Susan's Birding and Nature Blog: July 2018

Tuesday, 31 July 2018

Short Visit to Hyde Park

July 30, 2018 - Hyde Park Drainage Pond and Trail, London, Ontario

I decided to go back to the Hyde Park pond again. It was later in the morning about 10:30am and getting warm 25c. I didn't stay long.

Sulphur sp.

Common Whitetail

Halloween Pennant

(Below) I would not have seen this as I was looking for butterflies but there was a fuss of birds and a larger bird. I watched the larger bird fly onto a distant large tree. I was far away so I tried to take a closer picture.

It's not a clear photo of this Green Heron.

Green Heron

Other birds I saw were Song Sparrows, Barn Swallows, Bank Swallows, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Robins, Cardinal, Mallards, Field Sparrows, Ring-billed Gull, and Red-winged Blackbirds.

Monarch

Friday, 27 July 2018

Another visit to Hyde Park

Hyde Park Drainage Pond, London, Ontario

A nice morning about 20c, a few clouds and a light breeze. I saw a Monarch right away in the Bergamot flowers.

A little further down a Great Blue Heron was resting.

I walked half way around the pond. I heard, then saw 2 Belted Kingfishers circle around the pond a few times and flew off.

Cabbage White

I saw more Monarchs....about 5-6 like yesterday!

Not a lot of dragonflies around.

Widow Skimmer (male)

Monarch

Red Admiral

The Great Blue Heron flew over into the water to look for lunch.

Birds I saw were Barn Swallows, American Goldfinches, Mallards, Great Blue Heron, Song Sparrows, Robins, Cardinals, Belted Kingfishers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles and Field Sparrows.

Milkweed Pods

Viceroy

Thursday, 26 July 2018

A Jaunt at Hyde Park

Hyde Park Drainage Pond, London, Ontario

I spent some time at the pond this morning. It was quiet bird wise. There were Mallards, some Barn Swallows flying around, a few Song Sparrows and Field Sparrows. Dragonflies were scarce too - saw a bluet damselfly and a Common Whitetail dragonfly.

Cabbage White

Song Sparrow

I was pleased to see 5 Monarchs and a few Cabbage Whites.

Monarch

The next photo is a Snowberry Clearwing. It's a moth that flies like a hummingbird. One can find these in broad daylight sipping on nectar of the Wild Bergamot. Thanks for the correct ID, Blake! This was exciting as this is a new species for me.

Snowberry Clearwing Moth

Saturday, 21 July 2018

Last Week's Findings

Last week - July 17 and 19 - I went to the Sifton Bog and Springbank Park area. It was nice, warm not humid, 23c. Not many birds at the bog....Robins, Grackles and some singing White-throated Sparrows. I also saw some Green Frogs.

Blue Dasher

Bluet sp.

Does anybody know the ID for this dragonfly?

Wandering Glider?

Grass Pink Orchid

The flowers below are at the river and the Civic Gardens area.

Wild Blue Phlox

I saw the Ground Hog at a near by golf course.

Ground Hog

Monday, 16 July 2018

More Dragonflies and Butterflies

Hyde Park Drainage Pond, London, Ontario

I just went for a brief walk this morning as the sun was so hot (30c, feels like 41). I concentrated on dragonflies and also butterflies that I can find.