Walk Through Wetlands

June 14, 2023

These are the first butterflies I've seen in June so far.  Not very many.  Also saw Cabbage Whites in May and June.  At my favorite places about 3 years ago the long grass, flowering weeds were all cut back and it has not been the same since.  Also in the area, the Buckthorn bushes were bulldozed down and also the dead trees the woodpeckers liked.  I have not seen any dragonflies yet. 

Little Wood Satyr

Viceroy

Eastern Giant Swallowtail

I went to the Coves yesterday and saw a Snapping Turtle and Midland Painted Turtles which is always nice.  Not a great photo of Snapping Turtle. 

White-tailed Deer

Tricolored Heron

London, Ontario - June 7, 2023

A Tricolored Heron was found at Thames River yesterday.  This bird is found south-east US, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and north South America.  I've seen this bird in Florida many years ago so it's not a lifer for me.  But it's a Middlesex County lifer!  A very small delicate heron with a colour of beautiful slaty-blue with a white belly.  A Great Blue Heron flew in and the Great Blue looked huge compared to the Tricolored Heron.  A very nice bird!

June Birding - Very Warm and Dry Conditions

Continuing from mid-May and into June, we've had no rain.  It is getting so dry that some small ponds I go to are dried up.  It's not good hearing about the wildfires across north Canada.

For the start of June, I have been out birding at a few spots.  Out in open fields, I love hearing the Eastern Meadowlark.  Also seeing Song Sparrows, Killdeers, Mourning Doves, Red-tailed Hawks, Ospreys, American Robins, American Goldfinches, Savannah Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrow.

Grasshopper Sparrows are very tiny sparrows....one would see them out in fields. grasslands and prairies.  They have been in steep decline in some areas due to habitat loss.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Northern Mockingbird

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Song Sparrow

Mallard family

Female Wood Duck and ducklings

In the butterfly category, I saw my FOY Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Eastern Giant Swallowtail.  The last few days while birding, I have not seen any butterflies (not even Cabbage Whites) anywhere.  Also, have not seen any dragonflies.  I'm getting concerned about this.  Maybe it's still too early, I don't know.   

It is very, very dry...we need rain!