Lambton Lepidoptera

Yesterday's forecast called for sunny skies, a daily high of 23 degrees Celsius and a light breeze. For the past week or so I have been keeping a close eye on the weather forecast since I was anxious to do some exploring in Lambton County. In particular, I was hoping to put in a decent search for Dusted Skipper. This species of butterfly is quite rare in Ontario, only being found in the Ipperwash/Pinery area; however, in areas of suitable habitat they can be reasonably common. Dusted Skippers fly for a month of so and early June seems to be a good time to see them at their peak.

I arrived at Pinery Provincial Park shortly after 9 AM to begin my search. Right away, the visit started well since a Cerulean Warbler was singing frequently from near the ticket booth at the entrance! On my return out of the park later in the day it was not longer singing, but a Hooded Warbler was going off in the same area.

I parked at the Visitor's Centre and began my search, checking out an area that Blake Mann had tipped me off to. Almost right away I found a Dusted Skipper while on my way walking to "the spot". At least two individuals were fluttering around, occasionally checking out some of the flowering plants, of which Hairy Puccoon and Lyre-leaved Rock Cress were the most prominent of the species currently flowering in this area.

Dusted Skipper - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Hairy Puccoon - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

The dusted skipper is a medium to large member of the family. It looks somewhat similar to the much smaller Common Roadside Skipper; one obvious field mark to separate the two includes the prominent white stripe above the eye of Dusted Skipper.

Dusted Skipper - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Dusted Skipper - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Several other butterflies were flying in the same area, including a few species of duskywings (more on them later) and this Eastern Pine Elfin. Three species of elfin can be found at Pinery, including Hoary and Brown Elfins in addition to this species. However, elfins are early-season butterflies and I could not turn up any Hoary or Brown Elfins throughout the day; evidently their flight for the year is practically finished.

Eastern Pine Elfin - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

With the pressure off, I took my time and explored the area for another hour and a half. Butterflies remained my priority but I also kept an eye on the vegetation, due to the uniqueness and diversity of the area. 

Dwarf Chinquapin Oak - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Balsam Ragwort - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Fragrant Sumac is a dominant species in the understorey of the forest at Pinery Provincial Park.

Fragrant Sumac - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

While Red Columbines are quite common and widespread, I never tire of seeing them - they are pretty photogenic.

Red Columbine - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Speaking of Red Columbine - this species is the host plant for several butterflies including the appropriately-named Columbine Duskywing. This small duskywing species proved to be rather common at Pinery Provincial Park and I estimated that perhaps half of the duskywings I found were of this species. 

Columbine Duskywing - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Columbine Duskywing - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Wild Indigo Duskywing is quite similar to Columbine Duskywing, and some individuals are very difficult to identify with confidence. At least a few Wild Indigos were noted throughout the morning.

Wild Indigo Duskywing - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Juvenal's Duskywing is yet another species of duskywing found throughout much of Ontario. Compared to the other species, Juvenal's Duskywing has much more prominent white spots in the forewing.

Juvenal's Duskywing - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

 I turned up two Five-lined Skinks throughout the day. A disjunct population of this Endangered species occurs in the Pinery area.

Five-lined Skink - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

 Dusted Skippers continued to appear, many of them still looking rather fresh. It was a great opportunity to study the species, and try to differentiate flying individuals from the numerous duskywings.

Dusted Skipper - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Dusted Skipper - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Dusted Skipper - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Dusted Skipper - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

American Lady butterflies continue to be easy to find this year, following an excellent flight of them earlier in the spring.

American Lady - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

I noticed quite a few azures throughout the morning. This genus (Celastrina) is in flux and no one is really sure what species the southern Ontario "spring" azures really are. 

Azure (Celastrina sp.). - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

The day was becoming just gorgeous. The sun ensured that all manner of Lepidoptera and Odonata were out and about. I did not do too much "oding" but photographed a few species.

Common Baskettail - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Dusky Clubtail (tentative) - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Dusky Clubtail (tentative) - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

And just a few more flower photos...

Balsam Ragwort - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrynchium sp.) - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

While leaving the area an interesting duskywing landed near my feet. It was a little worn but very obviously a Sleepy Duskywing. This was only the second time I've encountered this rare species in Ontario; the previous time was not very long ago. Sleepy Duskywings are oak specialists and only found in a few select locations in southern Ontario. 

Sleepy Duskywing - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

I returned to the Visitor's Centre by late morning, very pleased with my haul of butterflies. Next up on my agenda was a check for Prairie Warbler along the beach.

Chipping Sparrow - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

I parked at Beach 6 and immediately heard a Prairie Warbler singing. That was easy! Some additional butterflies were near the parking lot as well, including more duskywings.

Columbine Duskywing (tentative) - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

The Prairie continued to sing frequently while I explored, its vocalizations adding to the ambiance. Meanwhile, Big Sand Tiger Beetles were quite common in the sandy sections between vegetation clumps. I flushed one which apparently landed too close to another one. The intruder was soon jumped on, and the fearsome jaws locked on, instigating a tussle that lasted for at least a minute.

Big Sand Tiger Beetle - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Big Sand Tiger Beetles - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

Big Sand Tiger Beetles - Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton County

I left Pinery Provincial Park and pointed my car south. My goal was to check out a new area for me - the Ipperwash Dunes and Swales property; an NCC property which was established and protected in 2013 as I understand it.  I was hoping to come across Common Roadside Skipper here since there are reports from the Ipperwash area, but it just wasn't in the cards today. Several other butterflies were around, though!

My first Hobomok Skipper of the year.

Hobomok Skipper - Ipperwash Dunes and Swales, Lambton County

I found a single Dreamy Duskywing, giving me five total species of duskywings for the morning. It is too bad that Mottled Duskywing is likely extirpated from the Pinery since that would have rounded out the duskywing list nicely.

Dreamy Duskywing - Ipperwash Dunes and Swales, Lambton County

The botanizing was fun here and I observed a few species for the first time, and re-familiarized myself with others. I thought that certain areas had a real northern feel due to the plants that were present. Pink Lady Slipper is a common species in the southern Canadian Shield area but it becomes decidedly less common as one moves south. It was present in good numbers at Ipperwash Dunes and Swales, though.

Pink Lady's Slipper - Ipperwash Dunes and Swales, Lambton County

Near the entrance I walked one more sandy stretch of trail that looked productive for Common Roadside Skipper. Two dark skippers were found along here; they were both Dusted Skippers as well!

Dusted Skipper - Ipperwash Dunes and Swales, Lambton County

This individual was quite fresh and rather attractive (relatively speaking).

Dusted Skipper - Ipperwash Dunes and Swales, Lambton County

This part of Ontario is one of my favorites and I wish I had more opportunities to explore here. I'm sure I'll be back soon!