnacle Goose was present and I managed to see that on my way back from Algonquin Park.  I wondered about its origin, but I see that it was accepted by the OBRC.

Anyway, I noted that yesterday a large number of shorebirds were reported at West Perth, so I thought today was a good time to head up there.  It was a nice drive as virtually no traffic on the roads!

Indeed there were lots of shorebirds.  I estimated at least 190 Lesser Yellowlegs, plus some Greaters (and probably some Mediums too!).

A scope is defintely required here, as most shorebirds are distant.

A Red-necked Phalarope was reported recently, and I managed to spot it at the far side of the one cell.

Later, it came a little closer.  It was a new bird for my list there.

A couple of White-rumped Sandpipers were mixed in as well, but too distant to photograph.

Nothing really rare today, but nice to sort through so many shorebirds.

Shortly before I left, a Great Egret flew over.

My best shorebird there was a Marbled Godwit, seen a number of years ago in September.

Looks like Kettle Point was the place to be today with an incredible number of jaegers!  I am not really interested in standing in one spot these days. I was happy with my observations for today.

The last couple of days I have done some wandering around.  I have no luck in finding anything spectacular though!  Usually I am in the right place at the wrong time, or in the wrong place at the right time, lol.

Saturday, I encountered a Clay-colored Sparrow at Keith McLean C. L.  We do not often see them around here in the fall migration.

Sunday, one of my stops was Moore WMA.  A few warblers were present, but I was once again looking at mussels.  No new species though, but more were exposed as the water levels dropped.

Pink Heelsplitter

Fragile Papershell is common, but has some colour to the inside.

You have to be careful what you do, as you are always being watched!