Early August Anecdotes

 The first week of August is about done already!  I was out and about as usual, so here are some photos.

Saturday I checked out both the north shore and south shore trails at Mitchell's Bay.  Nothing of note seen.  The north shore usually has mud, but there was none for southbound shorebirds.  There is some "matting" farther out that might be attractive.

Some Great Egrets were perched and preening.

Swamp Rose Mallow is quite regular in various spots.

Sunday was uneventful, but Monday was a great day to be out in the fine weather.

After a drive along the river, I stopped for a walk at Nicholls Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport.

Cedar Waxwing

Common Wood Nymph

Then it was a stop at Reid C. L.  Some of the usual butterflies were showing their wear, as expected this time of year.

Dukes'

Peck's Skipper

Spicebush Swallowtail

And of course I never pass up an opportunity to photograph a Royal River Cruiser.

I also saw an unwanted alien in their midst.  This small creature is an Emerald Ash Borer.

I was home by noon, but got word that a Zabulon Skipper was visiting a property near Brigden.  I actually had this species on my mind in the morning, so naturally I headed up to Brigden!

First off, several Mocha Emeralds were flying around.  I had not yet obtained a photo of one this year, so this was my opportunity.

In fact, there were many Mochas flying around the property!  Never saw so many.

The target of the day took a while to find, but there it was. I knew from experience that once Zabulon's find a spot they like, they will stick to it.

While there, we looked at the resident Dukes' Skipper population.

Hummingbird Clearwing moths were working the Bergamot.

Tuesday, I went to Blenheim lagoons to look at shorebirds.  Target was the Red-necked Phalarope duo that was reported the previous day.  They were there, but unfortunately too distant to even attempt a photo.

Lots of other things to look at as well.

Least Sandpipers with a Semipalmated Sandpiper

Lesser Yellowlegs

Wednesday, I felt like going farther afield, and ended up at Strathroy.  I first stopped at Cuddy Woods CA northwest of the village.  I had never been there before, but it is a neat little place.  A number of Common Hackberry trees are here.

It has a pond, and the north end is muddy.  The local Black-necked Stilts have frequented this spot, but I was obviously too early in the day for them.  (They showed up later!).

My next walk was Strathroy CA within the village.  I did not see much of interest there, and things that I did, did not co-operate for the camera!

Scene along the Trail

On the way home, I stopped at Shetland CA boat launch to look for odes.  Very scarce!  I did see a Blue-ringed Dancer, but like everything else this day, did not co-operate.

A couple of Flag-tailed Spinylegs were on the riverbank, but even they were facing away.

Only saw one Violet Dancer whih remains un-ID'd on iNaturalist (many tend to shy away from IDing damselflies on iNaturalist! even when they are obvious)..

The usual Blackstripe Topminnows were in the area.

In the garden at home this moth was new for my list here.

Juniper Geometer Moth

Today was museum day, but I did go for a walk first thing at Mitchell's Bay.  Somewhat cloudy first thing though.

Those Shiny Bog Flies were still around.  Although secure in Ontario, they are considered imperiled in Canada overall.

August Sightings, 'Lifer' CA, and Another Comet

 Autumn migration is well underway, and local resident birds have been getting quieter.  A recent walk at Reid CA seemed quiet, but this resident Scarlet Tanager made an appearance.

The Dukes' Skippers have done well this year, and there are still a few in good shape.  I did not even try to look for them in recent visits....they just popped up on the path!

And its cousin the Broad-winged Skipper was waiting for me as well.

At one point, I spotted this Clymene Moth, rather unique-looking.

At Peers Wetland I have seen fledged young of several species.  Eastern Kingbirds among them.

A couple of days ago, I wanted to check out Strathroy Conservation Area, a place I had never visited.  A "lifer" CA!

I was quite impressed, and it is a rather large area!  Certainly warrants another visit. Among other trails, one can walk around the Sydenham River there.  I was more interested in insects, but there were a few birds including Red-headed Woodpeckers.

Some of the less-common insects included Blue-tipped.

Violet Dancer is also present.

Bluets included Familiar, the most common species.

There were practically no dragonflies, except a few Common Whitetails.

After checking out this place, I headed over to the lagoons.  It was rather quiet for birds compared to my last visit, but a few shorebirds were working the mud.

Since Shetland was on the way home, I had to stop there once again!  I was bound and determined to find a Dusky Dancer or two.  I spent quite a bit of time there with no luck, but eventually I spotted a suspicious candidate.  It was in a very difficult spot, but it was indeed a Dusky Dancer!

So, at least I saw one!

All the other usual creatures were present.  It is such a good place for diversity.

Flag-tailed Spinyleg (3 of these!)

Black-shouldered Spinyleg

Blue-ringed Dancers

Powdered Dancer

Violet Dancer

Friday, I headed down into Essex County to visit John R. Park Homestead.  The previous day, a Little Blue Heron was found.  It has been a long time since I have seen one, so I thought I would try.  It had been seen at first light, but it flew off, not to be seen again.  Unfortunately I came away empty-handed.

I decided to go into Point Pelee on my way home.  It was terribly quiet for birds, but again my focus was insects.  They too were scarce.

Along west beach trail, I came across an obliging Wandering Glider.

Soon after, a large dragonfly with a red abdomen flew right in front of me.  I looked to my right to see a Comet Darner!  Luckily it perched just off the trail.  This was the first time I have seen one perched.

To see a Comet Darner always makes for a good day.  This was the second one I have seen at Point Pelee--the first one just last summer, but on the fly.

Butterflies were very scarce.  It is concerning, as that has been the trend everywhere this year.  There are many factors, but one thing that bothers me is that there is too much spraying on roadsides and agricultural fields.  Some seem oblivious to the damage that is being done.

Eastern Comma

Other insects included this Bee Fly.  Not sure which particular species yet though.

Today was a lazy day, I checked out Peers Wetland for birds (lots of fledged ones).  It was early in the day, so insects were limited.  Some newly emerged Least Skippers were evident.