As usual, this time of year I am looking more at insects, but of course birds are mixed in.
Last Monday, I headed to south Chatham-Kent just ot look around, starting at Keith McLean C. L. Highlight there was a singing Dickcissel.
Next walk was at the Erieau marsh trail, but along the way, especially along Bisnett Line, I noticed many trees down. Obviously the storm hit hard there. Nothing of interest along that trail.
I then went to Blenheim lagoons, now that shorebird migration is well underway. There were quite a few shorebirds, including an early Stilt Sandpiper.
It was a cloudy morning, but afternoon was sunny. I checked out insects in the garden, finding most of the usuals, but some other less than usual.
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| Hidalgo Mason Wasp |
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| Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee |
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| Two-spotted Longhorn Bee |
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| Louis's Club-horned Cuckoo Wasp |
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| Two-spotted Bumble Bee |
This green creature was on the back porch, a member of the lacewings.
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| Chrysopa oculata |
Tuesday I spent time north of town. This Green Heron posed nicely at McKeough.
I walked through the floodway a bit, which was a mistake. Ticks were horrendous! Generally they have not been that bad this year, but that location was bad.
Some Wild Indigo Duskywings were interesting though.
Next stop was Reid C. L. I did find a Dukes'.
Some Delaware Skippers were here too.
Broad-winged Skippers were flying, but they never settled down. At one point I thought I photographed a Broad-winged, however I never saw the underwing. Later after a discussion on iNaturalist, it seems that it is a Dion Skipper. Very similar to the Dukes', this is rare in our area. Unless it an abherrant creature, it is new for Reid. Upper wing pattern indicative of female Dion.
Other things:
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| Banded Hairstreak |
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| Question Mark |
Next day I decided to visit Skunk's Misery, mainly along Centreville Drive. I found or heard the usual birds.
Very few butterflies.
I was hoping to see Dukes' Skipper in a known spot, but they never materialized. I spent quite a bit of time there. Northern Broken-Dash were quite plentiful.
An Emerald Spreadwing was there as well.
I next visited Wardsville Woods since it is nearby. Still very few odes! I mainly concentrate along the creek back to the pond.
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| View along the creek |
Basically one of this and one of that.
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| Azure Bluet |
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| Violet Dancer |
Some moths were in the shaded areas.
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| LeContes Haploa |
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| Clymene Moth |
Friday I did the same route to south Chatham-Kent as earlier in the week. It was basically a waste of time! It was cloudy. The Dickcissel was not at McLean's. Nothing of interest at McGeachy Pond, and workers were at the lagoons so there was no sense in walking to the back pond.
I did however hear a singing Dickcissel across the road from the lagoons.
The afternoon turned out sunny as it usually does, so I went up to Reid C. L. I spent quite a bit of time there, but things were not co-operating for photos. I wanted to try and get a photo of a Broad-winged Skipper, but they kept fluttering around.
However, a Dukes' Skipper did pose nicely.
Found one more in a different location.
I checked yet another spot, but no Dukes' there.
Lots of Blue Ash in this area.
The one larger tree I have been keeping an eye on is now barely alive.
Today I had no idea where to go! I opted not to participate in the Skunk's Misery butterfly count this year. Just not the same as it used to be, as interest has waned in these things. I travelled up along the St. Clair River First thing. Stopped at Willow Park.
Dickcissels are once again behind the berm at the old Lambton Generating Station nearby.
I decided to check out the boat launch at Shetland C. A. this morning. It was somewhat productive, but still very few odonates (I guess that is the way it is this year!). I spent the better part of two hours there.
I did find a single Blue-ringed Dancer. They will just be coming out, so it is early.
I was hoping to see Flag-tailed Spinyleg as well. Seems they come out later in the morning! I did finally see a couple.
Its cousin with a black shoulder was also in the vicinity.
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| Black-shouldered Spinyleg |
A couple of Swift River Cruisers were patrolling the river the whole time, but they difficult to photograph in flight, lol. Too swift.
I saw a somewhat interesting dancer in the distance, so I just photographed it. At home, I determined it to be a Dusky Dancer, which is an endangered species. Glad I took the photograph!
I have seen them here before, but they are scarce.
A couple of Powdered Dancers were around.
I often see Blackstripe Topminnows here, and today was no exception.
As well, turtles are often here. I have not seen a Spiny Softshell yet this year, strangely. Perhaps not a good sign. They always used to be here on my visits.
A couple of small Map Turtles were here.
Tomorrow is yet another day!
