June is Gone!

 Probably my favourite month of the year is now done! Time flies by quickly, so we have to make the best of it.

I have been checking out my local haunts, and insects continue to be rather scarce.  I have not found another Oak Hairstreak at Reid C. L. despite some effort.  Looks like this will be the third year in a row that I have been the only person to find a single one.

Some things, though, are fairly plentiful like Silver-spotted Skippers and Peck's Skippers.

On Saturday, a number of naturalists conducted a bioblitz at the newest conservation lands, namely Bradshaw.  Different habitats are within and some interesting finds were made.  Booth Creek skirts the property and this was where the first Mocha Emerald was found in Canada.  It was a bit early for mochas, so none were tallied.

The creek was running a bit high.

We were left to wander the property on our own to see what we could find.  Some individuals concentrated on certain things.  We were pleased to have Pat Deacon (an expert on plants) inventory those.  So that portion was covered well.

I concentrated on insects.  Here are some of my finds.

Eastern Forktail

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Common Whitetail

Ebony Jewelwing

Spring Dead-leaf Roller Moth

Short-lined Chocolate

Peck's Skipper

probable Blue-tipped Dancer

I netted a butterfly at one point, and inadvertantly caught this tiny katydid at the same time.

There were some unknowns.

complex Laphris canis

a member of feather-legged flies

And others.

Yesterday I stayed quite local and at one point visited Reid C. L.  I did see three hairstreaks, but all were Banded.  Sure is a far cry from what used to be there.  It was a hairstreak haven of several species!

Even Common Wood Nymphs are not so common anymore.

Blue-fronted Dancers, the most abundant dancer anywhere, were just starting to show up.

Spreadwings included Emerald.

In the afternoon, I checked out my garden, where things are just coming into bloom. Some of these insects are very tiny and difficult to photograph.

Red-banded Leaf Hopper

Margined Calligrapher

And some a little larger.

European Paper Wasp

Margined Leather-winged Beetle

One or two Stream Bluets have been hanging out.  (The Sydenham River is just across the road, so probably came from there).

Today I needed to go a bit farther afield.  Killing some time, I first went to Keith McLean C. L.  Nothing of note, but a Red-headed Woodpecker was nice to see.  Seems to be quite a few around this year.

Afterwards, I went to Clear Creek to check out the old quarry.  First time I had been there this year.  I was pleased to find quite a few dragonflies.

From the get-go, I noticed quite a few Westfall's Slender Bluets. These are uncommon in Ontario, but can be locally common.  Clear Creek is one of those, and today it was the most common bluet there.

A diagnostic characteristic is the T-shaped notch in segment eight.

It is interesting on iNaturalist where these rarer odes are not immediately identified.  People seem hesitant or afraid to confirm these! (as was with the case of the Cobra Clubtail).

Some firsts for the year included Azure Bluet and Violet Dancer.

Lots of Calico Pennants were flying.

I thought it was a bit early for Comet Darner, but lo and behold I did see one!  Unfortunately, I could not obtain a photo despite a valiant effort.

My first Delaware Skipper of the year was seen at one point.

Later, I walked the Bury Cemetery trail across the highway.  This a neat little trail I like to check out this time of year.

Several Northern Pearly-eyes were flying.

At one point I noticed a Lecontes Haploa moth in the shadows.

And that was it for the day since it was getting to be a scorcher.

Tomorrow is supposed to be even a bit hotter, so I do not know how we will make out at the museum.  The Wallaceburg Museum always puts on a big deal each Canada Day with vendors, music, barbeque, and games for the kids.

A "Few" More Insects (Plus a Shorebird)

 This past Thursday I ventured into Elgin County for a change in scenery.  I went as far as John E. Pearce Provincial Park where I walked around the Storey Wetland.  It has been good for insects in the past, including Comet Darner which I had discovered some years ago.

I should have known, as there were not many dragonflies, par for the course this year.  There was nothing worth photographing!

This Great Spangled Fritillary posed nicely though.

One of the tiny insects, called a sedgesitter, was tempting to photograph.  They usually face downwards.  A difficult one to identify to species.

It was going to be another hot day, so I headed back west and stopped by the old quarry at Clear Creek.  It was much better for odonates than my previous visits this year, but certainly a far cry from what it usually is.

Alas, I saw a Comet Darner!  This is another location I discovered quite a few years ago, so it was somewhat expected.  These rarely perch, so on-the-fly photographs were attempted.

There were very few bluets, but some "Westfall's" Slender Bluets were flying.  I managed to get decent enough photos to ID them.

A couple of Violet Dancers were nearby as well.

While there, a pair of Common Ravens flew overhead.  They have been known to nest in the area.

Friday, I took a long walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  It was quite disappointing for insects yet again (except mosquitoes!), but I did come across my first Dukes' Skipper of the year.

A couple of Banded Hairstreaks were along the trail.  I am now up to five individual hairstreaks for the year......lol!

This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail posed for a bit.

As did a Red-spotted Purple that was a little worse for the wear.

Since shorebirds are returning now, I decided to check out Blenheim lagoons first thing Saturday morning.  Turns out I came across my favourite shorebird, an American Avocet!

There were lots of Least Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs and a number of Short-billed Dowitchers around as well.

I was going to be a very hot day, so I decided to head back home after this visit!

Sunday was the annual Skunk's Misery butterfly count.  I did my usual route along Centreville Drive in the morning.  It was extremely disappointing as there were very few butterflies.  But, that has been the way it is this year for whatever reason(s).

View along Centreville Drive

I saw only one single hairstreak, if that tells you anything.

Banded Hairstreak

However, the highlight was a Dukes' Skipper in a known spot along the road.  I spent some time at this spot hoping to see one, and it paid off.

I discovered the species here for the first Middlesex records in the past.

Woodland butterflies were scarce, including the Northern Pearly-Eye.

Most common skipper was Dun.

Dun on Buttonbush

Lunch was held in a different spot this year, at Big Bend Conservation Area.  I had never been there before, so it was all new to me.  A neat spot I should check out again.

View from the boat launch at Big Bend

In the afternoon I toured around aimlessly, hardly seeing anything (what's new?).  I was so disappointed I went home early and skipped the gathering at the end of the day.  It was too hot anyway!

Blue-tipped Dancers at the boat launch on Mosside Line