Point Pelee Butterfly Count! And Other Notes

 This past Saturday a butterfly count was revived at Point Pelee and surrounding area.  I always used to attend this one, but it was discontinued at least ten years ago.  It has always been in early August, making it a "fall" count.

I was joined by Keith Burk and we scoured the accessible areas south of the visitor centre.  Frankly, it was slim pickings!  A continued theme for this year.

We walked to the Tip then headed back the west side.

West beach trail has always been a prime section to look for good things.  There was not much, but Keith spotted a duskywing.  I immediately recognized it as a Horace's Duskywing!

A nice find indeed.

There were some crescents, which are now tricky to ID.  There is the Pearl, but Northern has been declared two distinct species, depending on timing.  Alan Wormington always maintained that there were three distinct species, so I guess he was right!  I am still trying to understand the situation.

The "Northern " complex (at this time of year) is presently called by its scientific name, Phyciodes diminutor.  Here is one I photographed on the count.

There were other species along the way including Dun Skipper.

I did not photograph some such as Giant Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, Monarch, Orange Sulphur, etc.

We made a second pass on the northern section of the west beach trail.  Things are always changing there, and it was certainly worthwhile.

We found two more Horace's Duskywings in short order.

Farther up the trail, I spotted a butterfly move in the shade. It opened its wings briefly, and I realized it was a Compton Tortoiseshell!  It moved to another branch, but never opened its wings.  However, it was indeed the said species.

There has been a bit of an invasion of this species of late, but it is quite rare in Essex County.  Apparently, there have only been about 17 records, and it is very rare at Point Pelee.

This sighting certainly made the day, after seeing so few butterflies.  Indeed a first for me at Point Pelee.

Keith and I had only 16 species, while the entire count ended up with 39 species.  Our Compton and the Horace's Duskywings were the only ones recorded on the count.

I have been out and about the past week, just not as much as usual, and certainly have not come across much of note.

Silver-spotted Skipper

Monday I came across some neat spiders.  There are lots out there though.  

Spined Macrathena

Arrowhead Orbweaver

Tuesday was quite foggy first thing, as I went for a walk at Mitchell's Bay.

It was such a glum morning, I went home.  But it got a little nicer in the afternoon, so I went for a long walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  

Common Wood Nymph

Common Ringlet

It was a good day for Royal River Cruisers, as I saw about twenty!

I have posted other things on iNaturalist, but there certainly has been a lack of ID participation on that forum of late!

Wednesday was such a glum day, I decided to go the museum to work for a few hours!

Today was yet another foggy morning.  It was quite dense at Wallaceburg, but I went out to Mitchell's Bay anyway.  Better visibility there at least.

It was "museum" all day today, so I was not out.

Some passerines are trickling through from the north, but I have not seen any!

September: Spined Creatures, Insects and Scenes

 This week has been very calm until today.  Not a breath of wind most of the time!  I have been making my usual rounds this week seeing what is around.

One thing of note is that I have been seeing quite a few Spined Macrathena spiders.  These are unique tiny spiders that can easily be overlooked and difficult to photograph.  They are considered vulnerable by the NHIC.

Here is one at Peers Wetland in a usual spot.  Looks daunting on the trail!

I have seen several at Reid C. L., and today I managed a decent photo.

Not much in the yard of interest lately, but this Common Checkered-Skipper spent a day fluttering around.

Goldenrod is blooming now and attracting a myriad of insects.  This Fraternal Potter Wasp was one of them.  Another species considered vulnerable in Ontario.

Here are some various insects during my travels this week.

Eastern Carpenter Bee (lots in the yard!)

Hackberry Emperor (Wilkesport)

A rather Slender Spreadwing

Northern Paper Wasp

Common Wood Nymph (late)

Large Green Stinkbug (neat!)

Ruby-tailed Cuckoo Wasp sp. (non-native)

American Dagger Moth caterpillar

Common Ringlet

On the first day of this month, I figured a walk out Rondeau's marsh trail was a good bet.  Winds have been light out of the east lately, so that was helpful.  

Turned out to be good with lots of warblers, etc.  My favourite flycatcher had at least three representatives.

Stopped by Keith McLean C. L. on the way back home.  Same shorebirds have been there for quite some time!  The bonus Hudsonian Godwit was still present, but too far for my camera gear.

Today, I walked Peers Wetland first thing.  It was finally birdy for a change with several warblers.  Nothing unusual, but enough to keep me interested.  

Red-breasted Nuthatches are plentiful everywhere right now.  Obviously getting out of Dodge up north!

I had things to take care of the rest of the morning, but in the afternoon, I went for a walk at Reid C. L.  Been deathly quiet for birds there lately.  Even the usual breeding birds were scarce there this year.  Most of the time, not a bird could be heard at all.

It was just nice walking through the woods this afternoon.  Here are some random scenes.

Love those old oaks!

Friday looks good for a lakewatch along Lake Erie, so I will likely head there!

End of August Stuff

Not much in the way of rain lately.  We got it all early in the summer!  Sunday evening there was a bit of rain.  Caught sight of this rainbow at home.

 This past Monday, a decent NW wind was blowing so I went up to Kettle Point.  It was slow for birds, but at least we did see a distant jaeger.  Likely a Long-tailed based on behaviour.  It is early in the season, so hopefully lots of good days ahead.

I visited Ipperwash and Karner Blue Sanctuary, but it was dead for everything!

Curious chickadee

Lots of sand up that way!  Big Sand Tiger Beetles feel at home.

Stopped by Marthaville Habitat on the way back for a lunch break.  It is nice in August, as there are prairie-type flowers that have been planted there.

Some insects were seen along the way.

Spotted Spreadwing

Festive Tiger Beetle

Slaty Skimmer

Four-banded Stink Bug Wasp

Tuesday I went down to Rondeau Park.  It was very quiet for birds!  Nothing to photograph.

Wednesday morning I checked out the south trail at Mitchell's Bay.  Finally, there were lots of birds as I spent over two hours there.  Highlight was a flyover Yellow-headed Blackbird, not unexpected in this locale.

Still no good herons...

In the afternoon, I went for a walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  Some insects:

Spined Macrathena (spider)

Lance-tipped Darner

Tawny-edged Skipper

Many Peck's Skippers, which are plentiful right now.

Reid has been deathly quiet for birds of late.  Indigo Buntings nested there in a couple of spots.

Thursday I checked out some local spots.  It was, and has been, dead for migrants!  Only warblers I saw were two Magnolia at Peers Wetland.

Friday, I figured it would be good at Rondeau.  I first stopped at Keith McLean C. L. to check out the shorebirds.  Basically the same things.  Many took off for no apparent reason just as I arrived,  Included were likely the Hudsonian Godwit and a couple of Wilson's Phalaropes since I did not seen them.

On to Rondeau Park and south point trail....  Surprisingly, it was dead for warblers! 

I walked back the beach to look at gulls. There were quite a few, including a juvenile Herring that was banded.  Upon further investigation, this individual was banded on a roof in Port Clinton Ohio earlier this year.  It was observed always begging for food, and quite tame.  Named "Beggar", it was last seen there July 20.

At one point, it conveniently lifted its leg for photographic purposes!

Later, when I got back to the parking lot, a flurry of activity ensued.  There were lots of warblers, as Steve and I chased them around.  An early Blue-headed Vireo was a nice find.

Along the forest edge of south point, there were lots of Monarchs roosting.

This worn Spicebush Swallowtail was among them.

Today was very cool.  Figured it would be good at Mitchell's Bay....and it was!  There were lots of very active warblers and vireos.  Many I could not ID as they were quite flighty.  Highlight was a Prairie Warbler high in the trees.  These seem easier to get in the fall migration.

Quite a few flycatchers, including this Great-crested.

No unusual heron types!

Green Heron

This afternoon was too nice to stay at home, so I went up to Reid C. L. for a long walk.  Very dead for birds (did hear a Common Raven calling to make things interesting). 

Just the usual insects.

Silver-spotted Skipper

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Orange Sulphur

Eastern Comma

Autumn is pretty much here....unfortunately.  However, always a good chance for some interesting birds.