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.

More Summer Stuff!

 I made my usual rounds not far from home the last few days.  The summer is waning quickly so I take advantage of any time I get to be outdoors looking for things of interest.

Dukes' Skippers have finally showed up in the "usual" spot at Reid.  I saw two in quick order late Thursday.

Friday I had the urge to go to Point Pelee.  I thought maybe I could look for Marine Blue or something of note.  (I have not heard of any sightings of Marine Blue after mine last Sunday.  I know some went to look though).

I did a watch at the Tip for a while before looking for insects.  The "Tip" goes way out right now!

There were hundreds of gulls, but nothing of note caught my eye.  Only one tern...a Caspian.

Some shorebirds included Sanderlings, Semisands, and an early Ruddy Turnstone.

I then slowly walked up west beach trail.  I stopped to read a nice sign recently erected.

There were more butterflies and dragonflies than I had been seeing in previous visits.  Wandering Glider was the most common.  Most were "wandering"!

Around the "serengeti" tree, a large darner caught my eye. It was a Comet Darner!  I was not able to get a photo though.  There have been a few previous records in the past at Pelee and surrounding area, but this was my first for there.

I stopped briefly at De Laurier parking lot, and found a Common Buckeye at the weather station.  A first-of-year!

My next stop was Hillman Marsh shorebird cell, where I thought it was the best chance of seeing some good butterfly.  It was paltry for leps!  I did see another Buckeye, and added a Common Sootywing.

I went home via Blenheim, and stopped by the lagoons.  A good number of shorebirds were in.  Solitary Sandpipers are in big numbers this summer everywhere it seems.

Another member of the glider family was present....a Spot-winged Glider....on the fly.

Saturday, it was up to north Lambton, as Forest Lagoons is a necessary stop at least once a week this time of year. It is the best place for shorebirds!  There were lots to sort through, including over 100 Lesser Yellowlegs. Again, lots of Solitary Sandpipers.  Nothing of note though.

I moved on to Ausable River Cut CA, but as I arrived, word got out that three American Avocets were at Kettle Point.  Since I had not seen any yet this year,and it was not far, back I went!  Jeff Skevington and James Holdsworth were still there when I arrived, and so were the Avocets.  My favourite shorebird!

A worse-for-the-wear Little Gull was also present.

I went back to Ausable River Cut and looked at mussels.  I added Fat Mucket to my list.

Three-ridged mussel seems to be the most common there.

Not much in the way of insects, but some Wild Indigo Duskywings were flying.

Along the way home, I stopped by Marthaville Habitat Management Area, for my once-a year visit.  Good wetland there.

Slaty Skimmer

Viceroy

One last stop was McKeough CA for an attempt at Marine Blue.  Virtually no butterflies!  Only Flag-tailed Spinylegs.

Today, it was a bit overcast after some much-needed rain overnight.  I stopped by Keith McLean C. L. where I spent some time there.  Shorebirds were quite fluid, as they often are.  There was not much at first, but things came in or flew over.

Quite a few dowitchers were eventually seen, including three rather early Long-billed.  Given the lighting, and distance, etc., my photos were no good for them.

I then went as far as Clear Creek and stopped by the old quarry.  One of my favourite spots!

I immediately saw a Comet Darner, but it seemed to take off.  Another eventually appeared, but as usual it was on the fly.

The sun was partially out when I arrived and there was some activity, but then it clouded over making things very quiet.  Very few damsels (bluets and dancers) now.

Azure Bluet

Violet Dancer

Last stop was Blenheim lagoons.  Lots of shorebirds again, but nothing spectacular.

 

Some Recent Outings

Last Saturday I went down to Point Pelee.  Although the wind was all wrong, there was quite a bit of activity at the Tip.  Lots of gulls were around.

Baby Bonie

Some shorebirds were present along the shoreline.

I walked up west beach trail, but butterflies were once again scarce.  Likely things will get better in September when the asters come out.  Those big days a few years ago seem to be a thing of the past.

Dun Skipper

Dragonflies were few and far between.  Wandering Gliders seem to be plentiful lately (I even had them up in Bruce County last week).

Some birds were along the trail including Mourning Warbler, Canada Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler.

I did walk De Laurier and there were a few migrant birds including a few warblers.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

I stopped by Hillman to walk around the shorebird cell.  Unfortunately, probably the day before, they did some excessive cutting.  There was hardly a butterfly to be seen.  At the end, I did come across a Fiery Skipper, the second in less than 24h.

I also saw my FOY Common Buckeye...finally.

Sunday was not too productive, but I did go to Keith McLean CA just outside Rondeau.  It is a very productive place for birds and I thought at the time something of note will show up soon.  Perhaps a heron type?  Or shorebird?

This past week was very quiet around Wallaceburg, so last evening I went down to Keith McLean CA.  Once again there was quite a bit to see.  Some Great Egrets were present and I was strongly hoping to see a Snowy Egret or Little Blue Heron come upon the scene.
Shorebirds included a Red Knot (been there a while, but elusive), a couple of Baird's Sandpipers, Stilt Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, etc.  A scope is mandatory though.

Baird's Sandpiper

There is a little alcove in the wetland not seen unless you walk a little farther.  I kept seeing shorebirds come and go from there (that is where the knot landed at one point).

Just as I was starting to leave, all the shorebirds got up and headed far to the north.

Short-billed Dowitchers

Today, I planned to leave work early and head somewhere.  However, I was not expecting to go back to Keith McLean CA!  This morning Steve Charbonneau reported a Snowy Egret there wouldn't you know it.
After lunch, I headed straight to the CA.  Upon arrival, the Snowy Egret was visible in the distance.
I did not have a good camera on hand, so I tried digiscoping.

I ended up staying almost 2.5h, and a couple of people came along.  Included was Allen Woodliffe.
The Snowy Egret eventually flew and landed a little closer for us, to join a Great Egret.

There were not as many shorebirds as the previous day, but the Red Knot was hidden in that alcove.  Allen walked further to see it in the alcove.

There is always a lot of activity at Keith McLean CA.  The wetlands attract rails, bitterns, and other marsh birds.

Secretive Marsh Wren

It is also in a very strategic location where birds move along the lakeshore.  Birds are always flying overhead or coming or going.
This place will indeed be checked more regularly from now on!

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (beside the viewing stand)

Of course news of the week (and year) was the Reddish Egret up at Oliphant in Bruce County.  Apparently it has been present since at least August 5!  I was right by there last Wednesday!  #@$%!


A Katydid showed up outside my back window this past week.....