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October 2000 Sightings in the Windsor Area

Visit the new web site for the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory.

Monday, October 23: Golden Eagles were seen in record numbers this weekend. Thirty-five were seen at Holiday Beach and fifty-two at Lake Erie Metro Park on Saturday. The Ojibway/Ontario Field Ornithologists trip to Holiday Beach on Saturday had great looks at an adult Bald Eagle and 16 Golden Eagles. Other highlights included +2,000 Ruddy Ducks, and large numbers of migrating Turkey Vultures, Red-shouldered Hawks, one Rough-legged Hawk and an Eastern Screech-Owl seen at a roost hole.

Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetles were abundant at Holiday Beach. On Sunday a few million were noted washed up along the western shoreline of Point Pelee National Park (P. Pratt).

Monday, October 16: Thousands of Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetles, Harmonia axyridis, were reported over the weekend in Windsor and LaSalle. On Saturday one home owner reported swarms of the brightly coloured beetles landing on the side of his home and disappearing into the siding cracks. This introduced beetle was first found in Ontario only six years ago but is now the most commonly seen "ladybug" in our region. Other species of lady beetles are also known to aggregate in sheltered spots where they hibernate for the winter. Homeowners should not be concerned as the beetles will disperse on their own next spring.

Many species of lady beetles have been introduced for the control of aphids and other insect pests. This species which is also called the Southern Lady Beetle has been spreading rapidly since its introduction into the southern United States. Unfortunately some of our native species have declined with the increase in exotic species. For more information on lady beetles visit Lady Beetles of Ontario.

Friday, October 6: Fringed Gentians Gentianopsis crinita are in full bloom. A good location to see this species is the old sand pit area in the provincial nature reserve. Many species of asters are still showy and red maple, smooth sumac and virginia creeper are now brightly coloured. Careful observers should be able to find Great Plains Ladies' tresses orchids Spiranthes magnicamporum flowering in sandy prairie meadows.

Sightings today from Black Oak Heritage Park include 2 Orange-crowned Warblers, 10 White-crowned Sparrows, +100 White-throated Sparrows, +25 Chipping Sparrows, 5 Lincoln's Sparrows, 1 Indigo Bunting and +15 Rusty Blackbirds (Fred Urie).

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