California's Year 2003 Dragonfly Sightings
in order from MOST
recently to LEAST recently seen! Please send your sightings, with date, county
and location to Kathy Biggs.
Species will be posted using either the Common Name or the Scientific Name,
whichever the sender uses (inc. using both), but all first sightings of the
year, county records, and new flight data will be posted using both names. To
contact the person making the sighting, see the key at bottom of this site.
County records are underlined and in
orange text
*= first/last sighting of species of year in CA
**= possibly new flight data for species in CA
#= possibly a migratory event
97 species
(out of 108 known species) were reported to this site as flying in CA in
2003.
110 county records &/or upgrades to county records (12 of
them at the DSA meeting trips, 5 at the post trip) were made this
year (this # includes upgrades of previous 'sighting only' records, and newly
accessed museum collections).
`Sighting only' records need further documentation, but please report them
so we can try to get substantiation. There may be some upgrades of previous
`sighting only' records and new specimen records from recently examined
museum/private collections. If you find such a record, please email it in.
County records should be substantiated with specimen (preferable) or photo
and notes.
Contributors emails listed at end of document
December
December 24, 2003
Imperial County
Two male Roseate Skimmers were seen at Brock Research Station. That is
just off of I-8 in eastern Imperial County.
December 21, 2003
San Diego County
20 plus Variegated Meadowhawks in Borrego springs area
December 20, 2003
Imperial County
Yuma Christmas Bird Count: Arizona side of river, one female Familiar Bluet,
pictures. In the afternoon with Jeff Coker on the California side of river one Common
Green Darner and one Wandering Glider patrolling the same little
stretch of vegetation. Almost had the glider in the net but missed and ran out
of time as we were supposed to be counting birds! The glider was seen well.
December 17, 2003
Kern & Tulare Counties
Alison Sheehey
Just a note to report the continuing presence of Variegated Meadowhawks
in Kern and Tulare Counties. I photographed one last week during the Red Rock
Christmas Bird Count, and have seen one on the Bakersfield CBC, Buena Vista CBC
and Springville CBC.
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San Diego County
Doug Aguillard
Common Green Darner at Greenwood cemetery today at the main pond.
Habitat where Pacific Forktails wintered last year has been trimmed back, and
there are none to be seen.
December 16, 2003
Alameda County
Joe Morlan
I was surprised to see any kind of dragonfly while birding in Tilden Regional
Park today. I photographed this one hand-holding a digital camera up to my
binoculars. I posted an image in my folder for this group. Is it a Variegated
Meadowhawk? [yes, a fresh looking female - kb]
-------
Yuba County
Bruce Deuel
...while participating in the Marysville Christmas Bird Count, Pete Sands and I
saw a Common Green Darner in a private campground adjacent to the Yuba
River, Yuba County. It's my first sighting of a December ode.
December 14, 2003
Alameda County
Doug Vaughan
... at least two meadowhawks, presumably but not certainly variegated,
near the intersection of Grizzly Peak and Skyline during the Oakland CBC on
Sunday -- a day of brilliant sun but temps near 50.
December 9, 2003
Orange County
Doug Aguillard
...on the 405, .... A Common Green Darner flew in front of my car right
at eye level. I was extremely surprised, but realized I was over the San Diego
(yes it's in Orange County) Creek.
December 8, 2003
Tulare County
Alison Sheehey
A pix taken of a very fresh looking Variegated Meadowhawk at Pixley NWR.
December 6, 2003
Butte County
Michael Ellis
.... at Graylodge a giant green darner.. tough guys [assuming he meant Anax
junius - kb]
November
November 29, 2003
Imperial County
Chris Conard
I found roseate skimmers at Sperry and Eddins at the little canal right
in front of the pig pens. I'm only beginning with odes, but that was a nice
find. I was under the impression that this species was fairly common in the
area, though I'm not sure.
November 24, 2003
San Diego County
Doug Aguillard
Today while getting my hair cut, I looked at the window of the barber shop, and
had a Variegated Meadowhawk flying out over the parking lot, going back
and forth several times. I then got home and found another V. Meadowhawk
in my backyard.
November 8, 2003
San Diego & Imperial County
Doug Aguillard
Started the day at the Salton Sea NWR, where there was lots Roseate
Skimmers, but nothing else. The weird thing was that they were all very
skittish, and not allowing for close approach. So it was off to "Bob's
Place" at the east end of Sinclair Rd, where it meets the East side Main
Canal. I found one late season Powered Dancer*, several Familiar Bluets*,
and more Roseate Skimmers.
I then headed over to the Brawley New River Water Project. There was more Roseate's
Skimmers, Variegated Meadowhawks, Blue-eyed Darners, Rambur's Forktails* in
all color versions including red females, blue females, and the typical green
boys, & Familiar Bluets
On the way back to the Coast, I stopped at the Pine Valley Creek (SDCo) site
for Walker's Darner's. It was not burned, but there was no Odes to be had.
November 4, 2003
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Tuesday- The rains have finally arrived! The long range forecast is looking
pretty wet and cold. This may be the end of ode flight season here in western
Siskiyou County. Hope not!
November 2, 2003
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Sunday, November 2 - I ventured back to Kelly Lake hoping to see if any odes
were on the wing in November. This locality was heavy with ode activity only
one week ago. The weather changed overnight. A cold front brought in the first
snowfall of the season. I arrived at Kelly Lake at noon. It was snowing with
one half inch of snow cover on all bushes and the ground. I surveyed the lake
edge and found no ode activity at all. No frosty meadowhawks. At least this
season, it looks like there will be no flight activity in November at Kelly
Lake.
November 1, 2003
Solano County
Ed Whisler
[At} about 11:00am, I saw about 5 common green darners foraging around
interior Live Oaks along the south side of Lake Solano, in Solano County. There
were several high flying Odes, but I couldn't ID them. Lake Solano is a small
lake behind a diversion dam on Putah Creek, west of Winters. The area is live
oak woodland and grassland in rolling foothills.
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Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Saturday, November 1 - I floated the Klamath River from Chamber's Flat to
Wingate Bar (7 miles, all west of Happy Camp). It was a beautiful day, sunny
with a high in the low 60's or so. Sadly, I did not see any odes at all.
Looking like the ode flight season is coming to a close here in the Klamath
River canyon.
October
October 31, 2003
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Friday, October 31 - I checked the Happy Camp Riverpark pond at 1500 hrs. I
actually saw three male Striped Meadowhawks. Hunting robins quickly
scattered these guys.
October 29, 2003
Sacramento County
Steve Abbott
Was at the end of Payen Rd. in Sacramento County today and had very few odes
flying but I did get a lifer!
Vivid Dancer - 1 m
Common Green Darner - 1 m
Sympetrum spp. 2
Black-fronted Forktail* - 1 m (lifer!)
Later, in Granite Bay, I photographed a female Striped Meadowhawk and a
female Variegated Meadowhawk.
October 28, 2003
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
Today, I spent the late morning/early afternoon at Lake McCumber (UTM Zone 10,
E607375, N4488230, elev. approx. 4100 ft.) in south central Shasta County.
There were lots of odes but, except for one found toward the end of the outing,
all were Striped Meadowhawks or Spotted Spreadwings*. At about 1400
hours, I found one female **Western Meadowhawk, a bit tattered, but
still flying. This seems kind of late for Western Meadowhawk.[it was - KB] I
last saw them at the end of September at this very spot. The Spotted
Spreadwings were plentiful and ovipositing like mad. I got some very good
photos of this activity. Surprisingly, there were relatively few breeding or
ovipositing Striped Meadowhawks.
-------
Plumas and Tehama Counties
Andy Rehn and Greg Kareofelas
Greg Kareofelas and I went to Willow Lake yesterday [Oct. 28], and on the way
out we stopped by Wilson Lake in Tehama county. We got four species of Sympetrum
at Wilson Lake in Tehama County:
**Saffron Meadowhawk S. costiferum [Greg later told me he'd had
these at Wilson Lake also on 12 Sep 2003 but hadn't realized which county the
lake was in - kb]
**White-faced Meadowhawk S. obtrusum
Striped Meadowhawk S. pallipes
-(upgrade of prior sighting only record for Tehama Co.)
Yellow-legged Meadowhawk S. vicinum
-new record for Tehama Co.
Common Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus* [new late flight data by one
day!]
At Willow Lake [Plumas Co.] we got:
**Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta
Shadow Darner A. umbrosa
**Paddle-tailed Darner A. palmata
**Black Meadowhawk S. danae
White-faced Meadowhawk S. obtrusum
Western Meadowhawk S. occidentale
Striped Meadowhawk S. pallipes
Yellow-legged Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum
Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener
October 26, 2003
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
I took some photos at Plum Valley Reservoir of a Spotted Spreadwing
(Lestes congener) with a small fly on its back. The spreadwing left its
perch and returned several times while I was taking the shots, yet the fly
remained. Several males were also seen, netted and examined in hand. Images at Hitchhiker
-------
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
I spent the day at Kelly Lake in the Siskiyou Wilderness. The lake is high
elevation and only a few miles south of the Oregon border. Weather was
outstanding; sunny with temps in the mid 70's. I was there from 1130 till 1600
hrs. There was quite a bit of ode activity. I got good practice trying to net
some bugs. Here is who I saw and/or caught:
California Spreadwing - ~30 males; ~12 tandem pairs; lots of ovipositing
on willows at edge of water. Netted for id.
Lestes sp. - several observed; unable to net
Paddle-tailed Darner - ~50 males; netted about 15 checking id's; 8 tandem
pairs; 3 females observed, 1 caught by hand.
Yellow-legged Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum
- 1 female netted for id. (lifer for me!) The trumpet-shaped vulvar
lamina helped to positive id. 3 males were observed (red faces); but I was
unable to net any. [only 4th county in CA to record this late season flier -
kb]
Striped Meadowhawk - 1 male netted; 4 others observed
On the way to Kelly Lake I checked Indian Creek for odes and salmon. At Puppy
Falls at 1000 hrs I observed 1 male Aeshna sp. patrolling. The
falls are bathed in morning sunlight at this time. No salmon were at the falls.
On the way home I stopped to check Puppy Falls again. The falls were in evening
shadow. The odes were gone and the salmon had appeared. I saw several make leaps,
a couple smack the rocks, and counted eight salmon in the shallows below the
falls.
---
Dave and Kathy Biggs
We stopped along North Shore Rd. (just north of Lake Siskiyou at the Larry
Wehmeyer Environmental Educational Area out of Mt. Shasta City) for a 10-minute
'quickie' look for CA Spreadwings, and didn't find ANY. In fact, ALL we saw was
one Shadow Darner.
October 25, 2003
San Diego County
Doug Aguillard and Bob Parks
Today, at Pine Valley Creek (between Pine Valley and Guatay), I ran into fellow
Bugman/Photographer Bob Parks, who is a wealth of information. He was there for
California Spreadwings, and I was there for Walker's Darners. This is National
Forest Land, so netting is allowed, and after a short time, Bob was able to net
a Spreadwing. We waited much long as the Walker's kept eluding each swing of
the nets. I finally nailed one as it flew pass, only to realize that I had
taken it's head completely off ("There can be only one"-The
Highlander) and both the body and the head were in the net. So I took some pics
of it, and Bob took it for a voucher specimen. After another 20 minutes, I was
able to net another one, and the pics will be up on my web site shortly.
Pine Valley Creek: Common Green Darner (1), Blue-eyed Darner (1), Walker's
Darners (5-6), and California Spreadwings (8).
I then went down to Greenwood Cemetery in San Diego, and added a new species
for the location. 2 Wandering Gliders were over the middle pond, with
other Odes.
Greenwood Cemetery: Common Green Darners (12), Black Saddlebags (8),
Wandering Gliders (2), Pacific Forktail* (1).
-------
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
I floated the Klamath River from Seattle Creek to Gordons Ferry. This is east
of Happy Camp. The float is about 12 miles or so. It was beautiful; sunny in the
mid 70's; falls colors at their peak; and salmon in the river. I did see some
odes.
California Spreadwing - 1 pair in tandem. They almost landed on my
paddle.
Aeshna sp. - ~25 males patrolling mostly along rock walls in Cade
Canyon. Could not get close enough for id on these guys.
Flame Skimmer - 3 males patrolling over eddies covered with floating
vegetation.
October 23, 2003
San Mateo County
Alvaro Jaramillo
Ran some errands today, including a visit to Yerba Buena nurseries. Given that
I was so close I headed over to Alpine Pond and saw two Lewis's Woodpeckers
still there. Dragonfly and Damselfly diversity is on the way down to 0 now, but
there were several California Spreadwings (Archilestes californica) which
is a good one for the county. There was a Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum
pallipes) around, as well as a Vivid Dancer* (Argia vivida*) .
Few butterflies, nothing really exciting.
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Sonoma County
Kathy and Dave Biggs
Saw a Wandering Glider at the intersection of Todd & Santa Rosa Ave.
in Santa Rosa today. First dragonfly seen since Monday. They are really
thinning out quickly.
October 19, 2003
Los Angeles County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
We stopped at Piru Creek (along I-5, just south of Pyramid Lake) for about 20
mins. in hopes of seeing Serpent Ringtails, but no luck. Seen were
Flame Skimmer -- 2-3
Skimmer sp -- 2-3 seen as silhouettes up in the tree tops, Variegated in
shape
Dancer sp -- 1 large one with smoky wings was probably a Sooty
Dancer sp -- 1 blue and black colored one of the Vivid/CA/Aztec type
-------
Alameda County
Anthony Fisher
Lake Aliso
I netted a female Aeshna walkeri (Walker's Darner) that Kathy Biggs
wanted. [I'd never seen a female of this species up close AND it was a county
record! - kb]
Sympetrum pallipes (Striped Meadowhawk) - one male collected
as county voucher, updates sighting only record made earlier
-------
San Diego County
Lynn Monroe
Paroli Homestead
Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum) - photographed
October 18/19, 2003
Imperial County
Bob Miller
The Brawley site had only a few Common Green Darner, Blue-eyed Darner, Blue
Dasher, Roseate Skimmer and Rambur's Forktail*.
The Imperial Site had the same in larger numbers with the addition of Black
Saddlebags, Variegated Meadowhawks and a few Wandering Gliders. Most
impressive was the numbers of Rambur's Forktail. Blue Dasher seem to be
at the end of their season and was not able to find any Western Pondhawk
although the Biggs' and I had some this past Friday in a large drain canal.
-------
Monterey County
Dustin Huntington
We stopped by the pond near Fisherman's Wharf [Monterrey ]and found Ischnura
cervula. I know that is not a big deal if you live in California, but
it was a first for me. They occur in NM, but are fairly rare. It was the one
remaining NM Ischnura that I did not have photos on. I particularly
wanted to be able to compare it with I damula in the upcoming damselfly
video. There was also an argia seen briefly. I got a quick photo,
but have not identified it yet. I really need to get out to California during
the summer sometime.
October 17, 2003
Siskiyou County
David Payne
I checked the pond at the Happy Camp River Park. Time was 1630 hrs. It was
sunny with temps in the low 80's. I saw:
Striped Meadowhawk - 5 males perched in grass
Aeshna sp - 1 male patrolling pond edge
I also watched a muskrat feeding on aquatic veg. The pond has shrunk to less
than a tenth of an acre in size. Mallards, western pond turtles, and numerous
bullfrogs still find refuge there.
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Imperial County
Bob Miller, Kathy & Dave Biggs
Near the Ruddy Ground Dove site near Calipatria -
Roseatte Skimmer - abundant, a male and female collected for scanning
for the website
At canals near the intersection of Brant & Baughman Rds.
Familiar Bluet - some
Desert Forktail - some
Rambur's Forktail - some
Common Green Darner - several
Blue-eyed Darner - one seen
Western Pondhawk - ~4
Variegated Meadowhawk - several
Black Saddlebags - one
At Ramer Lake:
Blue Dasher - one male seen
Kathy & Dave Biggs (alone)
Bob Miller had mentioned a spot to check along our route to Orange Co.:
Poe Rd. off Highway 78, at a canal near the end of the road:
Forktail sp. - a few
Common Green Darner - a few
Wandering Glider - several
Roseatte Skimmers - many
Variegated Meadowhawk - several
Also seen there was an American Bittern
October 16, 2003
Imperial County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Bob Miller had advised us of a stop or two to make along the route from
Redlands to Calipatria along Highway 111:
In the Bombay Beach area along the Salton Sea there were two little
creeks/ditches along the highway with water in them:
Road marker 55.5:
Desert Forktail - several (possibly a Rambur's seen also)
Common Green Darner - several
Variegated Meadowhawk - several
Black Saddlebags - one
About 1/2 mile north of the previous spot:
Desert Forktail - several (possibly Rambur's seen also)
Dancer sp. - one male seen, of the CA/Aztec type
Common Green Darner - several
Roseatte Skimmer - one male, the first time we've seen this species in
CA
Variegated Meadowhawk - several
---
Bob Miller, Kathy & Dave Biggs
[We] spent the afternoon together on a mid Oct scorcher! 104 is better than 114
but...... Lots of bugs still flying in the Imperial Valley. Best bugs of the day
were a female Brimstone Clubtail and a female Gray Sanddragon! They were found
along the East Highline Canal from about Sinclair to Montgomery Roads along the
NE edge of Imperial Valley.
Dragonflies seen:
American Rubyspot - a few
Blue-ringed Dancer* - abundant
Familiar Bluet - some along the Highline Canal
Desert Forktail - quite a few
Powdered Dancer - several; both color forms of the female & a male
collected to scan for the website (Bob caught the male with his bare fingers!)
**White-belted Ringtail - many, new late date flight data (by only 3
days however!)
**Gray Sanddragon - a female netted, photoed and released at the far end
of Sinclair Rd. - a lifer for Bob & new late flight data by apparently 2
months!!
**Brimstone Clubtail - a female collected to scan for the website at the
far end of Sinclair Rd., and a lifer for the Biggs & also new late flight
data by apparently 2 months!!
Common Green Darner - several
Roseate Skimmer - common
Black Saddlebags - only a few sighted
Variegated Meadowhawk - quite a few, inc. ovipositing pairs
Wandering Glider - several at the far end of Sinclair Rd.
----
Lynn & Gene Monroe
New River Wetlands Project
*Mexican Amberwing (Perithemis intensa)** - photographed
Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum) - photographed
October 15, 2003
Shasta County
Ray Bruun and Bruce Deuel
Ray Bruun and I had both California and Spotted spreadwings at the
Redding Arboretum. The former was a 1st for me, and the latter was my 1st in Shasta
Co. Ray had found both here last year.
-------
San Diego County
Lynn & Gene Monroe
Hellhoe Canyon
Red-veined meadowhawk (Sympetrum madidum)** - photographed
October 14, 2003
San Diego County
Richard Bledsoe
the season is winding down but there are still odes to be found.
pine creek trail head, pine valley,ca.
california spreadwings
walker's darner
lots of calif. spreadwings at this location ovipositing in the willows
overhanging the creek which still has running water. i thought there might be
great spreadwings here but no luck.
cuyamaca state park, sweetwater river at hy 79
walker's darner
cardinal meadowhawk
i note that green valley falls campground is closed due to lack of water in the
river so was unable to visit this great spot for odes.
-------
Sonoma County
Alan Wight
I drove out to the CopelandCreek bridge at lunch today and saw two male Great
Spreadwings. This was a lifer for me.
October 13, 2003
Siskiyou County
David Payne
I was working on the waterline in my yard. It was sunny, mid 70's. I was
visited by:
California Spreadwing - two pairs flying about the yard
Striped Meadowhawk - 2 males perched in grass
October 12, 2003
Siskiyou County
David Payne
The airways are starting to clear of odes, despite the fine fall weather. The
following ... sightings from the last week or so in western Siskiyou County in
the vicinity of Happy Camp.
I floated the Klamath River from Independence Bridge to Coon Creek River
Access. Weather was partly cloudy, temps in mid 70's. Fall colors and salmon in
the river made up for the lack of odes. I saw:
American Rubyspot - pair in tandem perched and flying about edge of the
river. These were first rubyspot I have seen in over a month.
Aeshna sp - 3 individuals flying about. They were backlit by the
sun and I was unable to id.
Sighting of the day was a close-up view (fifteen feet) of a river otter family
of three frolicking on a sand bench. They were behind a thin willow curtain.
Also had nice views of a mink hunting the river's edge.
October 11, 2003
San Diego County
Richard Bledstone
santee lakes, santee, ca.
tule bluet*
**mexican amberwings - new late season flight data
common green darner
familiar bluet
pacific forktail
variegated meadowhawk
black saddlebags
red-tailed pennant
i was surprised to see a pacific forktail grab the head of a familiar
bluet which was tandem ovipositing with a female. the forktail then
attacked the bluets while gripping the male. i guess it was a territory thing.
October 8, 2003
Sonoma County
David Hoffmann and Kathy Biggs
Today David and I went up Lichau Rd. out of Cotati, stopping quickly at the
Copeland Creek Bridge (where my husband Dave and I went on Sunday) where we
quickly saw a male and female Great Spreadwing (I had only accessed the site in
the late afternoon before and wanted to see if they were there in the AM too).
Then we drove up to the Fairfield Osborn Preserve (access by reservation only)
where I've been conducting a dragonfly census to see if we could find Great Spreadwings
flying there. Just two yrs ago we found CA Spreadwings on the Preserve.
Our report follows:
Great Spreadwing, Archilestes grandis -- 9-11 seen. A male netted
at Courtship Creek, to get a positive ID, and then released so we could watch
its behavior.
Spotted Spreadwing, Lestes congener -- 3 seen, 1 m, 2 f. One of
the females was seen at the same pond along Courtship Creek as the male CA
Spreadwing. The other 2 were along the trail far from water.
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida -- many seen along the trails. One
very bright female netted was male-colored and VERY vivid indeed!
Common Green Darner, Anax junius -- widely scattered, only 1-2
seen over any one sunny meadow.
Aeshna sp., Mosaic Darner -- one seen, with blue eyes
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum -- a couple seen, inc.
one female
Cardinal Meadowhawk, S. illotum -- 2 males seen. One did a quick
fly-by at the ponded part of Courtship Creek where the spreadwings were (and
where we've seen Grappletails & Spiketails at earlier dates)
Striped Meadowhawk, S. pallipes -- ~6 seen, those seen well were
all males.
About the Great Spreadwings:
There were at least two interesting behaviors we noted:
One was that they were ovipositing into the branches of a Bay tree when I'd
understood that they oviposit into Willow and Alders. The other was that we
never saw them mate! We'd see a male grab a female, they'd fly to a low branch
over the water and the female would just hang from the male, not grasp the twig
he was on nor grab him. Then, several seconds later, they'd fly up to the Bay
tree. There the male would perch first, then bend his abdomen at a sharp angle.
It looked as though he was trying to induce ovipositing from the female. And
usually, after that, she'd then bend her abdomen and begin ovipositing.
They were very well camouflaged and we didn't see the 2nd pair that was in the
same bay tree until the 1st pair landed next to them. We also didn't notice the
3rd pair which were directly in front of me where I was sitting just 3 ft away!
Also interesting was the timing of this whole event:
We had stopped down at Copeland Ck. @ Lichau Rd. at ~9:30 AM. The fog had just
lifted. There we saw a male and a female (I caught the female to bring home to
scan, forgetting that I already had a good scan of one from this site 2 yrs
ago). No interaction between the sexes seen.
Then, on the Preserve which is nearer the top of the hills, we saw our first
Stream Spreadwing, a female, about at 10:15, in a sunny glade far from water.
She was not seen well enuf to ID to species.
At ~10:30 we arrived at Courtship Creek (which I had previously erroneously
thought was Copeland Creek; it is rather a contributory). There we saw the lone
male and caught him for ID and released him.
For the next hour we walked along the creek and up to the lower (duckweed
covered) pond. There we again saw a lone female Stream Spreadwing. She flew
off. We circled the pond and David thought we ought to go back to see if she
had returned, and she had. I'm still not certain of her ID although I did get
her into view in the binnocs. She had a pale tan abdomen top and what I *think*
was a complete side stripe on her thorax, but I'm not certain. She flew away
again.
So, David and I went back to where we caught & released the male. And there
he was still. We sat and ate lunch there (well I ate, David didn't!) and
watched the ponded water of the creek for a good 1/2 hr from ~12:00 - 12:30. He
was there the whole time and might have interacted once with another male but
we couldn't be certain. I was very disappointed that we weren't seeing females,
etc.
Then we spent the next 1/2 hr or less walking along the creek again. I was
trying to find willows or alders overhanging the creek where we might find
ovipositing pairs. No luck. So since our return took us within just a few yards
from the site where we'd seen the lone male twice, I told David I wanted to
peek into it once more. Just as I looked in, I saw the male grab a female. So I
called David over and we again sat down, just across the creek from where we'd
eaten lunch. And now that's when all the activity started; at ~1 PM! By 1:30
the pairs were starting to break up and disperse, and we did the same. The
maximum we saw there were 4 prs and a poor, surely disgusted, lone male who
kept trying to break in on the tandems before they began ovipositing.
But it was interesting that the females never chose to mate with the males, and
neither did they come in and try to oviposit on their own. The males seemed to
attempt to induce mating by jerking their abdomens, but the females would just
hang like dead weights from them until the male took her to the bay tree! It'd
be interesting to spend more time with this species!
Again the one fuzzy pix I have posted (I took a few other equally fuzzy pix and
ones of the habitat): http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/Pond/Lists/argrd3pr.jpg
Hope you can find some in your area soon. They will possibly fly thru January.
October 7, 2003
Contra Costa County
Doug Vaughan
On my last trek of the season to Mt. Diablo State Park yesterday, I found the
following at Pine Pond:
California Spreadwing (Archilestes californica) -- one male
collected
Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener) -- one male collected
Common Spreadwing (L. disjunctus) -- one well seen; a few other
Lestes sp. were not identified to species
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) -- a few
Striped Meadowhawk (S. pallipes) -- one pair in wheel
Not an impressive list, nor an impressive number of individuals, perhaps
because I didn't fight through the thick border of cattails to the wet center
of the pond, which still held some water. The very wet, boot-sucking mud was a
deterrent. I was happy to find any spreadwings at all around the dry perimeter
of the cattails.
Interesting to me (and paralleling Chris Heaivilin's findings last year) was
the Spotted Spreadwing, well within its flight season but after seeing none of
this species all summer.
October 5, 2003
Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Cotati - Lichau Rd. where it crosses Copeland Creek (just to the north of the
roadway in the dry grass/thistle filled field):
Great Spreadwing, Archilestes grandis -- at least 4 males and 6
females; both sexes photographed
Common Green Darner, Anax junius -- at least two, one being a
male colored female, and the other a very teneral male; both photographed
Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum -- one male (first time we
ever saw one at this site, usually we see Striped or Variegated Meadowhawks!)
Some of the male spreadwings' eyes were still brown, others were a bit blue and
at least one male had the characteristic beautiful bright blue eyes. I assume
the eye color is a function of maturity. All the males had the most gorgeous
metallic emerald green abdomens with the rings between the segments being
golden. Some even showed a little green crescent topping the long straight
thoracic side stripe. They were the loveliest marked of this species that we've
ever seen and I hope Dave's photos turn out well!
None of the males and females were interacting with each other. This is the 5th
year we've seen them at this site, and they never are ovipositing when we see
them. Then we saw one female that appeared esp. 'swollen' at the abdomen tip,
and as I noticed this and Dave commented, "Gee, she sure looks clubbed!"
she bent her abdomen and apparently oviposited into a willow bud - but this
tree was quite a way from the creek edge and I don't think this egg stands a
chance. We assume she needed to unload that egg!
This site has both willow and alders lining the creek which is still flowing at
this area, although it is dry just a mile or less down stream. If anyone nearby
in the Bay Area would like to see this species, I'd be glad to lead them there!
Also seen in our backyard in Sebastopol:
Shadow Darner, Aeshna umbrosa -- one male posed nicely for
photographs in the Rose mallow after checking out the pond for any lurking
females
Common Green Darner, Anax junius -- one or more females came in
to oviposit into the stems of the Creeping Water Primrose (Ludwigia)
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum -- one or more pairs
tandem ovipositing. (we haven't seen any Cardinal Meadowhawks on the pond for a
few days now)
Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula -- a few males still on the
pond
-------
Sacramento County
Steve Abbott
At Reichmuth Park in Sacramento County :
Striped Meadowhawk - one mature female
Also present in the wooded "pond" at the park were 4 Pacific
Forktails.
October 3, 2003
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Happy Camp River Park pond (riverfront in Happy Camp). Time was around 1530 to
1630. Weather was partly cloudy, winds calm, temps in low 80's. The western end
of the pond has completely dried up in the last ten days. A firm mudflat with
thousands of animal tracks remains. I saw:
California Spreadwing - 4 males perched on willow and blackberry. Also 2
pairs in tandem.
Emerald/Black Spreadwing?? - 1 female (netted for id). No spots,
ovipositor longer than segment 7. Low elevation (1,000') Very difficult to id!!
Paddle-tailed Darner - 1 male (netted for id). Sadly, I broke his neck
while netting. Almost severed his head. This is the first Aeshna that I have
been able to net. Guess I have a great specimen now.
Aeshna sp. - 3 males patrolling mudflats. Looked like the fellow
I netted (paddle-tailed darner).
Striped Meadowhawk - ~25 males perched on ground. 2 pairs in tandem. 1
pair ovipositing on grass next to dirt track. (netted a bunch for id).
October 2, 2003
Sonoma County
Rod Miller
Rod saw a Red Rock Skimmer along Geysers Rd. out of Healdsburg today.
October 1, 2003
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Enallagma civile - 2 males, 1 female, she was hanging on a wild
grape vine over the water, feeding off some small water striders as they jumped
out of the water a few inches.
September
Sept 30, 2003
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Pachydiplax longipennis - 1 male
-------
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
China Point River Access (6 miles east of Happy Camp). Time was around 1530. It
was clear, calm with temps in mid 80's. I saw:
Vivid Dancer - 4 males and 1 tandem pair
Aeshna sp. -1 male patrolling river's edge
Sept 29, 2003
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Enallagma civile - 1 male
Sept 28, 2003
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Pachydiplax longipennis- 1 male
September 27, 2003
San Diego County
Douglas Aguillard & Craig Reiser
Borrego Palm Canyon, Anza Borrego State Park, San Diego County.
We headed for Borrego Palm Canyon. The creek is full of running water as it
rained heavily during the summer, and the fires up in the Mountains have left
no ground cover. We immediately started to see Red Rock Skimmers, and
the occasional Variegated Meadowhawks, when we both suddenly saw a
strange looking Darner patrolling high above us and the creek. It was
eventually joined by two (2) others. Its description [fits] Paddle-tailed
Darners (Aeshna palmata ..... We asked for Permission to net one of
these bugs, but Park Staff refused us. I could not take a picture, as they
would not land from the patrols of the creekbed.
Here's our list for today from the State Park.
Spreadwing (sp?)
California Dancer*
Familiar Bluets
Rambur's Forktail (3rd County record)
Common Green Darners
Darners (3) possibly Paddle-tailed which would be county records
White-belted Ringtail
Variegated Meadowhawks
Blue Dasher
Flame Skimmers
Neon Skimmer
Red Rock Skimmers
Black Saddlebags
Red Saddlebags*
Wandering Glider
-------
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
Today I took a short (1.2 miles by foot) but fruitful trip to Crumbaugh Lake in
Lassen Park (elevation 7204 ft MSL; zone 10, 628195E, 4478290N, datum NAD 27).
The lake has excellent ode habitat (lots of emergent vegetation). The variety
of odes still there surprised me. @ = photo taken
Common Spreadwing - common
Northern/Boreal Bluet - 1 pair in wheel
Variable Darner - 1 pair in wheel (Aeshna darners were common)
Shadow Darner - 1 landed on weed (Aeshna darners were common)
American Emerald - 1, saw about 5 more emeralds
Hudsonian Whiteface - 2 males
Black Meadowhawk - 1 male
White-faced Meadowhawk @ (possible) - 1, took photo; still haven't
figured this one out for sure
Western Meadowhawk - 1 female
Chalk-fronted Corporal - 1 (not positive on this one, since it was but a
quick look before it flew off; but I think that's what it was)
-------
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Chambers Flat River Access (2 mi west of Happy Camp). Time was around 1645 hrs.
It was sunny, calm and hot (low 90's). I saw:
California Spreadwing - I pair in wheel. Female grasped his 5th &
6th segments with her legs to form a "supported heart". Watched them
oviposit on willow and also attempt to oviposit on blackberry.
Sept 26, 2003
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Pachydiplax longipennis- 3 males, 1 pair in tandem
Sept 24, 2003
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Pachydiplax longipennis- 2 pairs in tandem, male in lead; 3 males
September 22, 2003
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Here are some observations from two stops along the Klamath river about 17 and
18 miles west of Happy Camp.
First stop is Wyman Gulch, a roadside rest with a waterfall, pool, and
channelized outlet creek to the culvert under the highway. Time was about 1600
hrs. Weather was clear, hot, high 80's with calm winds. I saw:
Blue-eyed Darner - 1 male patrolling
Pacific Spiketail - 1 male patrolling
Second stop was Coon Creek River Access about 18 miles west of Happy Camp. Time
was 1610 hrs. Weather was same as above. Some breeze was starting to pick up
along the river. I saw:
California Spreadwing - 1 male (netted for id)
Lestes sp. - 3 males in grass and willows (unable to net for id)
Bluet sp. - ~ 15 males; 1 pair ovipositing
Pacific Forktail - 1 pair in tandem (netted for id and released)
Aeshna sp. - 1 male patrolling
Western Pondhawk - 4 males; 1 female ovipositing. A bullfrog jumped out
of the water in an attempt to catch this female. It missed.
Widow Skimmer - 3 males patrolling
skimmer exuvia - One very large and quite fresh attached to tall grass.
My guess is Widow Skimmer or possible Flame Skimmer as these are the last
skimmer species seen flying in the area. I collected it.
Third stop was back at Wyman Gulch. Time was 1730 hrs. Still sunny over outlet
creek but shady over falls and pool. I saw:
Spreadwing sp. - 1 female (netted for id - a Black/Emerald type)
Vivid Dancer - 2 males
Blue-eyed Darner - 1 male patrolling
Pacific Spiketail - 1 male (netted for id) Stunning eyes!
September 21, 2003
Colusa County
Greg Kareofelas
"Goat Mountain" area, Mill Creek Drainage - UTM 10 524986E 4351427N
Aeshna palmata and Aeshna umbrosa (Paddle- tailed and Shadow Darners)
September 20, 2003
Shasta County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
We stopped at Fall River Lake, a dammed portion of the Fall River, near the
town of the same name. There we saw:
Spotted Spreadwing - 3-4 (in hand ID)
Western Forktail* - - many
Pacific Forktail- - many
Tule Bluet- - some
Common Green Darner- - 2
Blue-eyed Darner- - 3-4
Darner sp. - - (most likely Shadow Darners, but none netted) - 4-5
Western Pondhawk- - 1 female (or immature male) seen flitting across the
narrow lake
Black Saddlebags- - 2-3
Striped Meadowhawk - - one red female seen and photographed
'bird-of-the-day' was a Virginia Rail seen well
--------
San Diego County
Doug Aguillard
It is seemly strange Odes can just disappear from a site when the calendar
dates change. During the mid summer months, Doane Pond is covered with at least
12 species of Odes, where as on Saturday, I was happy or lucky to see only a
few. The weather conditions were perfect. Sunny, slight breeze in the 80's.
Common Green Darner, 1
Cardinal Meadowhawk, 3
Darner sp, 3
Flame Skimmer, 1
Pacific Forktails, 4
Familiar Bluets, 6
California Spreadwing, 1
--------
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Today, 9/20/03 I stayed home. I noticed some ode activity on my lawn. This was
taking place around a pine tree in the yard. It was about 1550 hrs, sunny, mid
80's, and calm winds. I noticed this same activity last season and never got
around to reporting it. Here is what I saw:
California Spreadwing - - pair in tandem landed on small madrone tree.
Spotted Spreadwing - - 1 male perched on pine needles (netted for id)
Striped Meadowhawk - - 1 pair ovipositing in the grass. A pair
oviposited in this same spot last season. Female was dabbing abdomen into the grass.
Guess they were ovipositing? 2- males in general area, one netted for id.
While posting this report I had three "legal" forked horn bucks
wander past the door. Today is opening day of rifle deer season around here.
These guys were hiding out, just like me!
-------
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Libellula saturata - 3 males
Pachydiplax longipennis -1 male
Ischnura perparva (netted) - 1 male, forked paraprocts from side
Mosaic Darner
-------
Imperial County
Bob Miller
A female Marl Pennant* [last time seen in 03]was on the West shore of
the Salton Sea a few miles South of Salton City. Literally on the shore, a few
feet from the waters edge! The first and only Marl Pennants I had ever
Identified or seen till that date were seen near this spot about two years ago!
I have seen them in Arizona with Henry shortly after this one though. The spot
is hard to get to and probably should require 4x4 but I have always expected to
find them in similar locations around the sea.
September 19, 2003
Siskiyou County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
We stopped by at Larry Wehmeyer Environmental Educational Area out of Mt.
Shasta City where we had stopped just two weeks ago when Bob Behrstock was with
us. At that time we had hoped to find Archilestes californicum out, but
didn't. This time we did see 3-4 in the willows alongside the Northshore Rd.
(to Lake Siskiyou) and I collected one male to upgrade the county record from a
sighting only to a specimen. It's interesting now to note that Dave Payne also
started seeing this species at about just about the same day on the Klamath
River! Seen at the Environmental Area:
Western Forktail - - 1 male found in net when I went to clean the
debrisout of it!
Shadow Darner- - 6 males (in-hand ID)
Meadowhawk sp. - - 1 red colored one seen at a distance
CA Spreadwing Archilestes californicum
- 1-3 males and 1-2 females seen, one male collected
Then we drove the 8 miles up to Castle Lake. This is a deep natural lake, on
the north side of Castle Crags, with the end of the lake nearest the crags
having huge boulders with a small darlingtonia seep. We've always hoped
to find Petaltails there, but haven't yet (this was a bit too late in the
season also!). The lake and our paddle there was absolutely gorgeous and
serene, but only 3 species of Odonata were seen:
Shadow Darner - abundant, one every 50 ft. or so patrolling the
shoreline. A few caught for in-hand IDs. Only 2-3 pairs in wheel seen... one
female seen was hiding out in the middle of the lake!
Blue-eyed Darner - 2-3 males seen, also patrolling the shoreline and
interacting with the Shadow Darners.
Bluet sp. - Northern/Boreal type (too difficult to net from a kayak)
However, the 'bird-of-the-day' was finding a River Otter watching us! I was
surprised to find one in the LAKE (no river nearby at all!). Besides our spying
on each other, we also noted 2 places where it had climbed out on a small rock
jutting out of the lake to eat a fish. There was also an 'aggregation' of ~ 12+
Lewis's Woodpeckers, acting ever so much like crows, except they were quiet!
But note how few species we saw there compared to what Dave Payne was seeing
along the Klamath!
---
Dave Payne
I stayed overnight in Medford and returned to Happy Camp on 9/19/03. Back in
Siskiyou County I stopped at several places on the way down the Klamath River.
First stop was once again Cayuse River Access. It was 1445 hrs. The weather was
sunny, temps in mid 80's, and the wind was calm. I saw a wood duck, and 2
western pond turtles in the pond. I also saw a few odes. I saw:
California Spreadwing- - 1 male (netted for id)
Vivid Dancer- - 1 male
Western Forktail- - 1 male perched; 1 female perched
Aeshna sp. - - 1 male patrolling
Western Pondhawk - - 1 female ovipositing
Flame Skimmer- - 5 males patrolling
San Francisco County
Paul Saraceni
A few months ago I speculated (I think while talking with Eric) that the
San Francisco Zoo might be a good
place to look for odes. Today we were there on a family outing
and, while I didn't much unencumbered time to look, there were a couple of spots that were loaded with activity: the lake/marsh with pelicans near the wallaby pen on the north side; and the pond with the Bald Eagles on the island. Species observed included: >
Tule/Arroyo-type Bluet 3 m.
Com. Green Darner 5+
Blue-eyed Darner 10+
Variegated Meadowhawk 10+ (incl. tandem pair at Bald Eagle pond)
Cardinal Meadowhawk 2
Flame Skimmer 1
BLUE DASHER 2 m. (Bald Eagle pond)
Black Saddlebags 5+ (incl. tandem pair at Bald Eagle pond)
In the past couple of weeks, I've observed numerous Com. Green Darners,
Blue-eyed Darners, Variegated Meadowhawks, and Black Saddlebags all over
the City, often well away from water. I observed a Wandering Glider perched
at Ft. Miley on 9/5 and another at Mt. Davidson on 9/18. The female Tule/Arroyo-type
Bluet that Eric and I observed on 9/11 in the understory of the eucalyptus
forest at Mt. Davidson was quite surprising.
-------
Riverside County
Sam Stewart
I photographed a roseatte skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) in the
City of La Quinta in the Coachella valley.
-------
Sept 19, 2003
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Libellula saturata - 3 males
Pachydiplax longipennis - 3 males
Mosaic Darner
September 18, 2003
Colusa County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
We stopped by Bear Creek in Colusa Co. where Hwy 20 crosses it, just look
enough to look out over the water from the dirt road. We were there from only
about 5:45 - 6:00 pm. Our report.
No Giant Darners at all (also none seen yesterday when we stopped by at 4:00 pm
for only 5 mins)
No Flame Skimmers at all (also none seen yesterday when we stopped by at 4:00
pm for only 5 mins) (both Giant Darners and Flame Skimmers were abundant there
June - August)
Common Green Darners-- ~50 (these were scarce while the Giants were
flying).
Black Saddlebags --3 - 4
Variegated Meadowhawk-- ~25
Am. Rubyspot-- 12+
Dancer sp. --1 (not a Vivid, and probably an Emma's or CA/Aztec)
-------
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
I traveled to Medford, Oregon on 9/18/03. I did some stops along the way. First
stop was at Cayuse River Access along the Klamath River. It was at 1045 am.
Weather was clear, temps in mid 60's, and winds calm. Not much ode activity. Did
see a wood duck and kingfisher. It seems winds have blown most floating veg to
the shady end of the pond. I saw:
Vivid Dancer- - 2 males
-------
Alameda County
Anthony Fisher
Lake Aliso, Mills College, Oakland, Alameda Co.
Lestes disjunctus ---lots
Archilestes californica -----several
Enallagma praevarum* ----many
Ischnura cervula ----many
Argia vivida -----many
Sympetrum illotum -------~5
Sympetrum pallipes (Striped Meadowhawk) ---------------- ~10
S. corruptum --------------~3
Libellula saturata ---------~5
Anax junius -----------------2
Aeshna multicolor ---------3
A. palmata -------------------- male + teneral female
A. unknown -------------------a dark, drab male that doesn't seem
to have ventral blue spots.
-------
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Libellula saturata - 4 males
Pachydiplax longipennis - 5 males
Mosaic Darner, could see the pattern
September 17, 2003
San Diego County
Richard Bledsoe
Mast Park, Santee
common green darner
black saddlebags
pacific forktail
blue dasher
mexican amberwings
western pond hawk
flame skimmer
blue-eyed darner
-------
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Libellula saturata - 3 males
Pachydiplax longipennis - 4 males
September 15-22, 2003
Santa Barbara County
Nick Lethaby
... I was out on Santa Barbara Island this week, which is 41 miles off shore
with no water. There were quite a few Wandering Gliders and at least a
couple of Black Saddlebags.
September 16, 2003
San Diego County
Richard Bledsoe
Mission Dam, Santee
blue-eyed darner
flame skimmer
pacific forktail
black saddlebags
familiar bluet
black-fronted forktail
blue dasher
-------
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Pachydiplax longipennis- 5 males
Libellula saturata - 2 males
Darner - possible blue eyed
Damselfly on the back of a basking Western Pond Turtle
September 15, 2003
San Diego County
Doug Aguillard
... San Diego River at the Mission Gorge Regional Park. Today, the water was
not flowing and dried up. Here's what I did see!
Common Green Darners, Blue-eyed Darners, Flame Skimmer, Cardinal Meadowhawk,
Blue Dashers, a Black Saddlebag & Pacific Forktails.
At Lindo Lake in Lakeside, I had Variegated Meadowhawks, Common Green
Darners, Blue-eyed Darners, and a Blue Dasher.
At Greenwood Cemetery, there was LOTS of Black Saddlebags, Common Green
Darner, Blue Dashers, a Red Saddlebag, and Pacific Forktails.
-------
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Enallagma civile (netted) - 1 male, examined cerci. It had the
white at tip of fanshaped cerci. It was larger and had more blue all over so we
ID'd it as Familiar and not Tule but according to Tim there are hybrids between
Familiar and Tule Bluets!
Pachydiplax longipennis (netted) - 5 males - large ones, it had
white face. We are seeing large and small sized Dashers.
September 13, 2003
Tehama County
Bruce Deuel
#... Black Butte Reservoir, Tehama Co., about 0900 with a strong north wind.
Every ridge top in the Buckhorn Recreation Area portion of this reservoir had
"flocks" of Black Saddlebags, just hanging in the wind. I see
lots of saddlebags in many places at this time of the year, but this is the
first time I've seen them actually massed together like Anax. Driving to
the lake via Black Butte Road, in dry grassland, I passed through hundreds of Variegated
Meadowhawks. As I passed a walnut orchard I also noticed several Pale-faced
Clubskimmers in the mix.
-------
Santa Cruz/San Mateo Counties
Alvaro Jaramillo
# This last Saturday I was out on a pelagic trip off Santa Cruz. Unusual was
the weather as it was clear and cloudless from sunrise, and there had been a
slight east breeze the last day or so keeping the fog bank offshore. Variegated
Meadowhawks (Sympetrum corruptum) had gotten caught up in this east
breeze during their southbound migration and were out over the ocean! I saw
perhaps 30 individuals, each flying directly towards the shore. The farthest
one out was at nearly 7 nautical miles from shore (I have a GPS). During at
least two of the real migration 'swarm' days I have seen in San Mateo county I
saw Variegated Meadowhawks flying in off the ocean in the early morning.
Again these were days with east winds. This is not all that unusual, but what
is unusual to me is that it suggests that the Meadowhawks may be flying south
at night! How else can you get 7 miles out only an hour or two after sunrise,
or have masses coming off the ocean in the early morning?
-------
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Libellula saturata- 4 males
Pachydiplax longipennis- 5 males
Aeshna multicolor- 1 female
-------
Alameda County
Anthony Fisher
# I had the pleasure of experiencing a migratory swarm of more than 300 Anax
junius today at Crown Beach, Alameda, Alameda Co. After the swarm had
dispersed, I walked to the park pond and found that many darners had settled on
the shady side of a clump of willows. Several Wandering Gliders (Pantala
flavescens) were roosting here also (mixed flock?). Also present at the
pond today were ~15 Variegated Meadowhawks (Sympetrum corruptum) and
many Enallagma civile and E. carunculatum.
I collected Pantala flavescens (Wandering Glider) to upgrade the Ala Co
record. Also, I've been examining a pond in Oakland with Sympetrum pallipes (Striped Meadowhawk) and
a paddle-tailed type darner I think was A. umbrosa. I'll try for
specimens.
September 10, 2003
San Diego County
Richard Bledsoe
Green Valley Falls
walker's darner
blue-eyed darner
cardinal meadowhawk
vivid dancer
northern bluet*
california spreadwing
-------
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Pachydiplax longipennis- 5 males; a pair in tandem
September 9, 2003
San Diego County
Richard Bledsoe
Kit Carson Park
arroyo bluet
tule bluet
familiar bluet
mexican amberwing
blue dasher
flame skimmer
common green darner
desert firetail*
black-fronted forktail
black saddlebags
pacific forktail
Oak Hill Cemetary
familiar bluet
tule bluet
black fronted forktail
black saddlebags
flame skimmer
red-tailed pennant
common green darner
-------
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Libellula saturata- 1 female - I happened to be lying in the
grass watching a young beaver and this Skimmer flew in and began laying eggs
within 5 ft of me in the water. Her body was at a 90 degree angle to wings, the
tip was curled in a hook toward her head. She dipped the "hook" into
the water pulling forward dozens of times; 3 males
September 8, 2003
Sonoma County
Mary Abbott & Kathy Biggs
At Mary's backyard pond, ~2 miles up Bloomfield Rd in Sebastopol
# Common Green Darner - 6 emerged from her pond overnite. The two who
were still remaining were both females. Perhaps these are the migrant
population? Her pond is just under 2 yrs old.
-------
San Joaquin County
Kathy Crump
Stockton, along Five Mile Creek
Pachydiplax longipennis- 5 males
Libellulla saturata- 3 males
September 7, 2003
San Diego County
Richard Bledsoe
Tijuana River Valley
common green darner
blue-eyed darner
black saddlebags
cardinal meadowhawk
blue dasher
varigated meadowhawk
pacific forktail
western forktail
September 6/7, 2003
Sierra County
Doug Vaughan & Doris Kretschmer
My wife and I returned yesterday from two nights' camping in Lakes Basin, in
southern Plumas County. Despite unsettled and mostly ode-unfriendly weather, we
compiled a short list for adjacent Sierra County that included three apparent
first county records, one an exciting surprise.
Sierra remains an underrepresented county, with (by my count) at least a dozen
"missing" species -- species reported for both Plumas County to the
north and Nevada County to the south.
What we saw:
Common Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus) -- locally abundant at the
higher-elevation sites
Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida)
Northern Bluet (Enallagma cyathigerum)
Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva) -- one female
Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- abundant along the N. Yuba
River, at lower elevations
Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta) -- two examined in hand
Blue-eyed Darner (A. multicolor) -- none captured, but several
mosaic darners appeared to be this species
Shadow Darner (A. umbrosa) --
one male collected near Sand Pond (elevation about 5700'); first record for
Sierra County
White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum) -- locally abundant
Western Meadowhawk (S. occidentale) -- a few
Striped Meadowhawk (S. pallipes) -- one or two
*Yellow-legged Meadowhawk (S. vicinum)
-- unexpected! One male and one female collected among three males
and two females seen near Sand Pond. None appeared to be fully mature, though
their wings seemed dry and hard. A first record for Sierra County, and sufficiently
surprising that I checked each specimen carefully against illustrations of
genitalia in Needham et al.
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
-- one at Goodyear's Creek (elevation about 2500'). This also looks
to be a first record for the county, albeit only a sight record; credit for
first spotting and identifying the bug goes to my wife, Doris Kretschmer.
September 6, 2003
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
At Ferry Point [Klamath River Highway] around 1315 hrs it was sunny, the low
90's and very breezy.I saw the following:
Vivid Dancer
Bluet sp.
Widow skimmer - 2 males skirmishing
Flame skimmer - 1 male
At Wyman Gulch, (a roadside picnic table w/waterfall) I saw the following:
Vivid Dancer
Blue-eyed darner - 1 male
Western River Cruiser - 2 males patrolling
At Swillup Creek there is a short dirt road adjacent to the creek. In the dry
meadow along this road I netted a female Flame Skimmer.
At the Elliott Creek River Access (unsigned), I observed a male
variegated meadowhawk perched in dry grass at the confluence of Elliott
Creek and the Klamath River.
At the Coon Creek River Access at 1550 hrs it was very windy, sunny and hot
(mid 90's). There were whitecaps on the river! I did see some odes.
Vivid Dancer
Bluet sp.
Common Green Darner - 1 female
Widow Skimmer - 2 males
Flame Skimmer - 1 male
September 5, 2003
San Diego County
Doug Aguillard
I visited the County of San Diego Parks & Rec Bird & Butterfly Garden
in the Tijuana River Valley off of Hollister Rd, and saw the following
Black-fronted & Pacific Forktails
Common Green Darners
Blue-eyed Darners
I then went to the intersection of Saturn Blvd and Sunset Rd (also in the
Valley), where I knew there to be a small fresh-water pond. I have never seen
so many copulating Common Green Darners. It was literally an orgy going
on with up to ten pairs mating. Sometimes, three pairs to a single reed. There
was also 3 Blue-eyed Darners, 1 Variegated Meadowhawk, several Pacific
Forktails, many Blue-ringed Dancers, and a pair of Familiar Bluets.
September 3, 2003
Los Angeles County
Joe Morton & Mitch Heindel
Joe and I went looking in the 20 knot winds today but couldn't refind .... and
we examined in the hand a Tule Bluet, and saw several others that looked
like them. More interesting was a netted and hand examined Familiar Bluet,
another new Ode for the park list.
September 2, 2003
Shasta County
Bruce Deuel
I got a chance to look for some odes in Lassen Park yesterday and saw a lot of
what Ray did just north of the park in Thousand Lakes Wilderness. Naturally, I
couldn't use my net, but things went pretty well anyway.
Kings Creek Meadow:
Common Green Darner 8-10
Variable Darner 1 male,. This fellow was floating in Kings Creek. My son
fished him out and I was able to examine all the field marks on this, my life
A. interrupta.
Summit Lake:
Common Spreadwing 3-4
Northern/Boreal Bluet several
Aeshna, 3 - 1 of which I saw enough field marks on to call a
Shadow Darner.
Reflection Lake:
Common Spreadwing common
Bluet sp about twice as common as at Summit L.
Aeshnas , 5-6; 2 of which hovered so still I was able to confirm
they were Paddle-tailed Darners.
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk 1 male
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Alameda County
Anthony Fisher
I had a single Libellula pulchella 12-spotted Skimmer on the Mills College
campus
September 1, 2003
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
A friend and I hiked to Eiler Lake from the Tamarack trailhead early this
morning. We both spent time at Eiler Lake; he fished and I chased odes. After a
bit, I left him at Eiler and went around trying to visit as many of the
surrounding lakes as time allowed (there are at least 50 named and unnamed
lakes in the Thousand Lakes Valley). Thankfully, there were no mosquitoes. I'd
heard it was pretty bad earlier in the summer.
Darners were all over the place. In all, I caught 27 Aeshna darners and
IDed them. The break-down was as follows:
Paddle-tailed Darner - 16
Variable Darner - 6
Shadow Darner - 5
At least two of the lakes (one of them about an acre in size), had all three
darners present. Eiler Lake had mostly Paddle-tailed and no Variable Darners.
There were three species of meadowhawk:
White-faced Meadowhawk - common
Striped Meadowhawk - 2+
Western Meadowhawk - several tenerals
I just missed netting an emerald of unknown type.
There were also three species of damselfly:
Common Spreadwing - very common
Northern/Boreal Bluet - >20
Western Forktail – <15 >
August
August 31, 2003
Alameda County
Anthony Fisher
Crown Beach: Walked to the pond on my lunch break:
Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) 4 - one male collected
as county voucher
Spot-winged Glider 3
Wandering Glider 1
Variegated Meadowhawk 2
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Common Green Darner 2
It was warm enough, but a bit windy. The Gliders and Saddlebags were foraging
along the busy pathway, using a wall of fennel as a windbreak. I think that the
little insects that were the Dragon's prey, were being blown from the fennel to
their doom. Standing beside the path as bicycles and joggers moved by, the
Dragons glided languidly past my nose and just above my head.
At the pond, I startled a male Variegated Meadowhawk which moved to a perch
about 5 feet off the ground. This individual allowed me to approach and take
about 15 pictures, some from a couple of inches away. He was so cooperative I
decided to give him a kiss, but he flew away.
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Siskiyou County
Bob Behrstock, Kathy & Dave Biggs
12:30-15:00 hrs, Gumboot Lake, west of I-5. Approx. 9 miles east of Lake
Siskiyou on Forest Rd. #26 - 6462' elev, 41o 12.740' N, 122o 30.561' W (GPS
device).
Lestes congener 1 male
Lestes disjunctus probably 1,000+
Enallagma boreale* 4