Grassland Birding and More

 Today, I was into Middlesex County and east Lambton.  There are some nice pastures and grasslands just into Middlesex and around the Lambton County border.  I make at least one trip there each year at this time.

Upland Sandpipers are difficult to come by in some areas of the province anymore, but can be found with ease in the aforementioned area.  They like standing on posts.

I even saw one in the distance atop a tall dead tree in the hazy morning sun.

I came across a couple of Dickcissels as well in different locations.  Never got a photo though.  As mentioned before, they seem regular each year anymore.

Bobolinks and meadowlarks abound as well.  There was even a Western Meadowlark in the area last February!  Another is not too far off this spring.

Grasshopper Sparrows are present too, but I have found them scarce this year.

I needed to be up in that area in any case, as I organized an odonate survey at the Sydenham River Nature Reserve (SRNR) at the urging of the folks at Ontario Nature.

The SRNR is a gem that contains many significant species in a unique landscape.  The current 193 acre property was purchased in 2016 preserving imperiled habitats and species with a 2 km stretch of the Sydenham River.  Some farm fields have now been reverted back to nature.

There is some stunning scenery with very deep gullies.

This year, there are plans to raise funds to expand the SRNR by 100 acres off the end of Buttonwood Drive.  It is an incredible opportunity that must succeed.  Here is a link to  some information:

https://ontarionature.org/give/macsorley/

Also, there was a webinar this past Tuesday on the SRNR and the campaign to raise funds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeysdKpnVeU

Today, a party of five, including myself did the first extensive odonate survey on the property.  There are some uncommon species and we did get one target species.  Unfortunately it was overcast most of the day, even though the forecast called for sun ALL week (what is new?).  That kept some odes at bay, but we did fairly well.  More on that in the next post once I get totals finalized!

Rusty Snaketail

It is also an incredible place to find mussels.  I found this shell which is a Purple Wartyback.  It is one of the "vulnerable" ones.

Stay tuned....!

Sarnia Grassland Birds and More Hairstreaks

On Tuesday, an outing was scheduled to tour the Sarnia solar farm, something I could not pass up.  It was not to look at solar panels, but to look at bird life!  There are extensive grasslands that have attracted many species of birds--some of which are rare for our area.

Larry Cornelis led the field trip through the blocks of solar panels and open areas.  Larry has a contract to survey for birds on the Enbridge-owned site.  The people at Enbridge were more than happy to have people come in and see what was going on with regards to the natural features within the property.  Besides the grassland, there is a woodlot, a couple of ponds and prairie plantings.
The Sarnia solar farm was once the largest in North America.  On an average day it can power the city of Sarnia (excluding Chemical Valley).

With several hundred acres of grassland type habitat, many birds are attracted to the area. Last week during a survey, Larry found Clay-colored Sparrows in two separate locations, Dickcissels along the old landfill, and a healthy number of Grasshopper Sparrows among countless Savannah Sparrows and others.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Clay

We took more than three hours touring the sites on both sides of Blackwell Road.   Our first stop found one or two Clay-colored Sparrows.  There are small spruce trees in the one area which this species likes.  I attempted a digiscope photo, but it was just too windy to hold camera still!
Grasshopper Sparrows were all around.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Our next stop was along the border of the old Blackwell Landfill.  Here, Larry found 3 Dickcissels last week.  Upon our arrival we could hear a male singing, but it remained unseen.  I soon found it perched atop thistle.  In fact I think there were up to three birds there.  It soon came closer for good views perched in a dead ash tree.  I attempted a digiscope photo.  (I only had my Canon G16 on hand).

It was a lifer for some (as was the Clay), so all were happy.

Garter Snake with full crop

We went over to the west side of the road and found another spot where Clay-colored was likely nesting.
With so little grassland left in the area, this site is very important.  It would likely be farmland if not for the solar farm.

Today, I see a report of at least 4 Dickcissels by J.B. at the old landfill.  Not surprising, as there is suitable habitat and it was only a few years ago that several nested there.

Today after work I stopped at Reid CA.  It is certainly a good year for hairstreaks (it appears they like dry weather!), as they were all over the place.  In short order I found 5 Southern (Northern Oak) Hairstreaks (one being very dead!).

Shy Oak Hairstreak

There were numerous Banded, several Edwards' and one Hickory.  There are lots of Hickory trees at Reid, but Hickory is in fact difficult to find there.

Edwards' Hairstreak

Banded Hairstreak

No sign of any Dukes' Skippers yet, but perhaps the dry year has some bearing.

Dow Wetlands Visit

After work today I decided to head up to Dow Wetlands, Sarnia near the corner of LaSalle Line and Highway 40.  There is extensive grassland habitat and constructed wetlands to attract wildlife.
I first went to the grassland area and found Eastern Meadowlarks, Savannah Sparrows, etc.

To the SW of Doug's Pond, some Upland Sandpipers were moving around.  There are quite a few of these uncommon shorebirds in the area as there is ample habitat.  I saw three today.

Yes, it is an Upland Sandpiper!

This area used to harbour Northern Bobwhite as well.  There was one left three years ago, but I assume they may be all gone now.  There was always bobwhite here and I recall while working in the area in 2003, hearing several.
Coincidentally, I went over to Walpole Island briefly early this morning.  Unfortunately, I did not hear any bobwhite, but I was not there long.  Even sitting in the car I was attacked by mosquitoes!

This evening at Dow there were also Northern and Orchard Orioles, Least and Willow Flycatchers and other common birds.
Several swallow species were here, including Cliff.  I assume they nest under the hwy 40 bridge nearby.

Dozens of Ctenucha moths were flying around today.

On the way there, I headed up along the St. Clair River, as I had to get fuel in Corunna.  At Courtright, I caught sight of  a duck near the gravel dock. Looked like a Canvasback!  However, I was not going to turn around, but on the way back I went by there to confirm.  Sure enough, a male Canvasback was swimming there.  Last week, one was reported by J.B. nearby.  Not sure what it is doing there but may have an injured wing.

Canvasback can occasionally be seen in the St. Clair flats (Walpole-Harson's Island areas) in the breeding season.  Redhead is quite regular.  Redhead, among other waterbirds, were listed by Michigan birders doing a survey this week in the southern Walpole area.  Notably, they found two Trumpeter Swans!  Pretty good for out area, but they are increasing on the Great Lakes.  There is a photo of the pair on their eBird list.  Everything can be expected at this time.
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23924334

Upland Birding and Mosa Mosquitoes

It was time to check out some areas inland today, so I went to some familiar spots in Middlesex County.  Firstly, I went to Skunk's Misery, or sometimes called Mosa Forest.  This is a complex of Crown Lands consisting of dense forest mainly SW of Newbury.

Due to the habitat, there is a good variety of birds, many of which are uncommon in SW Ontario.  Hooded Warblers are plentiful, and the route I took (driving only) revealed at least ten singing males in less than an hour. Most remained unseen, but their familiar song was noticeable.
Blue-winged Warblers are found within, and Cerulean Warbler is likely around.  I could not find a Cerulean today, but I certainly hope there are a couple around.
Chestnut-sided Warblers are common and many woodland birds such as Ovenbird, Pine Warbler, Veery, Yellow-throated Vireo are numerous.
Acadian Flycatcher breeds here, but I only came across one at the Crown Land on the corner of Argyll and Watterworth Roads later on.

Needless to say, mosquitoes were plentiful, so that kept me from walking into any of the trails.  With all the rain this week, there was ample water in the woods!

I wanted to check for grassland birds up towards Strathroy as well.  First stop was Napier Road where Clay-colored Sparrow sets up shop annually among some conifer trees.  I managed to hear one singing.  Grasshopper Sparrows are in the pasture up the road from that spot and they did not disappoint.  Lots of Savannahs.

I checked pastures along McArthur Road and  Calvert Road, but saw no Upland Sandpiper.  Lots of Bobolinks and meadowlarks.  The one pasture at Calvert and Kerwood Road had Dickcissels a couple of years ago.  Perhaps some will arrive yet.

Bobolink

I always check Clark Wright CA near Strathroy where White-eyed Vireos nest, or at least reside annually.  Although they had been seen earlier in the week, I could not find them.  This CA is good for butterflies as well.  I saw FOY Viceroy, Common Ringlet, and Red-spotted Purple among others.

Viceroy

Hobomok Skippers with bee

I drove back along Walker's Line where there are some good pastures, then down McArthur.  Just before Inadale Road, I finally came across and Upland Sandpiper.  It was in its usual pose.

I headed back to Skunk's Misery in hopes of seeing butterflies and dragonflies.  I first stopped at Argyll and Watterworth Roads, a favourite spot.  There is a piece of Crown Land there that holds Acadian Flycatcher, Hooded Warbler, Pine Warbler, etc.

A few butterflies were out, but not many in the main Skunk's area.  I did see one Milbert's Tortoiseshell, which I think is one of the prettiest butterflies.

Common Ringlet

Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Various dragonflies were out including this clubtail.  I believe it is Midland.

I some mosaic darners (one species) but not sure what they would be at this time. That is when a net comes in handy!

Next stop was one of my go-to spots, Wardsville Woods.  It is good for butterflies most of the time.  Here I added Long Dash and Juvenal's Duskywing for the day.

A Blue-winged Warbler is here once again this year.

I also heard and saw a singing Alder Flycatcher.

Some ground work is going on at Wardsville Woods, probably for prairie plantings, so much vegetation was destroyed, hence fewer insects.

Peck's Skipper

It was a pretty good day, but I thought a lot of birds were just not there like they used to be.  I did not come across a Mourning Warbler for example, and some woodland birds seemed scarce.