Saturday, August 10, 2019

The Flycatchers of the Mount Royal Cemetery

This year I was fortunate enough to see five different species of flycatcher in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal.  

One of them was a rarity - the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.  

Here is a photographic record of them all.


Eastern Kingbird


Great-crested Flycatcher


Least Flycatcher (most likely)


Yellow-bellied Flycatcher


Eastern Phoebe

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Cute Little Moths


This summer has been wonderful for sightings of a type of moth that I find very cute and appealing.

There are several species that flit from flower to flower during the day and I have been lucky enough to find four of them. 

These are fast moving, small insects who usually mimic either hummingbirds, bees, or wasps.  It has been quite a challenge to catch them in flight or as they hover and sip nectar.



Nessus Sphinx Moth


Squash Vine Borer Moth


Hummingbird Clearwing Moth


Snowberry Clearwing Moth


Snowberry Clearwing attacking Hummingbird Clearwing

I noticed that Snowberry moths will chase each other in territorial clashes but are much more aggressive with Hummingbird moths, often making physical contact.

Next time you think you've seen a hummingbird or a bee at a flower, take a closer look!