May Meanderings This Past Week

 Things are picking up, but it is still not booming with birds.  Perhaps the continuous cold weather has had some bearing.

I have been here and there and down to Rondeau a couple of times.  On Wednesday, I managed to scrape up 90 species in the park.  Lots of first-of-year birds of course.  There was a good variety of warblers.

Palm

Blackburnian

Cape May

At one point we got word that a Yellow-throated Warbler was seen at Bennett and Harrison.  We looked around, but could not find it.  A bit later, Steve found it along Lakeshore Road.  However, it did not stay in that location for the rest of us!.  After I left, it was found again along Harrison.....of course.

While hoping to find this warbler, I came across some White-crowned Sparrows around the churches.  One was of the gambelii type which was white lores.  It is an uncommon but regular visitor to Ontario from the west.

On Thursday the Yellow-throated Warbler, it was found again quite reliably along Harrison.  However that day I volunteer at the museum, so could not be at Rondeau.

Friday morning, I was at Rondeau bright and early and the first target was the subject warbler.  I soon found it singing high in some trees.  This bird was still around the next day as well.

It was too early and dark first thing to attempt a photo of the warbler.

(photo from the past)

The morning was clear and crisp.  I did a slow walk along south point trail (east) with some friends.

The Lonely Concrete Structure!

I covered quite a bit of ground in the park.

White-crowned Sparrow

Eastern Kingbird

Northern Flicker

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

In the afternoon I walked a bit out marsh trail  Found a Clay-colored Sparrow which had me stumped at first since I was looking directly into the sun.  Could not get a decent photo....

Saturday, was terribly cool along the lake.  I did not see anything of note, despite some effort in trying to find something!

Today was still cool (again!), but clear and sunny.  

I went up to Dow Wetlands first thing to see Sedge Wrens and a Clay-colored Sparrow.  Each have nested there in the past, so perhaps will again this year.

The Sedge

The Clay

I completely missed seeing Sedge Wren last year, so these were nice to see today.

A couple of Solitary Sandpipers were at Doug's Lookout pond.

I checked out some other spots for birds this morning, but nothing of note.

Oriole of the orchard

This time of year we see lots of blossoms and trees in flower.  One of my favourites is Redbud.  Most around here are planted, but nice to see none-the-less.

More Bugs and Some Elgin County Rarities

 This past Tuesday was a nice calm morning, so I went out to Mitchell's Bay to walk the south shore trail.  Still nothing special, but one noteworthy bird was a Horned Grebe on the Bay.  It was bit too far for a good photo though.  Occasionally we will see one in the area in summer.

This is a Horned Grebe!

The usual bluets were along the trail.  Not sure why they call this one an Orange Bluet, but here it is.

After that, I headed out to Port Lambton to visit with some people looking at boats.  Nearby, I stopped at Brander Park to look at the pond.  There was not much flying, but some (Westfall's) Slender Bluets were still present, making more Slender Bluets!

Swamp Spreadwings were doing the same thing.

Two more Swamp Spreadwings....

Next day, I wanted to check out Skunk's Misery, but that did not work out too well.  Mosquitoes were unbearable!  So, I went up to the Sydenham River, first checking the boat launch at the end of Aughrim Line.  I guess it was a bit too early in the day for much.  Several Stream Bluets were seen in which seems to be a recurring position.

Downriver, I stopped at the Shetland boat launch site hoping to find Dusky Dancers.  Not to be!  All the other usual creatures were there though.

Powdered Dancer

Blue-tipped Dancer

Blue-ringed Dancer

Shetland is also one of the more reliable spots to see Flag-tailed Spinyleg.

Also saw a couple of Royal River Cruisers, but they were cruising!

Blackstripe Topminnows were plentiful as well.

Next day, I did not feel like doing much and stuck close to home.  The garden was busy with all kinds of insects.

Greater Golden Digger Wasp

Lunate Longhorn-cuckoo Bee

another Margined Callipgrapher

Recently I noticed some alien flowers in the garden.  Had no idea as to species, but turns out they were Safflower.  Obviously a result of overspill at the feeders during winter!

I also have several sunflowers that came up this year.

A few days ago, Black-billed Magpies were found just west of St. Thomas-- a family unit, as young birds were seen!  Today, Friday, was the day I headed into Elgin County to see them.  I was not in a position to take an photographs, but I did see at least two of these unique birds were seen at a farm.

I have seen them up at Rainy River on two visits in the distant past where they are fairly common.  So, this was nice to see this species again.  (Although I did find one at Rondeau Park once, but it was banded).  

There were several seen in southern Ontario this past spring, so it is not surprising that a pair hooked up!  Certainly a significant event for southwestern Ontario.

Heading back west and not too far, I stopped at John E. Pearce P.P.  A couple of days ago, Sedge Wrens were found in the Storey Wetland.  An uncommon bird for this area!  They must have arrived recently, as they were not detected earlier in the summer.

Today, I distinctly heard three birds singing, when apparently only two were detected yesterday.  I spent some time there, and even observed one carrying nesting material!

This one was carrying nesting material

I also like this place for insects.  Good for dragonflies. In the past I have had Comet Darner here, but I could not come up with one today.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (most of it)

Red-spotted Purple

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

On the way home, I decided to give Wardsville Woods a try.  Pretty sparse for leps and odes!  The prize of the day was Fawn Darner.  In fact, I saw two of them.

I have had them here in past years, so obviously a good spot to find them.

Great Spangled Fritillary at Wardsville

And, that was it for today!

Some Tuf(ted) Birding

 Been cold the last two days!  Not much new has come in since last Sunday due to the weather.  Some of the birds we are seeing lately probably came in last Sunday. Some tough days of birding!

I went down to Rondeau early this morning.  There was not much to sort through and hardly any warblers.  I did get some FOY birds such as Sedge Wren, White-eyed Vireo, Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler and later Grasshopper Sparrow.  All did not want to be photographed!

Swainson's Thrush

During my time at Rondeau, I heard that a Tufted Duck was at Point Pelee.  Since Rondeau was virtually dead (again), I headed that way.  I did not rush, and took a leisurely pace.

After arrival, I took the tram to the Tip, and had a nice chat with Paul Pratt.  I then headed up the west side, and soon noted a Yellow-throated Warbler working a tree.  I watched it for ten minutes.  As easy find.

Quite a few of these creatures have been around southern Ontario so far this spring, but not one at Rondeau (yet).  Nice to see that one!

I heard that the Tufted Duck was still being seen, so I headed up that way.  Eventually I got good looks at it in the distance.  It was a new Pelee bird for me!  It was tuf tough to see as it quickly moved around.

It is the third one I have seen in Ontario, the last being.....way back....in the winter of 1994 at Sombra!  Long time coming.

A couple of White-eyed Vireos were in the vicinity as well.  Again, I had no luck in photographing one!

Been quite a few of those around recently.

I walked back to the VC via Woodland Trail.  For some reason I keep missing a Louisiana Waterthrush!  Been a nemesis this spring!

I did get a co-operative Prothonotary Warbler though.  A FOY.

Nothing else for the rest of the day, except a FOY Eastern Kingbird.

A good day, but better days are ahead!

Canada Day Adventures 2021

 

On this holiday the best bet was to get some atlassing done north of Wallaceburg.  I decided to get a few more point counts out of the way, starting in my "half" square which runs up the St. Clair River to Sombra.  After four of those, I moved inland to the full square to do some more point counts.  The window is closing fast for point counts, so it was a good opportunity to knock a few off.

First one inland was along Holt Line just east of Baseline Road.  As always, I drive with the windows open hoping to hear something of interest.  I was moving along, but had mis-judged where the next point count was when I heard a Dickcissel!  Turns out the point count location was right there!

There is not a lot of habitat for Dickcissel in my squares, but it was nice to finally find one. I think there were two there.

My next stops were along Smith Line west of Kimball Road, so I went by McKeough then up Duthill Road. Motoring along with the windows down, I once again heard something of interest.  Sedge Wrens!

There is a nice grassy field where they were singing.  It is not often we get nesting Sedge Wrens around here, but once in a while we do.  Often they are associated with an invasion of Dickcissels.

I sat there for some time, but they never showed their faces despite being quite close, so I moved on to my next point count.  Finishing that one , I moved a bit east towards the next stop and once again heard something of interest.  A Grasshopper Sparrow.  They are rare in my district anymore! It was a first one for this year to record for the atlas in my square.  

Nearby was an American Kestrel, which you may not think is noteworthy. But it is!  They are scarce this year, and it was the first one I had seen in any of my squares this spring/summer while atlassing. It was recorded on my last point count of the day.

Next, I moved on to McKeough floodway for a long walk.  I had already confirmed many birds as breeding in previous visits, but this time Yellow-billed Cuckoo made the cut.

I had hoped to find some insects (odes), but there was not much probably because it was still quite early in the day.  A few Banded Hairstreaks were around.

Next stop was Reid CA for another long walk.  I checked out hairstreak central along the way.  Numbers have drastically declined since last weekend, so things are on the down-swing for those now.

Interesting that no Edwards' have showed.  In the past I have seen big numbers at Reid.  Funny how those things go.

Dukes' Skippers should be out anytime, but I did not find any today.

I walked around the big field at the back which can be interesting at times for insects.

A few Appalachian Eyed-browns were flying, but not near as many as last year.

Four-spotted Skimmers are common at Reid.  I find them quite attractive.

I had just finished up the field walk when Pete Chapman and Mary Martin popped into view off the laneway.  We observed various things along the way back, including a Royal River Cruiser.  (It kept cruising though!).

Large Lace Border moth

I lingered a bit at the hairstreak headquarters, and found a Northern Oak.  Very worn, and probably the last one I might see this year.  This photo shows the good side.  The other side was missing about one-third!

I was not done for the day and made a brief stop at Moore WMA.  Did not stay long as it was still wet (tired of wet feet!) and one cannot get into the valley due to high water.

After a quick walk at Wilkesport's Nicholl's Memorial Forest, I made one more quickie attempt at McKeough.  Flag-tailed Spinyleg should be out  anytime, but no dice on that.  I did find one Pronghorn Clubtail, a regular there along the river's edge.

An historical note for today:  Hard to believe, but 70 years ago today, the ferry Daldean arrived at Sombra under much fanfare after being built at Erieau.  How time flies.....

Photo below was taken by my Uncle Bill Abraham as the Daldean passed the family cottage at Port Lambton.  

The ferry now serves Bob-Lo Island.