Sunday, July 5, 2015

Obligatory Skunks Misery Trip & Milbert's Tortoiseshell

A Skunks Misery trip was long overdue so last week, I ventured out in that direction. I missed out on visuals for  my target species which were Cerulean Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher. But still, some good birds were found. One highlight for example was hearing a Veery singing and a Yellow bellied Sapsucker drumming. What's cool about that YBSS sighting is that Newbury might be the southern limit / suitable habitat of its breeding range in Ontario.


Some birds seen include:
Chestnut sided Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Veery
Wood Thrush
Scarlet Tanager
Yellow bellied Sapsucker (drumming)
Indigo Bunting
Baltimore Oriole
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Wood Peewee
Buteo Hawk (perhaps broad winged?)

Groundhog in Newbury Ontario
I typically drive a little towards Strathroy to look for Grassland birds but in my short time there, I did find a butterfly that I have wanted to see for years - a Milberts Tortoiseshell! I wanted to photograph this butterfly a little better than what I have but it was very shy. I only had it in view for 10 seconds then it was gone!
Milbert's Tortoiseshell in Strathroy Ontario
Shinleaf 

Back at Ojibway Park, I noticed a few nice birds as of late:
A pair of Yellow billed Cuckoos st Ojibway's Springarden area, Willow Flycatcher, Belted Kingfisher and Green Heron Fledglings at Ojibway's Malden Park.




Leconte's Haploa
I'm on the hunt for Eastern Fringed Prairie Orchid --- I've had several unsuccessful efforts to see it but I will keep searching! I've found other interesting plants though - I've seen several patches of Colicroot (a threatened species link1 link2)- a nice botanical discovery at Ojibway. I also found a tiny flower called Enchanter's Nightshade. Thanks to one of my blog readers - Irene- for the botany guide!!!

Good Birding!
Dwayne




3 comments:

  1. Hello Dwayne--Yes--Ojibway is a remarkable place to study plants / wildflowers. I spent many hours there--
    quite a few years back ! After reading the above Blog--
    I immediately grabbed my Peterson Field Guide where
    I have "ticked off" lots of flowers. I couldn't find the
    Eastern fringed Prairie Orchid ? What is it's Latin name ? Apparently I didn't find that one either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Irene, the scientific name of the orchid is Platanthera leucophaea.

      Delete
  2. Congrats on the Milbert's. Too bad about not finding the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid.....there are a few places where it is found in the Windsor/Essex Co area, but not many, and by now, they are likely just about finished flowering.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...