cktimes.ca Archives for Nature Link
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Nature sightings
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Not too much has been happening lately in the area. Summer is starting to wane with a few migrant birds heading south. Swallows are collecting in huge numbers on the hydro lines, and prairie wildflowers are abundant.Blenheim Lagoons have been productive for shorebirds, with many species present on any given day. On July 31, I noted three American Avocets, a western species. These are uncommon in Ontario, but are quite regular every year. They are the most striking of shorebirds in my opinion because of their large size, plumage and long, thin upcurved bills. Several species of ducks have been present, including Redhead and Lesser Scaup.
On August 1 at Rondeau Park, I noted an early Tennessee Warbler, as well as a Blue-winged Warbler. It is possible that the Blue-winged was a local resident. Also flying over was a Common Loon. On south point trail, I noted a mink scurrying across the trail, not too common on that side of the park.
On August 7 was the Point Pelee butterfly count, organized by Sarah Rupert. I helped out in the park, and we came up with 22 species in our area at the north end of the park. We had 10 American Snout, an excellent number. (They feed on hackberry tree, which is very abundant in Pelee). We also had an Eastern Comma and a Question Mark (similar species) in the same spot, something unusual. During the day, we also spotted a mink running across the road. An unusual insect, an ichnuemon wasp, caught our attention in mid-afternoon. These large woodland insects, with their extremely long ovipositor are not seen too often. I saw one just outside of Wallaceburg a few years ago, my only other sighting of this unique creature.
St. Clair National Wildlife Area will be a good place to watch for Heron-type birds in the next couple of months. Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons and Tricolored Herons, wanderers from the south, are possible this time of year. Carefully check those white egrets, as a Snowy could be mixed in, or an immature Little Blue. Least Bitterns seem to be quite visible this time of year as they fly low over the cattails. I've noted quite a few this summer, especially around Walpole Island.
The development of the Roberta Stewart Wetland beside MacDonald Park in northwest C-K is coming along nicely. It will be a nice habitat for marsh wildlife when established. I look forward to seeing how quickly wildlife appears.
