Finishing Out April: Some Nice Birds

 It was down to Rondeau again on Sunday where I added some more first-of-year birds.  However, the weather left something to be desired.  Lots of rain!  In fact, it was certainly more than the forecast called for.  

Later on, Steve and I started out on Spicebush trail and the floodgates (not the bird kind) opened up when we were less than half way around.  Needless to say, we headed home after that!

Solitary Sandpiper

Monday was a nicer day, and I was back to Rondeau to make up for lost time.  After walking Spicebush trail, I did the long walk down Rondeau Road along Gardiner and back up Harrison.  Not a lot of birds, but enough to keep one interested.  Some first-of-year were added.

Included were two Whip-poor-wills.  They happened to be trailside as I walked by, and they flushed.  The one did not go far, so I was able to get a photo.

While I was in group campground, an alert came out that a Summer Tanager was near Tulip Tree trail (TTT).  Since I completely missed that species last year, I HAD to go for it.

It took a while to get there, since I had to get back to the car and drive down that way.  It was soon found on TTT, alerted to us by its singing.  Unfortunately, I could not get on it with the camera, but we had good looks.

The only thing I could photograph there was this Pileated Woodpecker on the ground.

Next walk was down the west side of south point trail with Kevin.  Just a smattering of birds here and there, but lots of Wood Thrushes had come in.  

This one posed for us quite nicely.

Of course, the invasion of American Painted-Lady and Red Admiral continues.

At one point we encountered this small snapping turtle.

Lots of plants coming up, and for whatever reason, I photographed this Rattlesnake Fern.

Today, I intended not to go too far, but as fate had it, I did!  I started at the south shore nature trail at Mitchell's Bay, thinking there would be lots to see.  There was not.  The only new for the year was a Least Flycatcher.

The Snowy Egret that I found and reported on the 27th was still around.  I first saw it way off in the distance in a tree, as this little white dot in the photo shows.

It later came closer, but still not the best position.

After finishing the trail, I pondered what to do.  The Glossy Ibis was again seen near Hillman Marsh, so I decided to go for it.  While on the way, a Harris's Sparrow was reported within Point Pelee.  So, you guessed it, I ended up at Point Pelee too!

The ibis was in its place when I arrived, but a little distant.

It took flight at one point.

Ibis silhouette

I then checked out Hillman shorebird cell but nothing of note was there. It is always a crapshoot, but at least they finally drained some of the water.

Upon arrival at the VC in Point Pelee, I headed to the parking lot where the subject sparrow was being seen.  It was still there.

The rest of the morning was all walking.

Red-headed Woodpeckers are quite plentiful right now.  One wonders where they all go!

Lots of American Ladies and Red Admirals again.

And, Juvenal's Duskywings are having a good year in Pelee for whatever reason.  I counted eight on west beach trail between Dunes and NW Beach.

Quite a few Questionable Marks too.

Last highlight of the day were the 24 Willets on the beach at Wheatley Harbour.

Then it was time to head home, viewing flooded fields.  Down that way, there was a tremendous amount of rain....again!

Floodgates Open!

 As expected today, there was a huge influx of migrants, and some rarities.  Things seems to have been held up until now.  Point Pelee revealed the expected early rarities including Kentucky Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat and Henslow's Sparrow.

Rondeau reported a couple of Yellow-breasted Chats as well, so obviously they have arrived!

There were lots of first-of-year birds for me as well as others.  I started at the south shore nature trail at Mitchell's Bay expecting something of interest, and I was not disappointed.

Highlight was a Snowy Egret that I found and identified quite easily through the shrubbery.  There had not been one reported previous to today to my knowledge, but this one was not surprising in that particular area.  It was not close, so only a very poor photo was obtained.  However, you can see the size difference.

I have had good luck with this species over the years, as this one was at least my eighth self-found.

Other new birds for the year included, Solitary Sandpiper, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Yellow Warbler, Baltimore Oriole and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.  Also heard a Northern Waterthrush constantly singing, but I saw one at Windsor on January 5 this year!

Baltimore Oriole

My visit there was cut short due to incoming heavy rain, but the rain later stopped for others to see the first of the year Snowy Egret.

I was due in Sarnia later in the afternoon, so did not go far today.  I stopped by Peers Wetland in anticipation of some new birds.  There were more Yellow-rumped Warblers in, and a few Palm Warblers, but nothing else of note.

Palm Warbler

Tomorrow should be quite good as well, so will check out Rondeau and area!

Yesterday, it was quite disappointing for birds in a visit to Rondeau.  I should have stayed home!

In the afternoon, I went for a walk at Reid CA.  Here are some scenes from there.

Wood Anemone

Interesting moss "island"

patch of Largeflower Bellwort

It is time to look at insects as well.  I keep finding new ones for my list at Reid.

Dunning's Miner

probable Black and Yellow Nomad Bee

It will be another kick at the can tomorrow.

Same pop can at Reid I found about ten years ago!

August Anecdotes: Bugs and Birds!

 The summer is certainly passing by very quickly it seems!  Taking advantage of every day, I always go somewhere in search of interesting things.

Wednesday I stayed in the local area.  An early morning walk at Peers Wetland revealed some resident birds.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Naturally, I went to Reid CA as well!  No migrant birds that I could find, but the usual insects were easily found.

Dukes' Skipper

Broad-winged Skipper

Lance-tipped Darner

Royal River Cruisers were too busy "cruising", so no photos this day!

In the afternoon, I stopped at the old work shop at Port Lambton to see how things were going.  Nearby at Brander Park, I came across this Orange Mint Moth.  They are very tiny, but an attractive creature that I always liked.

Thursday, I headed Rondeau way, first stopping at Keith McLean C. L.  There is little shorebird habitat there this year, but a puddle beside the field had a few birds, including Gimpy, the Short-billed Dowitcher.

Lesser Yellowlegs

In a last minute decision, I went into the Park.  Actually I had not been there since around the first of June!  I opted to walk out marsh trail, which was easy walking since they had gone through with a Bush Hog in the not too distant past.

It took a while before I came across some migrant warblers, but the first one I looked at was a Prairie!  Unfortunately, I was looking into the sun, and there were too many branches in the way to get a photo. Nice to see them in fall migration.

Also saw a few Cape May, a Bay-breasted, Tennessee, and a redstart.

Like many places, things have really grown in.  This rainy summer certainly has helped in that regard.

Dock at the old half-way parking lot

Some butterflies were seen, including three species on part of a dead fish.

Viceroy, Spicebush Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail

Friday, it was down to Hillman Marsh for the long walk, which I always enjoy.  Potential for something good is always there....but not when I am it seems!

At the boardwalk area, I decided to make a quick check for Dukes' Skipper in a certain spot.  Well, that did not take long!

During the long walk, the Dukes' cousin, Broad-winged Skippers, were indeed plentiful.  I saw at least 25!

Some other leps:

Bronze Copper

Common Checkered-Skipper

Couture Dyke is not part of this walk, but one can look over that way in the distance.  I could see lots of egrets.  Too bad I did not go there after my walk, as on my way home, there was word of a Snowy Egret!  In fact, a second one was seen that evening.  Cannot get 'em all!

Always looking for anything interesting, I photographed these flower flies.  Turns out they were Long-nosed Swamp Flies, which I had never looked at before.

Today.....you guessed it, I had to go back to Hillman Marsh to try and see a Snowy Egret.  I checked Couture Dyke first, but there were no egrets in the marsh.  Several were on the sand spit though, with hundreds of gulls, terns and cormorants.

While there, I got word that one of the Snowy Egrets was near Hillman bridge.  Next stop was the bridge, where I could see the Snowy Egret in the distance.  Mission accomplished.

small white spot is a Snowy Egret!

I took the long way home, and stopped at Blenheim Lagoons.  A good number of shorebirds were present, including two Wilson's Phalaropes in the sprinkler cells.

LEYE !

The Baird's Sandpiper was still present, and in fact there may have been two.  The birds moved around quite a bit.

That was it for running around today.  WAMBO is this weekend in Wallaceburg, so I visited with many people along the waterfront.  Many of my "projects" were in the show!

Noticed this tiny insect in the garden today:

Pennsylvania Ambush Bug