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Nature Link

With Blake Mann

FALL MIGRATION & BUTTERFLY COUNTS

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

As the severe drought continues, winter is on the way and the butterfly counts begin. Shorebirds are now showing up on their southbound migration, as well as some other species of birds. I mentioned Red-breasted Nuthatches last week, and some more have been reported in SW Ontario. I awoke Sunday morning to the tune of a Red-breasted Nuthatch in the yard. For whatever reason, this species is on the move! They can now be considered fall migrants and this may be an indication of a large southward movement this summer.

Other birds will now be on the move south after finishing breeding, or failing breeding attempts. Some may be been non-breeders. Shorebirds should be at Blenheim Lagoons this week.

Pinery/Port Franks saw the first butterfly count of the area on Saturday June 23. It was hot and dry, but maybe too hot and dry! It appeared that numbers were rather low, but a diversity of species was seen.

I led a group in the south end of Pinery in some key areas. We ended up with 19 species, compared to 16 last year and 17 the previous year. So I guess we did fairly well with species number, but overall numbers were rather low.

One of our better areas, as usual, was the enclosed meadow in Burley Campground where the Great-spangled Fritillary is always guaranteed. We had a number of species there. As well, one in our party encountered a Smooth Green Snake. I did not see it, otherwise there would be a photo accompanying this column! However, a number of years ago, we also encountered one of these neat snakes on the butterfly count.

Our best area was at the end of the day along the power line corridor near the outdoor theatre. Notables on our list there included both a Northern and Southern Cloudywing (a type of skipper). However, our best find, and likely one of the best on the entire count, was a Dusted Skipper (see attached photo). It is very rare in Ontario and found in very few places. It likes sandy areas and the Pinery is perfect for it. It is similar to the Northern and Southern Cloudywings.

The other attached photo shows a Red-spotted Purple butterfly, common in Pinery. We did not encounter the intergrade this year, where it has some White-Admiral characteristics. The White Admiral is the same species, but is found farther north.
Final numbers were not available at time of this writing.

I managed to travel the length of the Johnston Channel in the boat on Sunday. The phragmites is continuing to increase and is certainly worse than last year. It has been choking out marshy areas, and does make it difficult to see anything beyond the edge of the river.

Bird life was rather sparse. Black Terns were scarce on this trip, and they seem to be decreasing in numbers every year. However, large numbers of Forster's Terns were around.

No notable ducks were seen, but a male Green-winged Teal did fly past near Johnston Bay. An American Coot was seen as usual.

There was no shortage of Marsh Wrens, so they must be doing very well in the abundant habitat there.

On to next week.......