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Nature Link

With Blake Mann

Late summer observations

Tuesday, September 6, 2005

Nothing too exciting has been happening in the nature world in this area. Migrating birds have been moving through in numbers on the recent clear and cool nights. Monarch butterflies are heading south. In fact, there seems to be an excellent number this year. Many have been seen in the last two weeks.

Last column I mentioned the possibility of hurricane birds turning up on the Great Lakes. Hurricane Katrina veered to the east before it hit the Great Lakes region, thus bringing little influence. Virtually no seabirds were reported, except a possible Sooty Tern at Long Point on August 31. There were no sightings on the Great Lakes that could be attributed to the hurricane.

The usual seabird types have been reported such as jaeger species, as well as an early Sabine's Gulls at the west end of Lake Ontario.

Raptors are now moving in numbers at the various hawkwatches. On the afternoon of September 1 there was an uncommon sighting for Wallaceburg. I observed an Osprey heading south over the house. This was only my second sighting here since 1988.

The holiday weekend gas prices put a damper on much driving. No loss, as the weather was too nice for many migrant birds to linger. A boat ride on the Snye on Sunday morning was nice. Quite a number of Belted Kingfishers were around.

An American Avocet was reported at Blenheim Lagoons on Saturday evening, but had left by early Sunday morning. A Red-necked Phalarope was still swimming in the lagoons on the weekend.

The stable fly situation was bad on the weekend along the lakeshore. When the preceding days see north winds, the flies are pushed from inland to the lakeside. They do bite and are very annoying. Point Pelee is well known for bad fly days. They will attach to your body and clothing just like a carpet. Since insect repellent has no effect, the only solution is simply to leave!

The SFN prairie on Highway 40 is coming along nicely. The attached photo shows Culver's Root earlier this summer.

This coming weekend is the annual Ontario Field Ornithologists convention at Point Pelee. It is a bit earlier than usual, but it should be good for birdwatching as long as the weather hold out. I will report on the highlights of that event.