First of April Birding

 April Birding

We have had up and down weather with rain lately.  Today, April 3, was a beautiful day.  I saw my first butterfly and turtles of the season.

Mourning Cloak

Painted Turtles

I saw two Ospreys today...first of season. 

Ospreys

Back to the Bog

I went to the Sifton Bog this week.  I have not been there since the start of the Pandemic.  The boardwalk is narrow and it's hard to distance from other people.  There were some people that came in and I still don't feel comfortable especially when trying to pass each other.  I was in and out but it was nice to see the bog.

There is a small patch of Butterfly Milkweed near the Common Milkweed.  It's so pretty with its brilliant orange clustered flowers.  

Butterfly Milkweed

The small cranberry bushes already have cranberries showing.

I found a couple of Grass Pink Orchids.

Marsh Ferns

Sphagnum Moss

Red Admiral

There were lots of Midland Painted Turtles.  Across the pond, the turtles were coming out to bath in the sun.  I scanned the edges and counted 25 turtles and they were still coming out of the water.

Lots of turtles

And I found this little turtle just in front of me.

I only saw two different dragonflies.  The Common Whitetail and the Blue Dasher.  

Blue Dasher

At other parks this week, I enjoyed watching Eastern Kingbirds feeding their young.

Young Eastern Kingbird

Dun Skipper

Variable Dancer

Elony Jewelwing

Staghorn Sumac

I decided to go to London Airport to see the Northern Mockingbirds. 

 

Northern Mockingbird

There were lots of Cabbage Whites, some Clouded Sulphurs and a Mourning Cloak.

Mourning Cloak

Savannah Sparrow

FOS Butterfly

 March 22, 2021

I saw my first butterfly of the season today.

Mourning Cloak

Variety of Wildlife - mainly looking for Odonates

July 6, 2020 - The Coves

Very hot, getting hotter every hour, feels like 36c.  Very dry...we really need rain!  Some photos below of wildlife I saw.

Trumpet Vine

Eastern Forktail

Eastern Forktail

Mallard families - females and young.

American Goldfinches collecting nesting material.

American Goldfinsh

European Skipper

Silver-spotted Skipper

There were a lot of Robins and their young.

The milkweed is starting to bloom but shriveling up fast as it is so dry.

July 7, 2020 - Westminster Ponds

I was mainly looking for some different odas.  I saw a variety of butterflies which was nice.  

Mourning Cloak

Delaware Skipper

Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Pondhawk

Common Wood-Nymph

Blue Dasher

Slaty Skimmer (rare in London Area)

Thanks to Quinten for ID!

Eastern Amberwing

July 8, 2020 - Cantebury Park

Today is an extremely hot day.  At 10;00am, it was 27c, feels like 35c, very hot scorching heat.  I was at the park for 45 min and that's all I can handle.

Painted Turtle

Widow Skimmer

Mourning Cloak

Little Wood Satyr?  Very worn