Weekend Tours: Pelee/Strathroy/Skunk's

Saturday I decided to take a run down to Hillman Marsh and Point Pelee again.  The Hillman shorebird cell is being drained, as per usual this time of year, so I wanted to get one last look for shorebirds, etc.
A few ducks were present including up to ten Gadwall, a Northern Pintail (male) and other common species.

Shorebirds included White-rumped, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Dunlin and Semipalmated Plovers.

Two Sandhill Cranes were present--a regular occurrence anymore.

Moving on to Point Pelee, I started at the VC and walked to the Tip.  Just as I was getting out of the car, a smallish raptor quickly flew over which struck me as a Mississippi Kite (sub-adult).  Unfortunately it disappeared behind the trees before I got a good look.  With the northerly wind, it was a good possibility.  One of those that got away......

Even though the wind was northerly, the Tip had some activity.  There were lots of gulls and terns.

Three Sanderlings and two Dunlin were working the sand the whole time.

At least three Common Loons were around.

Further up the west side, a lingering Horned Grebe was close to shore.

I walked up the west beach trail and came across a meadowlark.  It was certainly out of place for the time of year, and thoughts of Western crossed my mind.  However, it seemed to be an Eastern and certainly never vocalized.

With few tourists in the park, I checked out Tilden's, Cactus Trail and De Laurier.  Nothing in the way of migrants.
Since it was a dismal day (forecast wrong again!), there was not much in the way of butterflies.  I did come across this Common Sootywing at Northwest Beach.  They are not too common within the park.

Common Sootywing

I stopped by Hillman on the way back, but it was quieter than before.

A look at Blenheim lagoons was also on the agenda.  A few common sandpipers were present, as well as a Lesser Scaup (only one when I was there!).

Sunday was nicer weatherwise.  Just the opposite to what the forecast said all week.  Saturday was supposed to be sunny (but was cloudy), then Sunday 80 % rain (not decided until Saturday).  After a nice sunny morning, it did rain heavily around lunch on Sunday though, but I was done what I wanted to do anyway.  (same old stuff!).

I did my annual run up Strathroy way, then down to Skunk's Misery.

Napier Road had the usual Clay-colored Sparrow buzzing away, and the pasture birds.

An Upland Sandpiper along Calvert was nice to see since they are becoming scarce anymore.

Clark Wright CA was very quiet this year, and Strathroy lagoons did not produce much.  A lone Ruddy Duck stood out at the lagoons.

Wood Ducks were plentiful there.

Down Watterworth Road, the usual Hooded Warbler was at the Crown Land, but no Acadian Flycatcher.  Perhaps one was further in.

Off Sassafras Road, a couple of Blue-winged and Hooded Warblers were singing away.

A tardy Wilson's Warbler was along the trail.

I came across about 13 singing Hooded Warblers along the roads and trails in Skunk's.  They certainly like the Mosa Forest!  Most remained unseen, but were heard well.

One just drives the roads, stopping at various points.  There are several trails to check out.

It is a good place for insects (not to mention mosquitoes).

Common Whitetail

Black-shouldered Spinyleg

Hobomok Skipper

I also checked out Wardsville Woods, another favourite stop of mine.  The 'annual' Blue-winged Warbler was here again.

Some Peck's and Tawny-edged Skippers were out today.

Tawny-edged Skipper

Wardsville Woods was a former golf course, so watch out for balls!

Middlesex Meanderings June 10

Today I headed into Middlesex County to visit some familiar spots.   I found it generally quiet compared to previous years at this time.
First stop was Napier Road where Clay-colored Sparrows have nested the last several years.  One can see/hear these from the car.  A couple of them were singing their monotone buzz song atop spruce trees.
Just north of that spot is a good pasture for the usual types such as Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark and Grasshopper Sparrow.  I saw/heard all of these.

One of the sought-after birds is Upland Sandpiper, found in the many pastures in the area.  This species has declined over the years due to loss of habitat.  They were regularly found north of Wallaceburg, but I now I have to travel some distance to see one!
I drove several roads, and strangely came up empty for them in spots I have had them before.  So, it was on to Clark Wright CA southwest of Strathroy.
This cozy little natural area is a good place for birds and butterflies.

Hobomok Skipper

Common Painted-Lady

Ebony Jewelwings are now out.

Last year, a Blue-headed Vireo was singing in the woods, and the years previous to that, White-eyed Vireo was present.  None today!
There is usually a Pine Warbler at the back among the Pines, but I even struck out on that.
A Blue-winged Warbler was singing here though, but remained a bit elusive for the camera.

Strathroy Lagoons is not far away, so that was the next stop.  Water levels were very high, so no shorebirds except Spotted Sandpiper.  I did get a bonus bird, an American Woodcock.

The lagoons have been productive in the past at times for shorebirds.  I once found an American Avocet here.  There was even a Snowy Plover once!
Butterflies can be found here, but even those were few and far between today.  Last year, I had several Milbert's Tortoiseshells and Wild Indigo Duskywings.
Some European Skippers were out today though.

Heading back west, I checked many roads again in vain for an Upland Sandpiper.  Good grief!  Not even any Dickcissels in spots they have been in the past.  I did come across this Red-headed Woodpecker along Walker's Line.

I was about to give up in disgust, but made one more pass down McArthur Road.  Finally, there was an Upland Sandpiper.  Not just one, but three in close proximity!

#1

#2

#3

After this, I headed towards Skunk's Misery and started down Watterworth Road.  I briefly stopped at the Crown Land at Argyll Road where I heard a usual Hooded Warbler.  I did not hear an Acadian Flycatcher, but some American Crows were making a ruckus over perhaps an owl.

Into the Mosa Forest area, I walked a couple of trails but found it rather quiet.  It was mid-day, so that was one factor.  I found several Hooded Warblers, but no Cerulean in a usual location.

Great-crested Flycatcher

I came across some Black-shouldered Spinylegs.

I did hear a Magnolia Warbler singing at one point though, not too unusual for the area at this time.

Last walk was Wardsville Woods, west of the village of Wardsville.  I like this little spot and stop there any time in the area.  As mentioned in the past, it was once a golf course (more natural one). It is good for butterflies, but again, I did not see many today.
Blue-winged Warbler is here, and there is more than one.

I heard one singing an odd song, but never saw it, so who knows if it was a pure bird.
I will probably stop by here in about a month to check for more butterflies.

Black-shouldered Spinyleg

Another Shorebird

After yesterday's incident, I headed north.  Plans were dashed as it poured rain, so I came home early.  One never knows what the weather will be since forecasts are wrong about eight times out of ten anymore.
I stopped at one of the lesser known sewage lagoons at Forest.  Sometimes there are things to see there and today there were a few shorebirds.
I was heading to Joany's Woods north of Sylvan, but the pouring rain turned me away.  It is a fairly recent acquisition by the Thames Talbot Trust and is quite unique.  Another time.
What to do?  Strathroy was not far away, so I headed to the lagoon site.  This lagoon has had a fairly decent showings of shorebirds in the past.  I think a Snowy Plover was there once.
Although still raining, I went in and looked at shorebirds along the edge.  A good number there, but farther out was another mudflat.  Lots of birds again.  I scanned and something stuck out.  An American Avocet!  Still had some colour and likely a male due to curvature of the bill.
I have been in an Avocet drought in recent years, until this spring when I saw the ones at Hillman.  I saw these impressive shorebirds quite regularly for a number of years, including many I found myself.
No photos today due to the rain.
Photos of the Avocet can be seen at:  Strathroy Avocet
Thanks to local resident Erin Carroll for getting those photos!

Another photo of the Red Phalarope from yesterday.  Not sure why I misidentified it originally, but my first look in the morning was not satisfying.  Just as I arrived and spotted it, a maintenance worker drove in and the birds flushed.  I assumed it was a  Red-necked.  I never saw it again until I went back in the afternoon.  Something seemed odd about it for a Red-necked, but it never dawned on me until later to check it further.
I was going over photos, etc. in books when I got an email from Alan suggesting it is likely a Red Phalarope. That led me to more searching and I finally found a similar match for a Red Phalarope (adult moulting into winter plumage). I'll blame it on the heat!

Very early for one and I would assume a record early fall migrant for Rondeau area.  I have only seen one before in the Rondeau area (Erieau channel) in October many years ago.  We usually see them on the lakes such as Point Edward or Point Pelee Tip.  I have seen a few at those locations.