Rondeau/Blenheim/Wilkesport Sightings

I headed down to Rondeau Park early this morning in fine weather. It was pleasant with a northerly breeze.
Yellow Warblers were in bunches, soon to depart in a southerly direction.

After a walk on south point trail, I went over to Marsh trail and walked to the half way point.  I was hoping to see more butterflies along the way, but par for the course this year, there were very few. It was certainly good exercise!

Over at Blenheim Lagoons, things were more interesting with lots of shorebirds present.  However, they were very skittish and one could not get very close to them.

I did see a Stilt Sandpiper (FOY) and the continuing Short-billed Dowitcher.  Lesser Yellowlegs were numerous as were Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers.

Some Semipalmated Plover were present, including this nice looking one in the sprinkler cells.

The summering male Ring-necked Duck was still swimming around, along with several Pied-billed Grebes.

A few Common Buckeye were fluttering around in the stiff breeze.

After getting home, I headed up to McKeough CA knowing the Flag-tailed Spinylegs would be out.  Several were easily found along the riverbank.

Many Eastern Amberwings were along the bank as well.

One last stop was to check out the prairie planting at Nicholl's Memorial Forest, Wilkesport.  In the wooded area, I spotted a large darner which turned out to be a Fawn Darner.  I could not get in a good position to photograph it, but it is one that I rarely see.

The prairie area is coming along nicely and has a fair number of Spiked Blazing Star, among other plants.  They were gently swaying in the breeze today.

There is lots of Virginia Mountain Mint, Ironweed and several other species.

Essex and Elgin and Middlesex Too

Saturday I decided to head down to Wheatley and Point Pelee.  Dickcissels were seen or heard in the usual locations along the way.


There was not much of note in Point Pelee, but the light rain at the Tip did not help matters.  I was hoping to spend some time looking for butterflies, but the usual weekend weather put a damper on things.  American Snouts seem to be plentiful this year, but none stopped for any length of time.





Azure was the most common butterfly.  They were everywhere by the hundreds and in bunches.

De Laurier Trail seemed to have the most where one could find clusters of them mainly on bird droppings.

On the way back, I stopped by Hillman marsh and walked around the shorebird cell.  By this time, the sun had come out (temporarily). Of note, I checked out the spot where I find Broad-winged Skippers.  I found about ten, but not a single one stopped flying!
This is in an area of phragmites.  Broad-winged Skippers do use this invasive plant as a host, so I guess there is one use for it.

Around the shorebird cell I found a few Common Checkered-Skippers (FOY).

Since it is shorebird time, I headed east to Blenheim to check out the lagoons.  A number of shorebirds were in plus some ducks.

Included were many Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, a Baird's, at least 5 Solitary Sandpipers, a few Lesser Yellowlegs, one Greater Yellowlegs, a few Pectoral Sandpipers, and a single Short-billed Dowitcher.  They were very skittish so I could not get anywhere near them.

Ducks included a summering Ring-necked.

I had hoped to see checkered-skippers while there, but none showed.  The excessive cutting along the ponds did not help matters.

Sunday I had the urge to go into Elgin County.  I usually check out some spots around the end of July each year.  First stop was Port Stanley lagoons.  Like many places, water was high and little edge for shorebirds was available.  The only migrant shorebird was a single Least Sandpiper!
Lots of ducks were present though, including dozens of Wood Ducks.  A single male Ring-necked Duck in eclipse was notable.

Next stop was Fingal WMA where I checked out the Ian Carmichael Pond and prairie area. The prairie area is not as nice as it used to be, but is still good.  Lots of burgemot, Gray-headed Coneflower, Virginia Mountain Mint and grasses.

Some butterflies included Dun Skipper, Northern Broken-Dash and Common Sootywing.

Dun Skipper

Common Sootywing

Southwold Earthworks, south of Iona, was very disappointing for birds and butterflies.  A few years ago, I had many species there including Meadow Fritillary and Gray Hairstreak. I did see a Common Sootywing and a Tawny-edged Skipper there today.

Down at John E. Pearce Provincial Park, I walked the Lorne Spicer Trail. Here I found some Little Glassywings.

On the way home I stopped by Wardsville Woods.  Although butterflies were few and far between (a theme this year!), I did find a couple of Wild Indigo Duskywings just before I left.

Some prairie-type plants have been planted at Wardsville Woods and are doing well with all the rain.

One demonstration area has a variety of plants with signage.

Virginia Mountain Mint

Afternoon Delight on Walpole Island

The Sydenham Field Naturalists (SFN) had a scheduled outing to Walpole Island on the afternoon of July 11.  Any time there is a guided hike to this natural treasure, you do not want to miss it!
Yesterday's outing was to the Prairie Dock Prairie at the north end of Walpole Island, and guided by Clint Jacobs.  We  have had Clint guide us before, and he is very passionate about nature and his heritage and culture.
The field trip was advertised as a butterfly walk, but in reality we looked at anything along the way, especially the uncommon plants.

Oak Savannah

Among other things, Walpole Island is host to a wide variety vascular plants, and in fact, over 800. Many of these are uncommon, rare or very rare.  Some of these are so rare that they are not known to exist anywhere else in Canada.  A few of these include Showy Goldenrod, White Prairie Gentian, Pink Milkwort and Lace Grass.

The SFN has been to Walpole many times and I recall one site we went to hosted the Pink Milkwort. I have photos somewhere of that outing, but seem to have misplaced them!

A large group of nature lovers assembled at the Heritage Centre on Highbanks.  From there we headed a short distance down Chief's Road to the 'sand  pits' area.  A few of us looked at a Black Gum tree across the road before heading onto the trail.
As I was waiting, this Four-spotted Skimmer was perched at the entrance.  (It was still present when we returned!).

The trail starts by going through prime oak savannah.  Larry Cornelis, our in-house plant expert, pointed out several plants along the way including Wild Indigo, Stiff Goldenrod, etc.

Wild Indigo

Along with us were some individuals looking at leps and odes for Clint Jacobs.  Not far into the trail, they were just ahead of me looking at a hairstreak.  Naturally curious, I had to take a look as they were mulling it over and did not know the species.
At first glance I instantly recognized a Southern Hairstreak!  Anyone that reads my blog on a regular basis knows how rare this species is, and my association with it.  I was astounded that we found this!

The Southern Hairstreak, formerly and more appropriately known as the Northern Oak, is an early hairstreak and usually done by this date.  As you can see by the photo, it was very worn. Back in the banner year of 2008 for hairstreaks, my last date for Southern Hairstreak at Reid CA is July 10.
Needless to say, a first record for Walpole Island it is. I was glad that so many people got to see this rare hairstreak!

Moving through the savanna, we entered the prairie site.  It is appropriately called Prairie Dock Prairie due to the abundant Prairie Dock plants.  These large-leaved plants were not yet in bloom on our visit.

We passed by many unique plants, and the site of the White Prairie Gentian.




There was not a big variety of butterflies along the way, but we did see a couple of Baltimore Checkerspots (a lifer for Larry!), a couple of Eyed Brown, Great-spangled Fritillary, Banded Hairstreak, Silver-spotted Skipper.
At one point in a sedge-like area, I saw a skipper that was likely a Broad-winged.

The Baltimore

There were no noteworthy birds encountered during the outing.  There was a time (more than ten years ago) we would have heard the constant whistle of the Northern Bobwhite at this location.  It has been about ten years since I have heard one at this north part of the island.

It is always a treat to get a tour on any part of Walpole Island.
It harbours some of the most significant tall grass prairie and oak savannah that you will ever see in Canada!