Brown Pelican at Jordan harbour, Niagara Region

Over the past week or so an immature Brown Pelican has been making the rounds in the lower Great Lakes. One was seen in Buffalo on May 19, and on May 22nd one was found at Newcastle harbour in Durham Region, Ontario. Presumably the same bird is involved but I have not seen photos of the Buffalo bird.

The pelican eventually flew west from Newcastle late in the afternoon on May 22 and several intrepid observers managed to connect with the bird as it cruised past the Toronto waterfront that evening. Despite birders lined up at several strategic lakefront viewpoints further west, it was not seen again that evening.

On May 23 I was about to leave home to head to a job site when I received word that the pelican had been spotted at Jordan harbour. As I was going to be driving past Jordan harbour I dropped in for a few minutes on my way.

Brown Pelican - Jordan harbour, Niagara Region

I chatted briefly with Jean Hampson and Joanne Redwood, both who were in the right place at the right time and were able to stop by to check out the bird. After a few minutes of observation it took to the air, but only briefly as it settled again on a small pier within the harbour.

Brown Pelican - Jordan harbour, Niagara Region

Brown Pelican - Jordan harbour, Niagara Region

The bird can be aged as a 1st year Brown Pelican (born in the 2018 breeding season) due to its overall dingy brown head and face and completely dark bill.

Brown Pelican - Jordan harbour, Niagara Region

While Brown Pelican is widely found in coastal tropical and subtropical areas, they are very rare in the Great Lakes Region. Ontario has a total of 17 accepted records of Brown Pelican, including six records from the summer of 1994, and five records from 2002. Because Brown Pelicans are big, obvious birds that are likely to be noticed by birder and non-birder alike, when one appears it is often documented from several different locations. Therefore, it is hard to be certain how many Brown Pelicans were involved in 1994 and 2002. This is the fourth Brown Pelican to have been documented in Niagara Region, following birds in 1971, 2013 and 2017.

Brown Pelican - Jordan harbour, Niagara Region

I snapped a couple of photos of the Ring-billed Gulls sharing a perch with the pelican. Later in the morning, others saw a Forster's Tern here as well.

Ring-billed Gulls - Jordan harbour, Niagara Region

I only had a few minutes to share with the Brown Pelican before I needed to be on my way, but it was well worth it. It is not often that one has a chance to see such a rare species close to home, with the chance for good quality photos as well. The pelican left but came back later in the day, allowing others to catch up with it as well.

Brown Pelican - Jordan harbour, Niagara Region

In the days since there have been periodic reports of the pelican in Jordan, but it hasn't been "nailed down" and is usually not present when birders stop by. Hopefully it can be re-found in coming days!

Brown Pelican - Jordan harbour, Niagara Region

Long Point snakes, skippers and spleenworts

I met up with Todd Hagedorn yesterday for some exploration in Norfolk County. The day held promise with a forecast of 23 degrees, sun, and light winds, and Norfolk did not disappoint!

One of my main goals for returning to Norfolk at this time of year was to try to find a Sleepy Duskywing. I recently posted about this species when I unsuccessfully searched for them last weekend. Sleepy Duskywing has a short flight season in Ontario and only a single brood so I was running out of time if I hoped to catch up with one this year.

Eastern Flowering Dogwood - Norfolk County, Ontario

One of the first locations we visited was the St. Williams Conservation Reserve, an area that has records of Sleepy Duskywing. As the sun rose higher into the sky, butterflies began taking to the wing and we had soon seen American Lady, Red Admiral, Common Sulphur, American Copper, Monarch and our first duskywing - a Dreamy Duskywing, closely related to our main target, Sleepy Duskywing. As an aside, don't butterflies have great names?

American Copper - Norfolk County, Ontario

Dreamy Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

American Lady - Norfolk County, Ontario

We kept exploring and duskywings began to appear. The genus Erynnis (duskywings) is notoriously difficult to learn, as many of the duskywings look incredibly similar. This individual is a female Juvenal's Duskywing, and  is identified by the size and placement of the white spots on the forewings, among other features. Generally, Juvenal's Duskywings have the most prominent forewing spots out of southern Ontario's regularly occurring duskywings. Often, identification cannot be based on just one feature; rather it is determined from a combination of features, which makes things challenging.

Juvenal's Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

I believe this is a Wild Indigo Duskywing, a species which has recently colonized parts of Ontario where it was previously absent. While Wild Indigo Duskywings historically were known to feed on Wild Indigos (Baptisia), many current populations feed on Purple Crown-Vetch, a common species planted along roadsides to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. As a result, Wild Indigo Duskywings can now be found throughout much of southern Ontario.

Wild Indigo Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

This is another Dreamy Duskywing. Compare the forewing of this individual with the Wild Indigo and Juvenal's Duskywings above. Dreamy Duskywings lack the forewing spots, while also exhibiting a bold silvery subcostal patch on the forewing.

Dreamy Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

In some sandy patches we discovered quite a number of tiger beetles of three species: Bronzed, Festive and Big Sand. The latter was one I had never seen before. 

Big Sand Tiger Beetle - Norfolk County, Ontario

Big Sand Tiger Beetle - Norfolk County, Ontario

Several of these Oil Beetles (Meloe sp.) were easily found in the sandy patches as well. These interesting beetles exude an oily substance from between their joints, which can cause blistering and swelling. Due to their shortened wings, Oil Beetles are typically flightless. 

Oil Beetle (Meloe sp.) - Norfolk County, Ontario

We also came across several migrant butterfly species. Some migrants, including American and Painted Lady and Red Admiral, have been streaming through the province for weeks. Typically, good flights of these species means that other uncommon southern species may be on their way north as well. Todd and I came across a single American Snout and Gray Hairstreak during our travels, both species that migrate and temporarily colonize southern Ontario some years, but are absent in others. 

Gray Hairstreak - Norfolk County, Ontario

We finished up and cruised over to the Wilson Tract to continue our search for the Sleepy Duskywing, stopping to photograph a few Vesper Sparrows along the way. 

Vesper Sparrow - Norfolk County, Ontario

Vesper Sparrow - Norfolk County, Ontario

Vesper Sparrow - Norfolk County, Ontario

The Wilson Tract seems to be one of the more reliable locations for Sleepy Duskywing and the sun was high enough in the sky to illuminate the sandy road running along the south border of the Wilson Tract. I had barely stepped out of the car when I spotted the first one! This one was looking worn, not unexpected as we approach the end of its flight season. 

Sleepy Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

It flew after a few moments of observation and somehow vanished so we pressed on, eager for a prolonged view. We got our wish as half an hour later a more cooperative individual appeared on the road. This time, by exhibiting some stealth, Todd and I were able to come away with full-frame photos, and a great opportunity to study the species. 

Sleepy Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

Sleepy Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

Like Dreamy Duskywing featured earlier in this post, Sleepy Duskywing lacks the bright white spots in the forewing. It can be told apart from Dreamy Duskywing by the patterning of the forewing, especially the patterning of the outer chain mail-like band on the forewing. Sleepy Duskywing also exhibits less gray "frosting" on the forewing compared to Dreamy Duskywing. 

Sleepy Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

Sleepy Duskywing is an oak specialist, as these trees are the only known foodplant for the species. The Wilson Tract and some of the surrounding forests in the Long Point area have an abundance of oaks, which explains why this is one of the last strongholds in Ontario for the species.

Sleepy Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

The most familiar tiger beetle in Ontario is the Six-spotted Tiger Beetle. Dozens of these iridescent insects lit up the roadway as we walked. 

Six-spotted Tiger Beetle - Norfolk County, Ontario

 The Wilson Tract had a fair number of duskywings flying around, and we noted both Wild Indigo and Juvenal's along with the Sleepy Duskywings.

Juvenal's Duskywing - Norfolk County, Ontario

With our main target "in the bag", Todd and I still had all afternoon to explore the upland forests and swamps of this part of Norfolk County. We hit up several spots and found a nice variety of things!

Snakes are a main goal of mine whenever I'm in Norfolk County at this time of year. Todd and I had a great snake day as we found 2 Eastern Hognose Snakes, about 20 Eastern Gartersnakes, around 10 Dekay's Brownsnakes and a single Red-bellied Snake.  Unfortunately my go-to Smooth Greensnake spot failed to give up any on this day.

Eastern Hognose Snake - Norfolk County, Ontario

This appeared to be a big female Eastern Hognose that Todd spotted as it actively cruised around. Soon, she will find a location to dig a burrow and lay her clutch of eggs inside. Eastern Hognose Snakes are one of the few species in eastern North America that actively burrow, utilizing their upturned snout as a makeshift spade.

Eastern Hognose Snake - Norfolk County, Ontario

Eastern Hognose Snake - Norfolk County, Ontario

Eastern Hognose Snake - Norfolk County, Ontario

The second hoggie was a yearling that I discovered along the edge of a road. Baby Eastern Hognose Snakes are pretty adorable, with their beautiful colors and patterns, little upturned snout and short, stocky bodies.

Eastern Hognose Snake - Norfolk County, Ontario

Eastern Hognose Snake - Norfolk County, Ontario

Eastern Hognose Snake - Norfolk County, Ontario

Plants were another big focus of ours as we explored. I find that after a bird-heavy April and May, by the end of May I am feeling pretty burnt out bird-wise and eager to indulge some of my other interests. There was something freeing about walking along a shady forest trail in Backus Woods, inspecting the plants and insects, and just seeing what we came across without any particular goal in mind. For a budding botanist like myself, the Carolinian zone of Ontario is more than a little daunting due to its species diversity. While I feel like I know the plants of the boreal and Canadian Shield areas relatively well, I have a ton to learn down south!

American Chesnut - Norfolk County, Ontario

Todd pointed out this Eastern Chestnut to me, the first one I've seen before "in the wild". This formerly widespread species was nearly wiped out due to Chestnut Blight and is now found in only a few locations in southern Ontario. It is listed as Endangered provincially, as is the Eastern Flowering Dogwood, pictured below.

Eastern Flowering Dogwood - Norfolk County, Ontario

We heard a number of bird species that are typical of these Carolinian woodlands as we walked including Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Acadian Flycatcher and oodles of Hooded Warblers. Several late migrating species were also detected, including Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Tennessee Warbler.

The Ebony Spleenwort is an interesting little fern that can be found in a few locales in Norfolk. It is a species that ranges mostly in the eastern US, but strangely it can also be found in southern Africa, a distribution not known for any other North American fern.

Ebony Spleenwort - Norfolk County, Ontario

 This post is getting rather long, so I will close with a few photos of some other plants, herps and insects from the day.

Violet sp. - Norfolk County, Ontario

Wood Frog - Norfolk County, Ontario

Swamp Darner - Norfolk County, Ontario

Pearl Crescent - Norfolk County, Ontario

Wild Blue Phlox - Norfolk County, Ontario

A search for two rare butterflies

On May 17 I headed back down to Point Pelee for my last weekend of watching bird migration before my work schedule began to swing into high gear. I could have driven down to be there mid-morning on Friday but I decided to take my time and explore a few other areas on my way down. The forecast was looking sunny and warm and two rare butterfly species beckoned.

My first stop was a location in north Halton Region that is known to have a population of West Virginia Whites. This species is an uncommon resident species in Ontario, known from several widely scattered populations. It requires rich deciduous woods that contain its main footplant - Two-leaved Toothwort. West Virginia Whites only fly for a month or so in early spring and it was a species I had never searched for before since their flight period coincides with peak bird migration.

I arrived at my destination to the sound of a Yellow-throated Vireo singing from above a roadside wetland. The morning was still cool and a stubborn array of clouds just wouldn't clear away but I was hopeful that the butterflies would begin to flutter by within an hour or two as the day warmed.

Long-spurred Violet - Milton, Halton Region

Large White Trillium - Milton, Halton Region

Red Trillium - Milton, Halton Region

Downy Yellow Violet - Milton, Halton Region

Spring ephemeral wildflowers were at their peak and I thoroughly enjoyed walking along with my eyes to the ground, observing the spread of flowers in front of me. Two-leaved Toothwort, the host plant for West Virginia White, was quite common along with many other species.

Two-leaved Toothwort - Milton, Halton Region

Red Trillium - Milton, Halton Region

Canada Violet - Milton, Halton Region

Early Blue Cohosh - Milton, Halton Region

Some rustling off the path alerted me to the presence of a North American Porcupine. It took a minute before the porcupine appeared to realize that I was only six meters away, which caused it to ruffle its spines on its back and tail, and shuffle off. This was my first excellent look at a porcupine in several years. I love their spiny mohawk!

North American Porcupine - Milton, Halton Region

I walked for over two hours, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells. The clouds were long gone at this point and it was turning into one of those perfect mornings: sunny and warm (but not too warm), calm, many birds - migrant and resident species alike - singing from the canopy, flowers in bloom, no biting insects, and signs of life everywhere one looked. If only I could find a West Virginia White to make it a perfect morning.

Eastern Gartersnake - Milton, Halton Region

Unfortunately it was not to be, despite the excellent conditions, and I headed back to my car to continue on. The only butterflies I had been able to turn up were azures, an Eastern Comma and a Mourning Cloak. 

Azure sp. - Milton, Halton Region

I was about 100 meters from my car when I caught sight of a white butterfly casually flitting above a bed of wildflowers. Indeed, it was my target species. Over the next 10 minutes I followed the butterfly as it loped around, pausing periodically to rest.

West Virginia White - Milton, Halton Region

West Virginia White - Milton, Halton Region

West Virginia White looks very similar to the more widespread Mustard White, another denizen of rich deciduous woods in southern Ontario. It is best told apart from that species by the pattern of the veins on the underside of the wings. The spring form of Mustard White is quite different looking from below due to dark scaling on the veins, and shouldn't be confused with West Virginia White if one has a good look. Cabbage White, an invasive species that is one of the most common butterflies in southern Ontario, is also superficially similar to West Virginia White. The dark tips to the forewing and dark spot(s)  in the middle of the forewing on Cabbage White separate that species from West Virginia White, with its clean white wings. Cabbage White is also more likely to be found in waste areas, parklands and other open habitats.

West Virginia White - Milton, Halton Region

Spurred on by my success I returned to my car to continue my journey. I thought about heading straight to Point Pelee but decided to detour for one more special butterfly. I was feeling lucky.

For two hours I explored several tracts of land in the Long Point area, hoping to come across a rare skipper called Sleepy Duskywing. I did not have exact location information for this species but explored some general areas where I knew they were present. The day had become quite warm at this point with a breeze and butterflying was difficult. The most common species, by far, was Eastern Pine Elfin, of which I saw perhaps 15. Several American Coppers were also noted.

Eastern Pine Elfin - Norfolk County

American Copper - Norfolk County

I was not able to confirm Sleepy Duskywing but I may have seen some. White visiting one open, sandy area surrounded by oaks, I flushed at least two individual duskywings on a couple of occasions. They were both extremely skittish and difficult to stay on in flight, and I never had a confirming look through binoculars. Given the habitat and their behaviour they were likely Sleepy Duskywings. I guess I will have to return at a later date to finally nail down this species!

I watched a number of tiger beetles in a sandy patch, and took photos of several individuals. Tiger beetles are a fun group to study since they are readily observable, there is a nice variety of species in Ontario (but it is not overwhelming), and many of them have unique patterns and colors. 

Festive Tiger Beetle - Long Point area, Norfolk County

Festive Tiger Beetle - Long Point area, Norfolk County

Bronzed Tiger Beetle  - Long Point area, Norfolk County

Festive Tiger Beetle - Long Point area, Norfolk County