Some Nice London Odes (Sifton Bog)

[Quinten Wiegersma]

Hi, me again...

This afternoon I visited Sifton Bog in London. If you haven't been to Sifton Bog, it is a really neat little natural area. There is a floating Sphagnum bog mat, dominated by Leatherleaf and bog cranberries, with lots of Tamarack and Black Spruce. A great showing of grass pink and rose pogonia orchids there as well, in season. For those butterfly enthusiasts, typically Bog Coppers can be found here in late June and July. If it wasn't for the distant hum of traffic on Oxford Street and the singing Northern Cardinals (and today I heard a Red-bellied Woodpecker!), you'd swear you were somewhere several hours to the north! As such, one can imagine this place has some unique to the area odes. 

Redmond's Pond, which is accessed via the boardwalk, is very active with odes of multiple species. One sign you're still in southern Ontario is the abundance of Blue Dashers and Eastern Pondhawks! Today, I was hoping to come across a couple species I hadn't see prior in the county, and I was quite successful. One of the odes I was hoping to come across was Amber-winged Spreadwing, and I saw a few. This is the only place I know of for them in the county, but I am sure they occur elsewhere. I also saw a few Black-tipped Darners, another apparently uncommon species in Middlesex county (my first). There were sprites of both species. I had always thought Sphagnum Sprite occured here, but I had never seen any prior. Today, I saw several. I imagine this is one of very few places they occur in Middlesex, and southwestern Ontario. I love these little damsels. I did very briefly catch glimpse of a Racket-tailed Emerald, which is, as far as I can tell, new for Middlesex county. Took us long enough! This is only our second dragonfly with 'emerald' in its name, the other being Mocha Emerald! Also of note here was my first Spotted Spreadwing of the season, quite teneral.

I went over to Komoka Provincial Park afterwards, to check the pond off Komoka Road. I had seen an iNaturalist observation of Slender Bluet here, and I was hoping to cross paths with one. It was not to be, but I did net a male Double-striped Bluet, only the second I have ever seen.

One last note. Last June I found some Spatterdock Darners in Sifton Bog. I never did go out this June, but I saw a photo of one from nearby Springbank Park. Perhaps it is an individual dispersing from the bog? Certainly great habitat there!

Take care,

Quinten