Moth Night in the Park!

We had a good start to mothing this spring! We carried the moth equipment to the woodlot at the end of our street. The first species we found after setting up was the caterpillar of a Giant Leopard Moth. It was nibbling on young leaves that were emerging from the tree buds.

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Video: The caterpillar was very active after it fed!

A Grote's Sallow was the first species to land on the sheet which we hung on a rope strung between two trees. There was a bit of a breeze and we learned that we should have found 2 trees a little closer together to reduce flapping of the sheet.

During breezier conditions, moths were finding other things to land on including our hats, pants and jackets! We all took turns being the "model" while others took photos! We found 14 species and look forward to many more moth nights this year!

Small Engrailed

Intractable Quaker

Double-lined Gray

Distinct Quaker

Canadian Melanolophia Moth

Intent Zale Moth - If you ignore the red tarp, the moth chose a spotted log that closely resembled the patterning on the wing! 

Small Engrailed

Curved-tooth Geometer Moth

I believe this is a White Sac Spider. Lots of critters depend upon the leaf layer on the forest floor for survival!

 Tiny Wings

With warmer days becoming more common, a greater variety of species are flying. Green Darners are migrating north and are now being found in Southern Ontario. As many as 9 species of dragonflies participate in some kind of migration in North America.

Olympia Marble on Rock Cress: Although the adults can nectar on different flowers, Rock Cress is the host plant for the larva.

I only recently learned that there are several types of Tiger Beetles. The Big Sand Tiger Beetle is one that can be found in North Lambton. (photographed by Deryl)

Common Claybank Tiger Beetle: There are over 30 species of tiger beetles in Canada. They are predatory insects with long legs that help them move extremely fast. Due to their ability to run quickly, they become momentarily blind. Then they must stop to reorient themselves before resuming the chase.

https://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/beetles/tiger-beetles/

Festive Tiger Beetle

A backlit Mourning Cloak rested in a Willow Tree.

American Painted Lady rests on an Oak leaf: I was very surprised that it was flying on such a cool morning. If it hadn't moved, we likely would not have noticed it. They are migratory butterflies.

Cabbage White Butterfly, camouflaged with its surroundings, right in the centre of the photo.

 Nature's Treasure Hunt!

Spending time in nature is like going on a treasure hunt everyday! I never know what I’ll find! Whitewash on the ground caused us to look up and I noticed 2 tails! Not one, but two Eastern Screech Owls were snuggled in the tree above!

The Grey phase and Red-phase Screech Owls were very well hidden on a branch in a White Pine Tree. It is just about time for them to be starting their family! They have likely already chosen the nesting cavity.

White-throated Sparrow popped up onto a log to have a look around.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler, trying to decide which of the many flying mites it was going to catch and eat. One of the best times to find this species is during spring migration when large numbers can be found.

Common Grackle with iridescent head.

A nearby Common Grackle was busy collecting nesting material.

Green Heron: He was eyeing a mink that was running along the edge of the island.

Killdeer on the rocky shoreline.

Orange-crowned Warbler, possibly the first recorded on ebird this year in the entire Province! The orange crown on this species is rarely seen, except when the bird is excited and raises its head feather. Their slim shape, sharply pointed bill, and warmer yellow under the tail are clues as to their identity!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Orange-crowned_Warbler/overview

Red-bellied Woodpecker making a "back door" exit.

Common Loons resting in the Sarnia Bay: Common Loons swim underwater to catch fish, propelling themselves forward with their feet. Prey is swallowed almost entirely underwater. They have sharp, rearward-pointing projections on the roof of the mouth and tongue that help to keep a firm hold on slippery fish.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Loon/overview

 Hullett Marsh - OFO trip

Habitat restoration began at Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area in 1979, in an area adjacent to the South Maitland River. The 800 hectare property provides secure conditions for waterfowl and other wildlife, including species at risk. We joined an OFO (Ontario Field Ornithologists) outing on April 20th along with another 20 members. We had been to the area in the past, but this tour showed us some different hiking areas and over 63 bird species!

Birders at Hullett Marsh.

Our first stop was at the east side of the property. I saw 14 species of ducks but additional species were found by others.

The bugling sound of Sandhill Cranes could be heard in the distance before they came close enough to view.

A Canada Goose shelters under the rusted remains of a car frame while incubating eggs. The very old vehicle was likely abandoned in a dry field which later flooded during construction of the wetland.

I saw my first shorebird of the season, a Greater Yellowlegs! 

Many Minnows in the water.

Bridge over a creek along a trail.

Hidden in the shadows, a pair of Black-capped Chickadees spent time excavating a nesting hole.

An immature Bald Eagle, missing a few feathers circled above.

We were very surprised to see an immature Golden Eagle flying very high overhead! Most Golden Eagles have already headed North.

A partially submerged Green Frog rests with it's head and eyeballs showing above the vegetation.

Nesting box #25 for Screech Owl monitoring. (notice the owl outline carved on the side of the box.)

Although it was a cool day, creatures such as this Wooly Bear caterpillar were thriving in sunny, sheltered areas.

A Garter Snake tried to enjoy the warmth of the sun as we walked by.

Canada Geese on patrol.

 6 Legs in the Early Spring!

Bloodroot is one of the few flowers blooming currently and it is an important source of food for many pollinators. A Dunning's Miner Bee stopped by for some nectar refreshment.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler caught a 6-legged creature, possibly a Cellophane Bee.

Another Cellophane Bee is peaking out from the ground nest, looking to see if the coast is clear.

Eastern Comma soaking up the sun!

Spotted Pink Lady Beetles are sometimes called 'beneficial bugs' because they eat aphids, small insects and different kinds of organic matter. 

https://bantam.earth/pink-spotted-lady-beetle-coleomegilla-maculata/

In order to look for moths at night, temperatures need to stay above 10 degrees C. We have been looking forward to moth nights this spring and had our first one on April 13th, attracting a few species!

The Half-wing Moth was one of 3 new species for us. We don't typically look for moths this early in the spring and this is an early season flyer. The average wingspan is about 34 mm. It was attracted to the light, but not the white sheet.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/209713-Phigalia-titea

Pettit's Sallow Moth

Speckled Green Fruitworm Moth - another new moth species.

Celery Leaftier Moth

A member of Short-tailed Ichneumonid Wasps.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/270345827

A good start to the season!!