Some mid-June findings

 Week of June 20, 2022

I was out this week looking for butterflies and dragonflies at the usual spots I go every year.  I'm finding they are not plentiful right now.  Maybe next week will be better.   I will try some different areas.  

Eastern Forktail

Red Admiral

European Skipper

Common Whitetail

Cabbage White

Blue Dasher

Some nice birds through the week.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Spotted Sandpiper

Willow Flycatcher

I got an Upland Sandpiper.  First for my Middlesex County List.

Recent June Outings

Week of June 13-18, 2022

I enjoyed watching this Osprey circling around above me.  Beautiful birds.  They have a nest nearby...top of a tower.  I'm seeing the usual birds and trying to find butterflies and dragonflies.  They are very scarce right now.  One has to look very hard for them. 

Spotted Sandpiper

A pair of Red-winged Blackbirds.  

Common Grackle

Found this Turkey Vulture resting in a tree. 

Turkey Vulture

Here is one butterfly I saw...Hackberry Emperor.  This is a lifer for me.

Hackberry Emperor

Grassland to Marshland

I went to the London Airport to see what was around (June 11, 2022).  I really like Meadowlarks and different sparrows.  I know I can always find them there.  They like open fields with long grasses and weeds which is a perfect habitat for these birds.  As you can see they also like fences and wires.  

Eastern Meadowlark

Savannah Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow

At another park, I found a couple of Great Blue Herons.  I love Great Blue Herons so I always have photos of them to share.  The birds are really busy nesting and feeding their young right now.

Cedar Waxwings

Ruby throated Hummingbird

The Swamp Sparrow was in the reeds with a lot of Red-winged Blackbirds.  This bird was bouncing around the reeds with food then it dropped down out of sight to probably a nest and young.

Swamp Sparrow

Black-necked Stilt - Lifer

 June 6, 2022 - Komoka

I went for a walk on a few trails to try to find an Indigo Bunting.  I have not seen one yet this year.  I did find two and I also saw the Eastern Bluebirds which was a real treat.  I don't see them too often.

Eastern Bluebird

Indigo Bunting

I also saw an Eastern Towhee, Catbirds, and Field Sparrows.  A few butterflies were around...Monarchs, Cabbage Whites and Little Wood Satyrs.

Little Wood Satyr

I went to Strathroy Lagoons today (June 8) to find the Black-necked Stilt.  I finally found it at the opposite side of one of the lagoons in the mudflats.  One was walking around in the tall grass and the other was up and down on the nest.  This is a Lifer.  I got a distant photo.  A scope is needed.

I also heard and saw the Common Gallinule.  It was difficult getting a photo.

Birds and Other Things

May 30 - June 3, 2022

I have been visiting local areas in London.  Finding birds is harder as they are busy nesting and raising their families.  Other things are starting to appear more such as butterflies, dragonflies and flowers.  

Great Blue Heron

Northern Rough-winged Swallows

In the woods, I got some photos of trilliums as they are finishing off heading into June.  I can't believe it's June already!

White Trillium

Spotted Geraniums

Trillium

Yellow Iris

Meadow Anemone

I have not seen too many butterflies yet....hope to find more next week.

Common Ringlet

Monarch

Common Whitetail (female)

Osprey

Midland Painted Turtles

The goslings at Greenway Park are really getting big!