Some May Odds 'n Sods (and Snakes)

 I have been out on occasion lately taking in some migrants and other things.  With this hot and dry weather, there have been new birds coming in, but likely the migrants are continuing north.

Sunday I came across a good variety of birds at Rondeau and added several FOY birds.  Black-billed Cuckoo, Alder Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo and Mourning were some of the finds.  Many were heard only, as the leaf-out is quite advanced.

On the beach off south point trail we came across a pair of Wilson's Phalaropes, unique to the park.  I do not recall seeing any 'within' the park!  They seem to have taken a liking to the dog beach area.

At the end of the outing, I had tallied a respectable number of species.

I stopped at the Blenheim lagoon site before heading home.  The Eared Grebe was still hanging on.

Monday, I went to work, but late in the afternoon I stopped by Reid CA to catch up on bird life for the atlas.  Also, some insects were out and about.  Reid is a good place for observing various insects, including dragonflies.

Common Whitetail

Common Baskettail

Some FOY butterflies were Silver-spotted Skipper, Juvenal's Duskywing and Giant Swallowtail.  I did not have much luck photographing things, but did get the skipper

Tuesday I went down to Rondeau in the morning. Some new birds were in, but there are obviously more to come as the breeding birds were thin in numbers.

Steve C. and I spent time walking and highlight was a singing Connecticut Warbler.  As per usual, it remained quite elusive, but the song was nice to hear.

At one point, I was summoned to the side of the road to observe a large snake.  I was not sure of species at first, but this one was a very dark individual.  It turned out to be an Eastern Hognose snake.  Unfortunately it had been hit by someone likely not paying attention (as usual).  I had never seen the dark form before.

We do not see hognose snakes as much as we used to, but I have seen a few over the years.

This time of year, I always look for Showy Orchis at a usual location.  This day did not disappoint.

Before leaving the park, I walked a ways out marsh trail.  Some butterflies were seen.

American Painted-Lady

A cloak!

It was getting hot by noon hour, so I worked my way to Chatham where I was scheduled to get my first dose of the COVID vaccine.

There are still more birds to come, and hopefully some rarities which have been fewer this year than last.  Many birds will be heard only!

A Good Start for Thanksgiving Birding

With the change in weather overnight, it was obvious birding would be good especially along Lake Erie.  Rondeau Park was hopping with birds, and a decent raptor flight was in the works.  Most often birding seems to be good on Thanksgiving weekend!

Some TV's at Dawn

I met Steve Charbonneau at Dog Beach early in the morning.  There was not much moving on the lake, but a number of Ruddy Ducks were flying to and fro.

At south point trail, we got out of the car to find a multitude of birds.  Most were Yellow-rumped Warblers, but we stood there for some time.  Early on I spotted a "Yellow" Palm Warbler which was obvious due to the all-yellow look.  There were lots of regular Palm Warblers as well.
It took us almost 3 hours to do south point trail (east side); certainly the best day yet this fall.  We ended up with at least 17 species of warblers including a nice Bay-breasted near the light beacon.

maggie

Others included a Tennessee, 3 Northern Parulas, a few Orange-crowned and Black-throated Blues among others.

O.C. Warbler

redstart

Bay-breasted

Parula

Vireos were rather absent today, but we did see a couple of Blue-headed together.

Maintenance Loop

Raptors were moving on the NW wind.  At least 12 Bald Eagles were seen, but it was difficult to ascertain how many were actually seen.

A few butterflies were out including a late Silver-spotted on the maintenance loop.

My next stop was Blenheim Lagoons where a few shorebirds were present.  As expected this time of year, Long-billed Dowitchers were there.  Up to five have been seen all week.

Some swallows were flying about including at least 4 Barn.

Several Common Checkered-Skippers were around.  It was quite windy today, so it was not the best day for leps.

Week's End Post

Weather was certainly fabulous this week.  Now that it is the weekend, things will deteriorate as usual (!).
It was very calm this morning.

Looking towards Walpole Island this morning

That lonely loon was still off Baby's Point on the St. Clair River this morning, giving its haunting call.  It has been at the same location for at least two weeks!

I took a short walk at Reid CA after work this afternoon and noted lots of butterflies.  Silver-spotted Skippers and crescents were quite numerous, and in fact it was the most I have seen at the location at once.

European and Peck's Skippers were out as well.

In a little over a week, hairstreaks will be showing up! It is that time of year already.

The odd ringlet was mixed in.

Today's Sightings

Well, not much to report as it is a weekday and I was at work.  I woke up this morning to the tune of a Warbling Vireo in the yard.  There was virtually nothing at Brander Park, Port Lambton this morning strange as it may seem--where are the birds?.  The Black Terns have not even arrived. 
However, I briefly stopped at Stewart Wetland and a few shorebirds were there.  Species included Lesser Yellowlegs, Dunlin, Solitary Sandpiper and of course Killdeer.  I did not have a scope though.

Solitary Sandpiper in flight

This evening, after being discouraged by all the good birds reported on Ontbirds, I headed up to Reid CA for a walk.  A Yellow-rumped Warbler greeted me at the gate, but that was the end of the warblers right there!  Except there was a pair of Common Yellowthroats in the old oxbow.

A solitary Solitary Sandpiper

I scared up two Solitary Sandpipers in the wet area. One went up to the back field and I managed some low quality photos. I had them there last year as well.

Question Mark on log

Juvenal's Duskywing on Wild Geranium

Butterflies included several Juvenal's Duskywings, Question Marks, Spring Azure, Red Admirals and the first Silver-spotted Skipper.  I do not know when the Silver-spotteds usually first appear, but it is early.  According to some literature, this species does not appear until at least mid May, and usually later!

Silver-spotted Skipper on Dandelion

Pelee-Hillman June 21

I was due for an outing to Pelee, so I went today to look for butterflies. I did not find any rare ones, but there was lots of variety. Last week some rare immigrants were found such as Cloudless Sulphur and Southern Dogface. Henrietta O'Neil found the dogface at the north end of the park. I am told it was the first record there since 1931! Horace's Duskywing was also observed and was first record of first brood for Pelee.

Anyway I saw Orange Sulphur and Clouded Sulphur, but not one without clouds!

There were a few Giant Swallowtails and Spicebush Swallowtails.

Giant Swallowtail

Other species included American Snout (2), Painted Lady, American Painted Lady, Azure, crescents, Little Wood Satyr, Question Mark, and a single skipper (probably Least).

American Snout

Over at Hillman Marsh I added a couple of Silver-spotted Skippers and a Viceroy.


Other things included a melanistic Garter Snake and a Yellow Warbler Nest at West Beach Parking lot.

The only notable bird was a Mockingbird along the south end of West beach trail.
I saw Orange Bluet damselflies among the many other damselflies and dragonflies.

Orange Bluet

A Black-bellied Plover was in Hillman Marsh shorebird cell.