Pelee Island: (The final chapter)

Lake Henry and Lighthouse Point!

Established in 1984 as a Provincial nature reserve, Lighthouse Point encompasses remnants of Carolinian Forest, Savannah and the largest remaining wetland on Pelee Island. Built in 1833, this is the second oldest Canadian Lighthouse on Lake Erie. The islands and surrounding reefs posed a dangerous threat to the safe passage of many ships until the construction of the Pelee Island Lighthouse in 1833. More than 200 ships have laid to rest on the bottom of Lake Erie between Pelee Island and Point Pelee; an area named the Pelee Passage and considered one of the most treacherous sections of Lake Erie. (Ontario Parks Sign).

Exposed Tree roots along beach.

View of Lighthouse taken from ferry.

The Island hosted a large population of migrating Red-winged Blackbirds during our visit!

Tree Swallows were also abundant all over the island.

In the late 1800's, the majority of the island's wetlands were drained by building a series of canals and dykes, creating 5000 acres of continuous farming. In 1972, a combination of high lake levels and severe storms caused a breach in the barrier dyke. This event flooded the field, reverting the area back to its former coastal marsh state. The wetland is now the largest remaining wetland on the island and is known as Lake Henry. (Ontario Parks Sign)

Canada Geese having a snooze.

Painted Turtles enjoying the sun in a sheltered area.

Male Trumpeter Swan patrolling Lake Henry. His partner was sitting on the nearby nest.

We noticed Warbler activity along a roadside ditch and were lucky to find a Cerulean Warbler! Although I have heard them in recent years, this is the first one that I have laid eyes on in several years. It is a Species at Risk.

Blackburnian Warbler: Many birds stayed high in the trees, making photography a challenge!

Cape May Warbler

Juvenile Blackpoll Warbler

Palm Warber

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler: PC Mike Kent: These birds are often viewed as they “admire” their reflections!  From forest, to alvar, to wetland, the variety of habitats present on the island is one of the reasons for its biological diversity! This landscape has been created by both natural and human processes making Pelee Island's heritage very interesting and diverse! (Ontario Parks Sign) Thanks to Mike, and Quest Tours for providing a well organized trip to satiate our curious minds!

Pelee Island Part 2: 

Fish Point, Stone Road Alvar, Rare Snakes!

On our first full day, we started at Fish Point, which is at the southern end of Pelee Island. Nearly one-sixth of Ontario's plant species are found at Fish Point. The warmest growing season in Canada, combined with moderate winters, allow Hop Trees, Swamp Rose Mallow, Honey Locust and Prickly Pear Cactus to flourish. The native plants are hosts for many insects which in turn feed migrating birds! The trail is 1.6 km from the trail head to the point. (Ontario Parks Sign) 

Most trails were easy walking!

Red-headed Woodpecker

American Yellow Morel

Virginia Creeper

We saw many species hidden amongst the wetland plants including Tree Swallows, Purple Martins, Eastern Kingbird, a Great Blue Heron, and sooooo many Red-winged Blackbirds! A few warbler species, Woodpeckers and Baltimore Orioles, were also found in the adjacent woodland.

Canada Goose Goslings at edge of Lake Erie.

The final stretch to the point is along the sandy Lake Erie shoreline.

Looking toward the Point, which like Point Pelee, also shifts and changes on the whim of the weather.

Middle Island is Canada's southernmost Island, and is only 150 metres from the U.S. border. This photo was taken from the tip of Pelee Island. 1920's rum-runners used the island as a former way station during Prohibition. Today, the island has been reborn as a conservation area owned by Parks Canada as part of Point Pelee National Park. The Carolinian forest corridor provides food and shelter for migrating birds, some of which aren't found anywhere else in Canada!

https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/rum-runners-island-the-fascinating-story-of-canadas-southernmost-point/

Stone Road Alvar

Stone Road Alvar is one of Pelee Island's most important natural areas, and has been designated as a provincial Area of Natural and Scientific interest. Alvars occur on flat limestone bedrock where soils are thin or absent, and have adapted to seasonal drought and flooding. Alvar communities are globally imperilled and support several globally rare species. 

Large Field Chickweed

Close to the trailhead, we found a swarm of thousands of bees. Swarming is a natural part of a honey bee's life cycle, typically occurring in spring or early summer when hives become overcrowded. During this process, the queen leaves the hive, accompanied by a large number of worker bees, clustering temporarily in a location like a tree while scout bees search for a new home. Generally, swarms remain in one place for several hours to a couple of days, eventually leaving on their own once a suitable residence is found.

https://irescuebees.com/what-to-do-when-bee-swarm-in-your-tree.html

Pearl Crescent

At the Richard and Beryl Ivey Property, managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we found a family of Bald Eagles. One adult sat in a tree on each side of the nest, and 2 Eaglet heads could sometimes be seen from inside the nest.

Bastard Toadflax

The 4 foot height of these 2 plants is not obvious in the photo. Poison Ivy is on the left and a young Shagbark hickory is on the right. We were amazed at how tall the poison Ivy was growing!

"Snakey" Finds!

Blue Racer! When initially found, we believed this young snake to be a melanistic Garter Snake. I checked with some experts who chimed in on iNaturalist and a FB group to learn its true identity. One researcher who has been studying the endangered Blue Racers on Pelee Island for almost 10 years provided some detail. It has a pale belly and the scales are non-keeled. It is moulting in the photo and when it completes its next moult it will have acquired the adult colouring. It was likely born at the end of August in 2025. I’ve been updating Mike (holding the snake) He has seen individuals captured by the researchers but this is the first one he has found by himself! 

Lake Erie Watersnake, basking in the sunshine, blocked from the wind.

These juvenile Lake Erie water snakes “fought” back when they were picked up. Notice the snake’s jaws biting Mike’s hand just above the right thumb!

Unisexual Salamander Complex - (not identified to species yet.)

 Pelee Island, Birding and Wildlife!

Southernmost Inhabited Point in Canada!

I joined a Worldwide Quest Trip to Pelee Island from May 7-10. Our hosts were the keepers of the Wandering Dog Inn, a delightful place to stay! Mike Kent was the leader of our enthusiastic group!

Pelee Island Map

After brief introductions, we went on a short bird walk down the road which was adjacent to the James Duncan Memorial Tract. Many Baltimore Orioles lined the route.

I saw a new (to me) squirrel species on the island. The Eastern Fox Squirrel is quite common, but this was the only photo I was able to take. They are a little larger than our Grey Squirrel. Above, the tail, eyes and head of the squirrel are visible if you look carefully.

The first of many Barn Swallows we saw.

Blue Phlox was in full bloom.

White-crowned Sparrow

Barn Swallows were busy with nest preparation at the Wandering Dog Inn.

A pair of Barn Swallows appear to be discussing the next steps.

Outside of my room, I spied a Brown-headed Cowbird sitting on a Swallow nest. She may have been just laying an egg, but I noticed her sitting there for several hours. This is odd behaviour as Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and don't incubate their own eggs. They are North America's most common "brood parasite." Female Cowbirds put all their energy into producing eggs, often as many as 3 dozen in a summer. By laying her eggs in the nests of other species, the host bird raises the Cowbird's offspring, often to the detriment of the nest builder's young.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/overview

Tennessee Warbler, found just outside the Wandering Inn.

Florian Diamante Nature Reserve Wetland and Viewing Blind.

A 62-acre wetland surrounded by a 1.6 km clay berm provide habitat needs for many creatures including Gray Fox, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Ash, Lake Erie Watersnake, Blue Racer and Wood Duck. The former farm land previously drained the water from the area, but tile drainage has been removed to allow the water to remain. Visitors can walk a perimeter trail and view birds from behind a blind.

https://www.peleeisland.com/2020/10/15/returning-to-nature-wetland-restoration-project-on-pelee-island/

Viewing Blind

A  Western Cattle Egret had been reported on the island earlier in the day. When we returned to the wetland for an evening visit, the bird circled the water a few times before settling down in the plants. The egret is in the centre of the highly cropped photo.

4 Great Egrets also moved around within the wetland before heading to some trees to roost for the night.

Once dusk made it difficult to see, we headed back to the Inn. Hundreds of Swallows also chose to spend the night at the wetlands.

An interesting tree cavity.