California's Year 2007 Dragonfly Sightings**TWO NEW STATE RECORDS** - Baja Bluet Enallagma eiseni (June 17/18) and Turquoise-tipped Darner Rhionaeschna psilus (September 16)
Sightings are listed in order from MOST recently to LEAST recently seen!
Please send your sightings, with date, county and location as displayed below to Kathy Biggs.
date (month/day/year)
County (name of county where seen)
your name
place, etc.
species common name &/or scientific name - #s & other data, comments
species common name &/or scientific name- #s & other data, comments
etc.
See examples below (after dates start)
THANK YOU
Key:Species will be posted using either the Common Name or the Scientific Name, whichever the sender uses (inc. using both), but all first and last sightings of the year, county records, and new flight data will be posted using both names. To contact the person making the sighting, email Kathy Biggs.COUNTY RECORDS are underlined and in red text
OC=Odonata Central: http://odonatacentral.bfl.utexas.edu/records/US_new_records.asp report new county records here*= first/last sighting of species of year in CA **= new flight data for species in CA#= possibly a migratory event
As of the most recent date below,108 species (out of 113 known species) have been reported to this site as flying in CA in 2007.
27 new county records &/or upgrades to county records have been made this year
(this # includes upgrades of previous ‘sighting only’ records, newly accessed museum collections and new reports of prior year’s data).`Sighting only' records need further documentation, but please report them so we can try to get substantiation.There may be upgrades of previous `sighting only' records and new specimen records from recently examined museum/private collections listed. If you find such a record, please email it to Kathy Biggs <bigsnest@sonic.net>County records should be substantiated with specimen (preferable) or photo and notes. [note: not all species are identifiable by photos]
Report new county records to Odonata Central: http://odonatacentral.bfl.utexas.edu/records/US_new_records.asp for verification
December
December 30, 2007
San Bernardino County
Peter Siminski
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, Yucca Ridge Trail; 8:00
- 9:45, 28 -55 degrees, sunny, calm.
*Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1 – last report of the year
December 29, 2007San Diego CountyPete Spino
Upper Plum Canyon in the western portion of ABDSP,a Variegated Meadowhawk at 2:45 pm.
December 26, 2007
Imperial County
Bob Miller
Algodones DunesBeen seeing about one individual Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum
each day on my walks through the dunes. Today, there were five in one location!
December 23, 2007
San Bernardino County
Peter Siminski
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, hiked about 3 1/2
miles down the canyon; 8:00 - 12:45, 48 -72 degrees, sunny, calm to light
winds.
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum >19
December 15, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis; 9:30-13:20,
sunny, calm, 50-63 degrees.
**Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 1 Did not get it netted, but got a good look – new late
flight data by 2 whole months from prior years! - kb
*Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 2 - last report 2007
**Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 12 – new late flight data by one week - kb
*Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1 - last report 2007
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 3
December 10, 2007
Santa Clara County John Hall and David Edwards
Monte Bello OSP **Spotted Spreadwing - one female photographed - new late flight date by 1 day
San Mateo CountySkyline Ridge OSP**California Spreadwing Archilestes californicus - male photographed - new late flight date by 9 days
December 5, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
The Living Desert, Palm Desert CA; 11:00, sunny,
calm, 70 degrees.
**Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 1 – new late flight data by ~2 wks
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 3 including one tandem pair ovipositing.
December 4, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
The Living Desert, Palm Desert CA; 12:00, sunny,
calm, 70 degrees.
*Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 1M - last report 2007
December 3, 2007
Monterey County Don Roberson
Seaside, Laguna Grande park
My weekly survey at Laguna Grande finally yielded zero odes. But since it was a nice sunny day, I extended the lunch break to check Odello Lagoon at Carmel River mouth, and was surprised to find:*Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile 5: 4 m, 1 f (phs) – last report 2007
C. Green Darner 1
**Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor 1 - new late date
Variegated Meadowhawk 1 m (ph)
**Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum 1 m (ph) - new late date
November November 27, 2007
Mono CountyRon Oriti
Fish Slough ….there were no dragonflies, and I saw only one damselfly on the wing. The weather has turned cold at night (18-27 degrees), and I think that wehave lost the last of the dragonflies for this year.…….Monterey County Don Roberson
Seaside, Laguna Grande parkI completed my 35th weekly survey today, as a part of Jason Bried's project. There was just one male *Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula remaining - last report 2007
November 26, 2007
Sonoma County
David and Kathy Biggs
Bigsnest Pond, Sebastopol (our
backyard)
*Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa – 1 female did a quick fly-by on the pond
[last report 2007 – kb] November 22, 2007
Monterey County
Don Roberson
Seaside, Laguna Grande park
Blue-eyed Darner Aeshna multicolor
November 19, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Dos Palmas Oasis, Dos Palmas Preserve;
9:30-13:50, clear, 75-85 degrees, light wind.
**Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 3 (two in hand) – new late date, old late date 10/16/2006
*Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 5 including one wheel. (ties old late date of 2005)
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 5
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 10 including one tandem pair ovipositing.
Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 1M
Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii >45 including two wheels.
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 10 including one tandem.
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 4
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum >28 including seven tandem
pairs, two ovipositing.
*Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 10 [last report 2007 –kb]
**Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 1M - new late date
**Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 1M – new late date, old late date 11/7
*Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 2M - last report 2007
November 18, 2007
Sonoma County
David and Kathy Biggs
Bigsnest Pond, Sebastopol (our
backyard)
Shadow Darner – 1 female flying in the fog
around the lawn/garden NEXT to the pond. She showed no interest in the pond and
appeared to be feeding. Our first dragonfly in over a week….
…….
Yolo County
Greg Kareofelas
I was in the backyard and had a Sym corruptum
playing around, basking in the sun, chasing small insects. That is the only
dragonfly sp that I am seeing around now.
…….
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough
There were 2 Flame Skimmers and 3 or 4 Variegated
Meadowhawks, plus a number of Damsels!
November 16, 2007
Imperial County
David and Linda Blue
Squaw Pond
0930-1230, 72-79 degrees, mild wind, 11 species
There were ten species of odes flying at Squaw Pond.
New late dates for the southwest were established for Pale-faced Clubskimmer,
Striped Saddlebags,
and Black Saddlebags. There was a pair of Striped
Saddlebags and they were seen in tandem and in a wheel, and the female was seen
ovipositing while the male hovered overhead.
*American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana 8 - 5
m, 3 f, ph. – last report 2007
Blue-ringed Dancer Argia sedula 7
Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile 8
Rambur's Forktail Ischnura ramburii
20 - males and females, ph.
Common Green Darner Anax junius 6
- 2 pairs ovipositing, ph.
**Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax
6, ph. [new later flight date! – kb]
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata 1
Roseate Skimmer Orthemis ferruginea 1 - ph.
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum 12 - 3 tandems, ph.
**Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti 2 - Pair,
tandem, wheel, ovipositing, ph. [new later flight date! – kb]
**Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata
6 - Ph. [new late flight date by 6 days! – kb]
November 14, 2007
Monterey County
Don Roberson
Seaside, Laguna Grande park
Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum
November 12, 2007Monterey County
Don Roberson & Rita "cattail swale" at Elkhorn Slough Nat'l Estuarine Research Reserve **Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata at least 4 males where we'd had a dozen back on 20 Oct. [new later flight date! – kb]
Also one male Variegated Meadowhawk.…….
San Diego County
Peter Siminski
Palo Verde Canyon, Santa Rosa Mountains, Anza Borrego
Desert State Park; 8:40-12:20, clear, 70-80 degrees, calm.
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 22
Note: This site is probably 15 miles from any
regular significant water. VMs were mostly perched in desert
scrub 1-2m above ground.
November 9, 2007Alameda CountyJohn Hall, David Edwards Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation AreaFamiliar Bluet 17
Pacific Forktail 6
Mosaic Darner,sp Common Green Darner 1
…….Sacramento County
Tim ManolisAmerican River Parkway at the Mayhew Drain A 1.5 hour walk produced the usual Variegated Meadowhawks, about 16 or so, a half-dozen each of Pacific and *Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis [last report 2007],
and a distant flyby darner, probably Common Green, but most interesting was a female Lestes, probably a Spotted Spreadwing (unfortunately, I wasn't carrying my net with me).
November 8, 2007
Kern County
David Blue
Parking lot 3 miles north of Ridgecrest
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum 1
*Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata 1 [last report 2007]
November 7, 2007
Monterey County
Don Roberson
Seaside, Laguna Grande park
Common Green Darner Anax junius
November 5, 2007
Inyo & Mono Counties
Ron and Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough areaPaddle-tailed Darner – 1
Flame Skimmer – 1 male
Variegated Meadowhawk – 1
No more Western Meadowhawks November 3, 2007 Alameda CountyDon Roberson & Rita Carratello
Sunol Regional Wilderness1245-1445, sunny & warm, fairly calm, but most of creek in shade despite the mid-day visit. This was our first visit here but following directions from Hall & Edwards, we tried downstream of visitor center, the picnic area, and upstream of the pedestrian/ equestrian bridge at the end of the road.American Rubyspot 4
*California Spreadwing Archilestes californium 15 (ph) – last report 2007
Vivid Dancer 15
**Northern Bluet Enallagma annexum 1 m (photo) [new late flight date by ~ 2 wks - kb]
*Walker's Darner Aeshna walkeri 7 [last report 2007 – kb]
Variegated Meadowhawk 6
…….Imperial countyDave Shufford and Bob MillerAlgodones Dunes Wilderness… a 5.2 mile walk through the dunes…We walked for six hours, walking in just at sunrise…was amazed at the number of Variegated Meadowhawks. I would say 40 to 50 individuals. They were everywhere we went out there! It is extremely dry to say the least.Variegated Meadowhawk were seen in small numbers just about everywhere we went for the rest of the day as well.Back in the valley we visited the Imperial site of the New River Wetlands Project. At the far east end of the pond system we finally ran into some dragons. A lone Blue-eyed Darner.~15 Roseate Skimmers. Almost all males.One. ONE.. the only damselfly I could find! It was about 30 feet away on a small island. Ischnura sp., probably Rambur's Forktail at this location.
November 2, 2007
Imperial County
David Blue
"Squaw Pond" and West Pond Area
1030-1500, 68-86 degrees, mild to moderate wind, 15
species.
American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana 14
M& F, ph.
*Powdered Dancer Argia moesta 6 M & F, ph.
[last report 2007 –kb]
Blue-ringed Dancer Argia sedula 8 M, ph.
Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile 10
Rambur's Forktail Ischnura ramburii 15 M &
F, ph.
Common Green Darner Anax junius 6 1 wheel, 1
ovipositing
Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor
3
**Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax 3
ph., [New late flight date
for California]
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata 1
Roseate Skimmer Orthemis ferruginea 1 M, ph.
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis 1
*Mexican Amberwing Perithemis intensa 2 - last report 2007
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum
10
**Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti 1 M,
“Squaw Pond”, watched on and off
for an hour, [New late flight date]
Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata 8
…….
San Mateo CountyJohn Hall, David Edwards
Skyline Ridge OSPAlpine PondCalifornia Spreadwing 8
Horseshoe LakeCalifornia Spreadwing 6
Arroyo Bluet 4
Paddle-tailed Darner 2
Mosaic Darner,sp 3
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Cardinal Meadowhawk 3
*Striped Meadowhawk Sympetrum pallipes 40 last report 2007
…….Santa Clara CountyJohn Hall, David Edwards
Monte Bello OSPpondCalifornia Spreadwing 7
Spotted Spreadwing 15
**Northern Spreadwing 3 - new late date
Familiar Bluet 2
Arroyo Bluet 6 Paddle-tailed Darner 1
Mosaic Darner,sp 3
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Cardinal Meadowhawk 1
Striped Meadowhawk 30
November 1- 2, 2007
Inyo & Mono Counties
Ron and Barbara Oriti**Western Meadowhawk Sympetrum occidentalis, 3-4, Owens River, Inyo County, 11/2/07 - New late flight date - photo
Western Meadowhawk, Owens River, Inyo County. 11/1/07- photo
Paddle-tailed Darners - 2, Fish Slough, Mono County. 11/1/07- photo
Flame Skimmer - one Fish Slough, Mono County
Variegated Meadowhawk - one Fish Slough, Mono County
Damselfly sp. Several, Fish Slough, Mono County
October
October 30, 2007
Monterey County
Don Roberson
Seaside, Laguna Grande park
Vivid Dancer
October 28, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Dos Palmas Oasis, Dos Palmas Preserve; 9:00-13:30,
high cirrus, 75-95 degrees, light wind ~5mph.
Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 18
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 12
*Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 1
[last report 2007 – kb]
Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii >55 including one wheel.
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 25 including one tandem.
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 10
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum >35 over half were in tandem pairs,
some ovipositing.
Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata ~25, I do not think that I have ever seen this
many Red-tailed Pennants in one place. I only saw males.
Some were defending territories along the shore of
the fish ponds, and at the 2nd pond there were ~6 chasing one another
around in the center of the 1/4 acre pond.
**Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 8 -
new late flight date
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 12
**Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 1M1F, female was ovipositing. - new late
flight date
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 8
……..
Monterey County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Garland Ranch Regional Park,two spots along Carmel River 1100-1215, 68-78 degrees; most odes absent until noonVivid Dancer 20
Familiar Bluet 12
Walker's Darner 4
October
26, 2007
San Diego County
Richard Bledsoe
La Mesa, in a local park
In spite of the terrible fires in this county the odes continue to fly. I had a** Neon skimmer Libellula croceipennis – one male, photos send to KB – [new late flight date &last report 2007 – kb]Flame skimmers - some in a local park here in
…….
Imperial County
Bob Miller
El Centro near Appleby's on HWY 86 between El Centro and Imperial…. I stepped over to the fence to survey the large concrete drain culvert that runs down the side of Hwy 86. A good 15 feet wide and 8 foot deep with a few inches of constant slow running water and scattered vegetation...and too much windblown trash... surrounded by concrete and asphalt. Called the others over when they got to the vehicle and was able to show them all about four really bright male Roseate Skimmers,two or three male Blue Dasher and several Ischnura that were probably Rambur's Forktail.
Brawly
I had a Variegated Meadowhawk cruising the sprinkler in my back yard.October 24, 2007Alameda County
John Hall, David Edwards
Sunol Regional WildernessDavid and I first went downstream from the Visitors' Center thenupstream from the farthest parking area past the picnic area.American Rubyspot 7
California Spreadwing 40
*California Dancer, Argia agrioides 1 [last report 2007 –kb]
Vivid Dancer 22
Familiar Bluet 12
Arroyo Bluet 4
Pacific Forktail 1
Walker's Darner 4
Mosaic Darner,sp 7
Common Green Darner 1
Variegated Meadowhawk 26
Cardinal Meadowhawk 1
October
21, 2007
Marin County
Neill FogartyMt. Tamalpais State Park #Today, in late afternoon, I had the pleasure of seeing hundreds of thousands of medium-sized, red dragonflies all moving south
along the west ridge of Mt. Tam, with a few different butterfly species mixed in. What a treat. [he later agreed that they looked likeVariegated meadowhawks –kb]
October
20, 2007
Imperial County
David Blue
"Squaw Pond" and West Pond Area
0950-1450, 78-95 degrees, mild to moderate wind, 16
species.
An early morning check of the wind was promising so I
drove 200 miles to the Imperial Dam area of the Colorado River north of Yuma,
Arizona, to see what was still flying.
I spend most
of my time at the marsh south of the Senator Wash Reservoir. There I found what
was probability the same Striped Saddlebags discovered by Tim Manolis last
week, and photographed by Don Roberson. Then I discovered a second one at West
Pond, just 1.6 miles away (straight-line distance). Both of these were
photographed.
American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana 2 ph.
Blue-ringed Dancer Argia sedula 8
Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile 6 ph.
Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis 1
Rambur's Forktail Ischnura ramburii 4
Common Green Darner Anax junius 12
Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor 4
*White-belted Ringtail Erpetogomphus compositus
1 ph. – last report 2007
**Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax 8
- patrolling the stream that flowed out of the beaver pond and eventually into
Squaw Lake. [New late flight date for California.]
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata 1 ph.
Roseate Skimmer Orthemis ferruginea 6 ph.
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis 1
Mexican Amberwing Perithemis intensa 1
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum 5
Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti 1 ph. M,
32°54'07.6"N 114°29'02.0"W
Probably the same one Tim Manolis discovered at this
spot last week. It would fly along the east side of the water (where the road
runs), from the beaver pond south to where the vegetation became thick along
the edge. It stayed in this area for at least two hours and was still there
when I left.
Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti 1 ph. M,
32°52'46.7"N 114°28'30.1"W
This one was in the creek along side the northeast
most road that goes south from McKinley Road to West Pond. This is only .15
mile NE from where Doug Aguillard photographed his last year.
Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata 12 ph.
…
Bob Miller
Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR HQ…. to see if I could re-find last weeks Striped Saddlebags there. A perfectly calm day had turned into an EXTREME wind and dirt storm about 30 minutes before I got to the refuge. Bummer. Was able to find about 3 Common Green Darner, 10 Roseate Skimmer, 5 Variegated Meadowhawk and a lone Mexican Amberwing hugging the backside of the Palo Verde trees but nothing along the ditch.
…….San Diego CountyDoug Aguillard
We are currently experiencing heavy Santa Ana winds
from the east and it is warm and dry. I decided to go to Greenwood Cemetery,
where I found large quantities of Common Green Darners, 2 Flame
Skimmers, many Variegated Meadowhawks, one Blue Dasher, 3
Black Saddlebags, and one late date **Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta.
Thus being happy with this, I went home, only to discover I now had 2
new yard Odes. I currently have 2 Blue-eyed Darners, 1 Common Green
Darner, and also 1* Wandering Glider (last report 2007) hunting on
the leeward side of some Italian Cypress's. I wonder if this is due to the
Santa Ana winds or do Blue-eyed Darners actually migrate?
…….
Monterey County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Rita and I went to check Elkhorn Slough Estuarine Research Reserve (ESERR), where William Hull had first discovered Paddle-tailed Darners in MTY almost exactly a year ago (22 Oct 2006); full details of that event at http://www.montereybay.com/creagrus/Paddle-tailedDarner.html They are there again this year, and in numbers. Two freshwater ponds make up "cattail swale" on the reserve map; last year one pond was dry and the other full -- this year both ponds drawn down, one dry and one just muddy. Each of these ponds had a half-dozen male Paddle- tails, many flying, some perched (many more photos). We also checked the remnant of the "Heronry Pond" (underneath the eucs where the Great Blue Herons & Great Egrets nest each spring). That pond is almost dry -- just a puddle – but 3 more Paddle-tailed males were there. In all, at least 15 Paddle-tailed Darners. And those were the only odes we saw. ESERR on Elkhorn Road near Moss Landing is open daily 9-5 Wed through Sunday, and there is a $2.50 entrance fee. The darner spots are shown on the reserve map available at the visitor's center and I think the map is on-line also. This site remains the only known locale for this species in MTY.…..
Seaside, Laguna Grande park
*Western Forktail Enallagma perparva – last report 2007
October
18, 2007
Orange CountyPaul Saraceni
Crystal Cove State Park near Newport Beach, sunny weather, I observed the following 5 species flying in coastal scrub habitat:Blue-eyed Darner 2
Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis 1 m. (flying along ocean bluff then perched on a sagebrush)
Black Saddlebags 1
Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta 1
Wandering Glider 1 (flying low over beach amidst clouds of kelp flies)
October
14, 2007
Imperial
County
Don
Roberson, Rita Carratello
Rita found yet another one! ** Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti [new late flight date –kb] was at the headquarters of Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge at the Salton Sea (corner of Gentry & Sinclair) at about 10 a m. There is a small canal along the south side of the parking area that is bordered by a wide dike topped with a wide dirt (but unused) road on its north side. The imm male Striped Saddlebags was about 300-500m west down this dike, about in line with the 3rd telephone pole that is across the canal, and we put an "x" on the dirt road with sticks. Alas, the saddlebags flew shortly after Rita found it perched, and flew to the mesquite row just north, but we did not refind it (we also did not search much longer). There were many Roseate Skimmer, Variegated Mdwhawks, Mex Amberwings and C. Green Darners in the
vicinity. http://montereybay.com/creagrus/StripedSaddlebags.html
…….Butte CountyBruce and Kathy Deuel, John Sterling
DeSabla Reservoir ….in hope of finding Autumn (Yellow-legged) Meadowhawk. After walking around the eastern shore of the lake with no luck, we headed to the dam. Fisherman there notified us that others had seen the raredragonfly on the western side of the dam. After looking for about 30 minutes, I finally spotted one flying over the water and thenhiding in the floating vegetation. Too far for a photograph or a good look. After about 10 more minutes of looking, male *Autumn Meadowhawks Sympetrum vicinum started appearing close by. Several were on the gravel near our feet and we
saw about 12 individuals in 10 minutes that afforded us very close looks. Needless to say, we netted one and I was able to obtain many good photos. Last report 2007Also present were Shadow Darners (netted), Blue-eyed Darners and suspected Paddle-tailed Darners (not netted), and of course, Variegated Meadowhawks.
October 13, 2007
Imperial County
Peter Siminski
CDG&F Imperial Wildlife Area, Wister Unit, Ruddy
Road ponds and ditches; 9:00 - 12:00, a few clouds early, 75-85
degrees, light wind to ~5mph.
Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta 3
Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 12
Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 3
Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 10 including 2 ovipositing females.
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 12
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 6
Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 2
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 2
Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 1
Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 10
Striped Saddlebags, Tramea calverti 1F, watched for about 20 minutes along the
ditch about 25 meters east of Davis Road. Clearly seen in detail.
Did not have a camera. Careful, there are Red Saddlebags in the
area. [this is the first sighting for
2007, but also, at the time, new LATE flight data for within CA! – KB]
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 1
Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 2
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 1
East Highline Canal at Sinclair Road, 12:30-1:30,
clear, 85 degrees, windy 15mph.
American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana ~30
Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta 3
Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula ~40 including ovipositing tandem pairs.
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile ~50 including ovipositing tandem pairs.
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1
White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus 1
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 4
Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 2
…….
Tim
Manolis, Don Roberson, Rita Carratello
Colorado River near Winterhaven
We spent a nice warm, sunny day (with a
little bit of wind; the highlight was a pretty male Striped Saddlebags (Tramea
calverti) seen perched at close range (Don got pix) near Senator Wash
Reservoir. It is a bit hard to describe how to access this spot, but
it is very nice habitat that had good odonate diversity. It is an area
that is marked closed to the public on the south side of Senator Wash Road
across the road from the South Mesa boat launch area on Senator Wash Reservoir
and west of Squaw Lake. It looked like good habitat, so Don asked at the
South Mesa contact station for permission to enter and this was granted.
So check in at the station first before considering entering this area.
The dirt road into this area descends to a pumping station and then takes a
sharp right (west) turn to parallel and nice little stream-like drainage from a
good-sized, wonderful tulle and cattail fringed pond. This is all visible
from the Senator Wash Road. Anyway, the Striped Saddlebags was at the
point where the drainage leaves the pond through a culvert under the dirt road.
American
Rubyspot -- 1-2 at the
Striped Saddlebags spot (plus 1-2 at the Westside Canal at Highway 98 later in
the afternoon)
Powdered
Dancer -- 10-20 at the
Striped Saddlebags spot and Squaw Lake; 5-10 along the Westside Canal.
Blue-ringed
Dancer -- 50 at the
Striped Saddlebags spot; some along the Westside Canal.
California/Aztec
Dancer -- 3-4 at the
Striped Saddlebags spot; unfortunately they eluded my net, but Don got some
photos.
Familiar
Bluet -- 8 at West Pond,
10 at the Striped Saddlebags spot.
**Double-striped
Bluet Enallagma basidens -- a male netted at West Pond. [last report 2007 & new late flight date– kb]
Desert
Forktail -- a female
netted along the Westside Canal.
Rambur's
Forktail -- fairly
common and widespread, easily 100 or so seen.
**Citrine
Forktail Ischnura hastata -- a male photographed at
West Pond. [new late date by one day
& last report 2007 – kb]
Common
Green Darner -- widely
seen at Colorado River spots, 30-40, at least two ovipositing pairs seen.
Blue-eyed
Darner -- 15-20 seen at
Colorado River spots.
White-belted
Ringtail -- 1-2 seen
along the rocky shore of Senator Wash Reservoir at the boat launch area.
Red-tailed
Pennant -- 1 male at
West Pond.
Mexican
Amberwing -- 8-10 at
various spots.
Western
Pondhawk -- 15 or so at
various spots.
Blue
Dasher -- 6-8 at various
spots.
Roseate
Skimmer -- 20 or so,
various spots.
Flame
Skimmer -- 2 territorial
males at the Striped Saddlebags spot
Pale-faced
Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga
mendax -- 4-5 territorial males at the Striped Saddlebags spot
Variegated
Meadowhawk -- fairly
common and widespread, 75-80 seen.
Black
Saddlebags -- 10-15 seen
at various spots.
Striped
Saddlebags -- 1 male
seen.
Wandering
Glider -- 2-3 seen.__,_._,___
http://montereybay.com/creagrus/StripedSaddlebags.html
October 12,
2007
Imperial
County
Doug Aguillard
Went to visit the area on or around the same date as
last years two new State records were found.
Nothing great to report. Weather was sunny and clear,
temps in the high 80's, with slight breeze; from 9:30 a.m. 12:30 a.m.
Common Green Darner (20+)
Blue-eyed Darner (1)
Clubtail/Snaketail (sp?) (2)
Mexican Amberwing (4)
Blue Dasher (2)
Western Pondhawk (1)
Variegated Meadowhawk (3)
Black Saddlebags (7)
Red Saddlebags (1)
Wandering Glider (2)
Powdered Dancer (12)
Blue-ringed Dancer (1)
Rambur's Forktail (5)
Familiar Bluet (1)
October 30, 2007
Monterey County
Don Roberson
Seaside, Laguna Grande park
Arroyo Bluet Enallagma praevarum
October 8,
2007
Mono
& Inyo Counties
Ron &
Barbara Oriti
…. we spent going around seeing what dragonflies we
could find. A storm last Thursday into Saturday dropped snow in all the
mountains, and it got cold, so we didn't have hopes for much. First,
went to Hot Creek (MONO COUNTY), …. nothing! Next, went to
the Hot Tub, where all the Whitetails were (MONO COUNTY), and we never saw
one.
Stopped by the place at the Owens River where Kathy
netted the Green Darners (INYO COUNTY). Saw 3 or 4 Western Meadowhawks,
and one Blue-eyed Darner. Ron photographed the
Meadowhawk. After that, drove out to
Fish Slough, and at one place, there was a pair of Flame Skimmers, with
the female ovipositing. The male was staying close to her.
There were 2 or 3 Darners, and a Variegated Meadowhawk.
There were a number of damselflies, too, and some were
ovipositing. Ron got photos of the Meadowhawk and Flame Skimmers.
……..Sonoma CountyKathy & Dave BiggsBigsnest Pond, Sebastopol, CAShadow Darner – 1 male netted and released
October 1-2, 2007
San Diego County
Pete SpinoBanner Grade area west of Julian, where the Mountains drop down on their way to meet the Colorado Desert. This site has been has just been leveled for reasons unknown. Still managed to find a few shell-shocked bugs:Vivid DancerBlue-ringed DancerCalif./Aztec DancerFlame SkimmerNeon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis Pale-faced Clubskimmer**Giant Darner Anax walsinghami – [new late flight date (Oct. 1) & last report 2007 – kb]
*Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea [last report 2007 – kb]
September
September
30, 2007
Riverside
County
Peter
Siminski
Dos Palmas Oasis, Dos Palmas Preserve; 9:00-13:30,
clear, 80-93 degrees, calm early to 10mph gusts later; it looked like Dos
Palmas had a soaking rain within the past week; notable since some parts
of the Coachella Valley have had less than 1/2 inch of rain in the last 14
months.
Blue-ringed
Dancer, Argia sedula 9
Vivid
Dancer, Argia vivida 1
Familiar
Bluet, Enallagma civile 10
Rambur's
Forktail, Ischnura
ramburii 27
Common
Green Darner, Anax
junius 50+ including four
tandem and two tandem ovipositing pairs.
Blue-eyed
Darner, Rhionaeschna
multicolor 17
Variegated
Meadowhawk, Sympetrum
corruptum 37 including
two tandem and three tandem ovipositing pairs.
Red-tailed
Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 4
Western
Pondhawk, Erythemis
collocata 31 including
one ovipositing female.
Blue
Dasher, Pachydiplax
longipennis 32
Comanche
Skimmer, Libellula
comanche 4
Flame
Skimmer, Libellula
saturata 3
Roseate
Skimmer, Orthemis
ferruginea 1
*Marl
Pennant, Macrodiplax
balteata 16 including one
tandem pair. [last date reported in 2007 – kb]
Black
Saddlebags, Tramea
lacerata 34 including two
tandem pairs.
Wandering
Glider, Pantala
flavescens 2
September
29, 2007
Imperial
County
David Blue
West Pond Area
0900-1500, 72-93 degrees, moderate wind, 18 species
Checked the West Pond area in Imperial County on
Saturday. Lots of odes, but nothing rare. The ditch where the Plateau Dragonlet
was discovered last year has thicker vegetation this year and doesn't seem
to be holding as many damselflies.
American
Rubyspot Hetaerina
americana 6 ph.
Powdered
Dancer Argia moesta 40 ph.
Blue-ringed
Dancer Argia sedula 20 8 tandem
Familiar
Bluet Enallagma civile 1
Rambur's
Forktail Ischnura
ramburii 20 ph.
Common
Green Darner Anax junius 20
Blue-eyed
Darner Rhionaeschna
multicolor 2
*Russet-tipped
Clubtail Stylurus
plagiatus 1F ph. [last report
2007 – kb]
Red-tailed
Pennant Brachymesia
furcata 6 ph.
Western
Pondhawk Erythemis
collocata 3 1M 2F
Comanche
Skimmer Libellula
comanche 2 2M
Flame
Skimmer Libellula
saturata 1 M
Blue
Dasher Pachydiplax
longipennis 50 ph., 2 wheels
Wandering
Glider Pantala
flavescens 1
Spot-winged
Glider Pantala hymenaea 1 ph.
Mexican
Amberwing Perithemis
intensa 8 ph.
Variegated
Meadowhawk Sympetrum
corruptum 6 ph.
Black
Saddlebags Tramea
lacerata 12 ph.
…….
Sonoma County
Don Roberson
Copeland Creek @ Lichau Road, near Penngrove, n.e. of Petaluma1130-1315; sunny and a little breezy; warmed to 70+ degrees in afternoonArrived at the Lichau Road bridge at 1130 and the blackberry brambles/ alders were immediately obvious left of the bridge (see Kathy Biggs's post 26 Sep 2004). The sun was on the bushes but the only ode there was a meadowhawk. So I worked downstream and upstream for over an hour, and then returned to the brambles. Suddenly Archilestes was 'easy' -- my guess is that it finally got hot enough (i.e., broke 70 degrees). The ones I saw all looked very fresh.*Great Spreadwing Archilestes grandis 3 (2 m, 1 f) – last report 2007
Vivid Dancer 6
C. Green Darner 2
mosaic darner 1 m, got away without a name
Striped Meadowhawk 1
September
28, 2007
Santa
Cruz County
Laurie Woolworth
Thursday, about 6:30 pm
Boulder Creek
#…hundreds, maybe thousands of dragonfly's
filled my neighborhood. It was quite unusual. Right before sunset
hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dragonflies filled my back yard. My
neighbors and I stopped what we were doing and went outside and watched them
for about a half hour. There was still light in the sky when we all kinda
wandered back inside and let the dragonflies continue to swarm our yards. I've
never seen anything like this in all my life. My neighbor took a video.
…….
Kern County
John
Sterling
Galileo Hills in eastern Kern County
*Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes – photographed
– last report 2007
September 24, 2007
Lake County
David and Kathy Biggs
Hwy 20, East of Cache Creek
**Giant Darner Anax walsinghami – one male flew over the road at traffic stop for
roadwork! New late flight date.
September 19-24, 2007
Los Angeles County
Jeff Seay and John Sterling
While surveying for birds in the San Gabriel Mountain
region, we were able to find a few interesting odes. On September 19, *Lavender
Dancers Argia hinei were along Big Tujunga Creek at the end of a
forest service road upstream from the dam in the mountains (road closed to the
public [last report 2007]). On September 24, one male *Serpent
Ringtail Erpetogomphus lampropeltis [last report 2007] was along Upper Piru Creek (only five minutes
from Hwy 5). Some other species noted were
Pale-faced
Clubskimmer,
Cardinal Meadowhawk,
Arroyo Bluet,
Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes
Common Green Darner,
California Spreadwing,
Paddle-tailed Darner,
Blue-eyed Darners,
Black Saddlebags,
Wandering Glider
Spot-winged Gliders,
Variegated Meadowhawk.
September 21, 2007
Orange County
David and Linda Blue
Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach
Common Green Darner Anax junius 20, one wheel and one ovipositing
Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor
30
Red-tailed Pennant Brachymesia furcata 1
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata 2
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis 1
Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens 1
Mexican Amberwing Perithemis intensa 1
Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata 1
September 18, 2007
Los Angeles County
John Sterling
Big Tujunga Canyon
*Sooty Dancer Argia lugens – last
report 2007
September 16, 2007
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
I spent part of the day chasing odes along three creeks in Redding. Not a whole lot flying . . . but got my first ever Aztec Dancer.Common Green Darner - common
Flame Skimmer - 1
Western Pondhawk - 2
Variegated Meadowhawk - common
Vivid Dancer - 1
*Aztec Dancer Argia nahuana – 1 [last for certain report 2007 –kb]
California Dancer - fairly common
Sooty Dancer Argia lugens – 1 – last report 2007
*Tule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum – common [last report 2007 –kb]
Pix are up at: http://bruunphotography.com/redding_091607.html
…….
Orange County
John Avise
Huntington Beach, 8:35 AM
Huntington City Park, on the east side of Goldenwest
Street, adjacent to Talbert Lake (which at the time was almost completely dry).
Rhionaeschna psilus (Turquoise-tipped Darner) – mature male – species #113 for CA!
The darner was observed along the north edge of the
“wet area”, along the tongue or arm of Lake Talbert that extends to the east,
toward Gothard Street. For most of the five minutes of observation, the animal
was flying quickly and erratically in the area, over Myoporum shrubs,
but it landed once, long enough for four photographs to be taken.
September 15, 2007
Imperial County
Bob Miller
Intersection English and Sinclair RdsVariegated Meadowhawk ~8
Roseate Skimmer 2f
Red-saddlebags 1f
Rambur's Forktail 2m
East Highline Canal @ Sinclair Rd.American Rubyspot 1m-2f
Powdered Dancer ~30
Blue-ringed Dancer ~30
September 14, 2007
Los Angeles County
David & Linda Blue
Piru Creek, Frenchman's Flat
American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana 8
Sooty Dancer Argia lugens 12
Vivid Dancer Argia vivida 4
*Desert Firetail Telebasis salva 7 -
last report 2007
Common Green Darner Anax junius 4
Giant Darner Anax walsinghami 1
Serpent Ringtail Erpetogomphus lampropeltis
1
Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax
3
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata
3
Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes
20
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum
1
Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata 3
Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta 1
September 12, 2007
San Diego County
Pete SpinoBanner Grade area west of Julian, where the Mountains drop down on their way to meet the Colorado Desert.
Flame Skimmer 4-5, saw 2 in wheel
Neon Skimmer 2
Variegated Meadowhawk*Common Whitetail Libellula lydia [last report 2007 – kb]
Pale-faced Clubskimmer flew overhead
White-belted Ringtail 6
Vivid Dancer many in wheels, F laying eggs
Desert Firetail a few
American Rubyspot
September 7 &14, 2007
Los Angeles County
Ron and Barbara Oriti
Los Angeles Arboretum Mexican Amberwings – photos taken
September 10, 2007
Marin County
Eric Preston
While birding Pt. Reyes yesterday on a stunningly
beautiful day I saw the following odes:
Black Saddlebags - at least 3 including one at the lighthouse
Blue-eyed Darner - 1 perched
Aeshna darners - 5 or so, probably Blue-eyed
Tule/Arroyo Bluet - 5 at Abbott's
Black-fronted Forktail - 1 M at Abbott's
…….
Butte CountyDon Roberson
DeSabla Reservoir, 2740' elev.[0930-1130, warm & calm, sunny but hazy from forest fires]California Spreadwing 1 fem (ph) was a big surprise to me
Vivid Dancer 3
Pacific Forktail 1
Familiar Bluet 2 (m & f)
'blue bluets' 20+ (non Tules at lake edge, of Fam/No/Bo types]
Tule Bluet 50+ (a few studied were Tule, I assume all dark bluets were this]
mosaic darner 3
W. Pondhawk 1 m
Flame Skimmer 1 m
*Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella 1 fem [last date reported in 2007 – kb]
Variegated Meadowhawk 2 m
*Autumn Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum 1 m
…
Solano CountyDon Roberson
Stebbins Cold Canyon Preserve, [1430-1630; very hot & sunny, calm]No water in creek. Last year there was a nice trickling stream in October, a month later, starting at the half-mile point up the river bed. This date, nada. No water there, virtually no water for the next half-mile of boulder hopping up the creek bed, unless one counts 3 very tiny stagnant pools in deep shady spots. All the quail were gathered at these spots which were not larger than a desktop.Odes: Walker's Darner 1 cruising male over the dry streambed
September 9, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Thousand Palms Oasis, Coachella Valley Preserve;
8:30-11:15, sunny, light wind, 85-100 degrees.
California Dancer, Argia agrioides 5 (two in hand)
*Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 1M in hand [last report
2007 – kb]
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida ~20
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 11 including a wheel and tandem ovipositing.
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 1
White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus 4
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 3
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 8
Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata 1F
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 1
…….
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
**Bleached Skimmer Libellula composita – last report 2007; new late flight date by one
day
September 8 & 9, 2007
Plumas County
Don Roberson (8&9); Kathy & Dave Biggs, Ray
Bruun, Joe Smith, Jenn Tiehm
(9th only)
Willow Lake
Northern Spreadwing Lestes
disjunctus [last report 9/9/2007 – kb]
Spotted Spreadwing
Vivid Dancer
Pacific Forktail
Western Forktail Ischnura perparva
Boreal Bluet
Familiar Bluet
C. Green Darner
* *Canada Darner Aeshna canadensis [first report 9/8 & last report 9/9/2007
– kb]
*Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta
[last report 2007 – kb]
Paddle-tailed Darner
Shadow Darner
Black Meadowhawk Sympetrum danae [last report 2007 – kb]
White-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum
obtrusum [last report 2007 – kb]
Western Meadowhawk
Striped Meadowhawk
……..
Orange County
Doug Willick
City of Orange, East side of the Santa Ana River
unidentified damselfly sp.
Common Green Darners 12+
Flame SkimmersWandering and Spot-winged Gliders,
Roseate Skimmer Orthemis ferruginea one female
Black Saddlebags one
When viewed from a public bike/hiking trail, about 200-250 meters south of the Lincoln Street crossing, in the City of Orange (the Santa Ana R. forms the border between the city of Orange to the east and Anaheim to the west). This is just about a mile south of the S.R. 91 (Riverside) freeway and a mile east of SR 57 (Orange ) freeway. The coordinates (off Google Earth) if they are usual to anyone, is 33d 49m 59s N, by 117d 51m 48s W.PHOTO RECORD, CA Chart #98
Variegated Meadowhawks 40-50
September 7, 2007
San Diego County
David Blue
Palomar Mountain State Park
Doane Pond only
Common Green Darner Anax junius 2
Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor 6
Western Pondhawk Erythemis collocata 1
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturate 2
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis 4
Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens 1
Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata 2
Santa Margarita River
Sandia Creek Park
American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana 1
Vivid Dancer Argia vivida 3
Tule/Arroyo Bluet Enallagma carunculatum/praevarum 2
Common Green
Darner Anax junius 3
Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor 2
*Gray Sanddragon Progomphus borealis 1 – last report 2007
Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax 3
Western Pondhawk Erythemis collocata 1
Neon Skimmer
Libellula croceipennis 1
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata 3
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis 3
Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes 1
Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum 1
Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata 3
September 6/7, 2007
Orange County
Doug Willick
Neon Skimmer - up to 10 males
September 4, 2007
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Owens River, east of Klondike Lake (where we
all had seen them on the Blitz)
*Olive Clubtail Stylurus olivaceus– last sighting 2007
September 4, 2007
Plumas County
John Sterling
Humbug
Valley
*Pacific Spiketail Cordulegaster dorsalis– last sighting 2007
September 2, 2007
San Diego County
Peter Siminski
Santa Margarita River at Sandia Creek Road, north of
Fallbrook; 9:30-12:15, sunny, light wind, 85-103 degrees.
American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana 10
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 4
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 7 (2 in hand)
Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma praevarum 50+ including many tandems and ovipositing
tandems (6 in hand)
Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula 2
Black-fronted Forktail, Ischnura denticollis 7
Desert Firetail, Telebasis salva 9 including one tandem
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 20+ including five tandems, one ovipositing tandem and
one female ovipositing.
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 2
Gray Sanddragon, Progomphus borealis 2
Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum 1M
Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 30+ including a wheel and two ovipositing
females.
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 15
Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa 2
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 20+ including an ovipositing female.
Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 1
Red Rock Skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes 2
Pale-faced Clubskimmer, Brechmorhoga mendax 1M
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 11 including 3 tandems, one of which was
ovipositing.
…….
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
#We floated from Ferry Point (13 miles west of Happy Camp) to Coon Creek (18 miles west of Happy Camp).Near the beginning of the float in the late morning stillness we were joined by approximately 150 Green Darners. They seemed to be about in varying numbers until the afternoon winds arrived. Once it became somewhat breezy the darners seemed to disappear.The weather was clear, temps mid 70's early to low 90's later. Winds were calm till about 1330 hrs, then picked up to moderate upstream winds.I only noticed one mature male, the rest were either female or immature males.
September 1, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Dos Palmas Oasis, Dos Palmas Preserve; 8:45 - 11:45,
sunny, calm, 102 - 112 degrees.
Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 5
Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 1
Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 3
Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii ~18
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 9
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 1
Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 50+ including a wheel and an ovipositing
female.
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 75+
Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 11
Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata ~30 including tandem ovipositing pair.
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 13
Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 3
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 5
Note: Three sets of sidewinder tracks on the
hike to the ponds.
…….
Lassen County
Doug Vaughan & Doris Kretschmer
Zamboni Hot Springs and Long Valley Creek, n. of Hallelujah Junction, 10:15-11:30; c. 80 deg, clear, light wind. All spp. seen along the creek except as noted.*Calif. Spreadwing (Archilestes californica) -- 1 m in hand; 2 tenerals briefly seen may have been Archilestes or Lestes
Paiute Dancer (Argia alberta) -- a few at the springs
*River Bluet Enallagma anna -- 1 m in hand, others presumably this sp. fairly com. – last sighting 2007
Black-fronted Forktail -- a few m, both spots
Com. Green Darner -- 1 m
Gray Sanddragon (Progomphus borealis) -- perhaps 5-6, 1 or 2 fairly well seen, none netted
W. Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) -- 1 m, 2 f
Flame Skimmer -- several m, both spots
…….Merced CountyPaul Johnson
Hwy 140 @ San Joaquin River, 1645-1915arroyo bluet - 1M
bluet sp. - 4F
American Rubyspot - 3
common green darner - 12
blue-eyed darner - 25
olive clubtail Stylurus olivaceus - 8 (wheel)
variegated meadowhawk - 40
wandering glider - 12
spot-winged glider - 1
black saddlebags - 1
Don't let anyone tell you the ode season is over!
August
August 30, 2007
Lassen County Doug Vaughan & Doris Kretschmer
Cooper Swamp, just e. of Caribou Wilderness, 9:00-10:30; 75-85 deg, mostly cloudy (a few raindrops), gusty winds. We camped (utterly alone) at the Rocky Knoll CG, also a primitive site, at least this year. My guess is that the campground was closed much of the year to permit aggressive tree thinning, evidence of which was still present, making many of the sites pretty grim. We did find a nice one!Spotted Spreadwing -- 1 m in hand
N. Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus) -- 1 m in hand; unidentified spreadwings were fairly com., including 1 possible Emerald Spreadwing
Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes) -- fairly numerous, both m and f
White-faced Meadowhawk (S. obtrusum) -- 2-3 m, perhaps 1 f
W. Meadowhawk -- 1 f
…Tehama CountyWilson Lake, s. of Lassen NP, 2 mi. e. of highway 89, 12:30-2:00; 85 deg, mostly cloudy, windy. A disappointment, presumably a casualty of the dry year:There was scant open water, and it was essentially unapproachable, surrounded by an expanse of boot-sucking mud and sphagnum bog, dry and dead on the surface but *only* on the surface. spreadwing sp. -- several N./Spotted not identified
Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis -- 1 m collected; I had thought this might be a new species for Tehama,
but then I noted a recent photo record....well, now there's a specimen!darner sp. -- we did see 6-8 distant darners, but we saw no pattern to their foraging and never got close
Striped Meadowhawk -- a few
W. Meadowhawk -- 1 m
*Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis – 1 [last report 2007 – kb]
August 29, 2007
Lassen County Doug Vaughan & Doris Kretschmer
Ash Creek near Ash Ck CG, se. of Aden, 9:45-10-30; c. 75 deg, p. cloudy, brief light rain concluded our visit! Ash Creek CG is a primitive site (we couldn't even get water from the pump spigot), and we saw no one between late afternoon 8/28 and the next morning, when a Forest Service guy appeared to stock the creek with trout. We enjoyed the solitude.Am. Rubyspot -- several, most m
Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener) -- 1 f, a second presumed this sp., both seen in camp the evening before,
perhaps preparing to roost well away from water?Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida) -- a few
Tule Bluet -- 1 m in hand, unidentified bluets fairly com.
N. Bluet (Enallagma annexum) -- 1 m in hand
W. Forktail (Ischnura perparva) -- a few
Flame Skimmer -- 1 f
Secret Creek at Karlo Road and w. along the road, ne. of Susanville, 1:00-2:00; 90+ deg, p. cloudy.Tule Bluet -- many presumed this sp., 5 or 6 in hand
Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) -- 1 m in hand
River Bluet (E. anna) -- 1 m at tiny rivulet crossing Karlo Road (N
40°33.754' W 120°19.183') en route to Biscar Wildlife AreaN. Bluet -- 1 m in hand, a few others likely this sp.
W. Forktail -- many
Black-fronted Forktail (Ischnura denticollis) -- 1 m
Com. Green Darner -- 2 or 3
W. Meadowhawk (Sympetrum occidentale) -- 1 faded m
Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis) -- 1 m, then many more in wet fields and roadside ditch w. along Karlo Road
August 24 -
29, 2007
Siskiyou
County
Kathy &
Dave Biggs
Our pond, Mt Shasta Forest, McCloud
Common
Green Darner Anax junius – several
Aeshna sp.
– several
Black
Saddlebags Tramea lacerata - 1
Cardinal
Meadowhawk – 1 pair ovipositing + 1 male
August 28, 2007
Siskiyou
County
Kathy &
Dave Biggs, Doug Vaughan & Doris Kretschmer
Medicine Lake Highlands key: PSW=Pumice Stone Well,
LML=Little Medicine Lake, ML=Medicine Lake, BlL= Blance Lake, Bul=Bullseye Lake
Common
Green Darner Anax junius – several;
all places
Variable
Darner Aeshna interrupta – many,
3 in hand; all places
Darner sp (probably Blue-eyed, possibly others too) – many;
all places
Variegated
Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum
- 1 male; PSW, Bul
Striped
Meadowhawk Sympetrum pallipes
- 1 male; LML, Bul
Western
Meadowhawk Sympetrum occidentale
- 1 male; ML
Tule
Bluet, Enallagma
carunculatum - several (one in
hand); all places
*Boreal
Bluet, Enallagma boreale - several (one in hand) – last sighting 2007
Bluet sp – possibly other species
Pacific
Forktail, Ischnura
cervula - very few; ML
…
Dave Payne
# Brown Bear River Access (milepost 78 or so on highway 96, east of Happy Camp) on the Klamath RiverI did lunch by the river and noticed another large group of Green Darners flying about. Most appeared to be female or immature males. No mature males were seen. There were easily several hundred dragons flitting about. One male Flame Skimmer also appeared. The weather was great, sunny and hot (high 90's) with very little wind. The Green Darners were still in the area when I left around 1 pm. …….
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti*Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta – last report 2007
August 27,
2007
Siskiyou
County
Kathy &
Dave Biggs
Soda Springs, McCloud
Common
Green Darner Anax junius – 50+
Aeshna sp.
– several
Common
Whitetail Libellula lydia – 1 mature male
12-spotted
Skimmer Libellula pulchella, 1 male
Variegated
Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum - 1 male
Pacific
Forktail, Ischnura
cervula - very few
Western
Forktail, Ischnura
perparva - some (no Swift
Forktails seen)
…….
Los Angeles County
Doug Aguillard
Piru Creek off I-5, north of Valencia
Seen upon arrival at 8:30
Red Rock SkimmersPale-faced ClubskimmersSooty Dancers American Rubyspots.
After a while, there were alsoFlame SkimmersBlue-eyed Darners Common Green Darner
I've noticed that Clubtails are always late for the party, and there was no exception in this case, as they started showing up at 10:30 AM. Serpent Ringtail – 3
http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/serpent_ringtail.htm…….Glenn County Doug Vaughan & Doris Kretschmer
Sacramento NWR; a brief lunch stop.Com. Green Darner (Anax junius) -- several
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) -- 2 f, 1 m
…Tehama CountyBattle Creek Wildlife Area, ne. of Red Bluff, 2:00-2:45; 95 deg, clear, light wind. Our only serious stop between the Bay Area and Mt. Shasta (and a brief one).Am. Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) -- 1 m
Pac. Forktail (Ischnura cervula) -- 1 m
Tule/Arroyo Bluets (Enallagma carunculatum/praevarum) -- many
Com. Green Darner -- 2 or 3
Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor) -- 1 m
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) -- 1 f
Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) - 1 m
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) -- several
August 25, 2007San Benito CountyPaul Johnson, Don Roberson
San Benito River at Sawmill Creek(Remote area with rough roads, asbestos hazard) River level low, dry upstream of Sawmill confluence* lavender dancer Argia hinei - 8 (3F5M, tandem pair) [first report 2007 – kb]
sooty dancer - 30
vivid dancer - ?
familiar bluet - 1 (plus several female bluets)
common green darner - a few
red rock skimmer - a few
wandering glider – 1
spot-winged glider - 1
Photos (first 5) are viewable in the Paul Johnson photos folder on CalOdes files:http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/browse/dfa5http://montereybay.com/creagrus/CA-SBT25Aug07.html
…….
Monterey & San Benito Counties
Paul Johnson, Don Roberson
San Lorenzo River, east of King City [all species in both counties]1410-1610 (sunny, breezy) Am Rubyspot 10
Calif Dancer hundreds (many color phases, see CalOdes)
Black-fronted Forktail 12
Western Forktail 2 f
Desert Firetail 15
C. Green Darner 15
Blue-eyed Darner 8
White-belted Ringtail Erpetogomphus compositus 10 (photos upgrade this on the MTY list from a 'sight only' record)
Western Pondhawk 6
Flame Skimmer 25
Variegated Meadowhawk 20
I have updated the White-belted Ringtail page on the MTY Checklist with photos from this trip.See http://montereybay.com/creagrus/WhitebeltedRingtail.htmlAlso included are comparative shots of Serpent Ringtail from Piru Creek, Los Angeles Co., for an identification discussion.
…….
Imperial County
Bob Miller
The tail ends of Dean hit all around the Imperial Valley but we did not get much. There were some stiff winds out of the SE Friday and Saturday though. I spent several hours Saturday afternoon looking for dragons between El Centro and Holtville. Typical things in some of the canals. American Rubyspot, Blue-ringed and Powdered Dancers, Familiar Bluets and Western Pondhawks.
Found an interesting spot that will be worth visiting in the future. On the SE corner of Kamm Road and Hwy 115, which is about 1.5 miles north of the Hwy 115 and Old Hwy 80 intersection NW of Holtville. There is an old Alfalfa dehydration mill on the NE corner. There is a small, very overgrown with Cattails, pond there. Alamo River is less than a mile away. Was surprised at some of the odes found there. Not many damsels as there is not much water exposed. Red Saddlebags - 1f
*Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa - 2m 1f – last report 2007
Comanche Skimmer - 1m 1f
Common Green Darner - 2m
Blue-eyed Darner - 1f
Blue Dasher - 1m 1f
Western Pondhawk - 8
Familiar Bluet - 20
August 19,
2007
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne#I was rafting from Cayuse to Quigley's on the Klamath River. This stretch is about 50 miles east of Happy Camp.
Once again, female Green Darners were en mass and seemed to be traveling west along the river. There were probably several hundred females. I did notice one male Green Darner.I also saw one male Blue-eyed Darner at Gottville River Access. The Green Darner swarms have been interesting, all seem to be heading west along the river. The group in yesterday's report was 70 miles downriver from today's gathering.
August 18, 2007Lassen County
Ray Bruun
Paiute Dancer - 1 male (photograph)
*Emma's Dancer Argia emma - 1
[last report 2007 – kb]
Vivid Dancer - several
River Bluet - all the bluets I checked out were River, but last week
there were several Tule and at least one Familiar (photographs).
Western Forktail - several females
Black-fronted Forktail - common
Common Green Darner - common
Blue-eyed Darner - several
White-belted Ringtail Erpetogomphus
compositus – County record,
photo voucher, CA chart #55, OC# 263183
Great Basin Snaketail Octogomphus morrisoni (probable) - 1
(photograph) - last report 2007
White-belted Ringtail -1 (photograph)
Western Meadowhawk - 1 female
Striped Meadowhawk - 1 female
Western Pondhawk - several females and a couple of males
Desert Whitetail Libellula subornata - 1 male – last report 2007
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - several
Flame Skimmer – common
…….
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
# I noticed today the Green Darners seemed to be massing and moving downriver toward the coast. I was west of Happy Camp today and saw many female Green Darners on the move.There was probably about 75 Green Darners scattered over a mile of river near Swillup Creek. I don't think I saw any males in this group. Other stops included Wyland Gulch (17 miles west of Happy Camp). Here a steady stream and waterfall grace a roadside picnic stop. This is also the patrol area for several male Pacific Spiketails. A few Vivid Dancers were about also. Good blackberries are here also. A stop at Swillup Creek (19 miles west of Happy Cmp) produced a patrolling male River Cruiser. A few Vivid Dancers were also seen here. The Green Darners caught my attention because I have not seen that many this season. Earlier sightings were mostly males, a few scattered females, a few pairs, some ovipositing, that sort of thing. Today it looked like the girls were heading somewhere important.
August 17, 2007Imperial CountyPierre Deviche
West Pond (N. of Yuma),American Rubyspot: 1
Powdered Dancer: 100s
Blue-ringed Dancer: 1M +?1F
Rambur's ForktailBluet sp: 2M
Common Green DarnerWhite-belted Ringtail: ~20
Brimstone Clubtail: NOT!Russet-tipped Clubtail: 1F
Red-tailed Pennant: 1
Western PondhawkComanche Skimmer: 2M + 2F
Widow SkimmerBlue DasherSpot-winged GliderWandering GliderMexican AmberwingBlack Saddlebags…….
Sonoma County
Kathy Biggs
Bigsnest Wildlife Pond,
Sebastopol
Vivid Dancer – on male
Pacific Forktail – a few males & females, ovipositing
Western Forktail – 1 male, 1 female ovipositing
Darner sp.
– 2 ovipositing females, assumed to be Shadow Darners
Darner sp.
– males, assumed to be 1 Shadow Darner & 1 Blue-eyed
Darner exuvia - 3
8-spotted Skimmer – 1 male ‘flyby’
Blue Dasher
– 1 male
Cardinal Meadowhawk – 2 males plus an ovipositing pairs
…….Monterey County Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
upper Arroyo Seco River in Ventana Wilderness (1130-1430)mostly a hike on trails up a bit from river, but we did recordVivid Dancer 20
Pacific Spiketail Cordulegaster dorsalis 2 males patrolling the trail
Walker's Darner 4 males
August 16, 2007 Los Angeles CountyDon Roberson
Piru Creek, Frenchmans Flat (0900-1130; hot ~90 degrees by mid- morning; didn't get much beyond a quarter-mile of creek right at Frenchmans Flat as lots of activity; the paved road is blocked here by gate)American Rubyspot 15
Sooty Dancer 80+
Vivid Dancer 40+
*Northern Bluet Enallagma annexum 3 [last report 2007 – kb]
bluet, sp 40
Arroyo Bluet 5
Black-fronted Forktail 1 m
C. Green Darner 1
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Serpent Ringtail 4 m (phs)
Gray Sanddragon 1 m (RC only)
Pale-faced Clubskimmer 30+ (exceptionally abundant!)
Cardinal Meadowhawk 2
Flame Skimmer 40
Red Rock Skimmer 25+
August 14 & 15, 2007San Bernardino CountyDon Roberson and Rita
Big Morongo Preserve (mostly Mesquite Trail loop)14 Aug (0900-1000; 90 degrees, sunny & calm) and 15 Aug, again, with Rita, after picking her up at Ontario airport, 0915-1030). Of common species, highest count mentionedVivid Dancer 15
C. Green Darner 40
Blue-eyed Darner 8
Flame Skimmer 3
Neon Skimmer 2 (different males at different sites: imm male 14 Aug, d male 15 Aug)
Red Saddlebags 2
Spot-winged Glider 2
Wandering Glider 1
Oasis of Mara, Joshua Tree Nat'l Park, Twentynine Palms (1230; very hot)Spot-winged Glider 2
August 12 & 13, 2007Inyo County Don Roberson
Antelope Spring12 Aug (1310-1420, hot & calm); 13 Aug (0810-0950; getting hot, slight breeze) highest count of either day reported:Vivid Dancer 100+
C. Green Darner 80 (13 Aug)
Blue-eyed Darner 2Pacific Spiketail 1 barely glimpsed, terrible 'corner-of-eye' view as it patrolled the creek very fast
Western Meadowhawk 2
Variegated Meadowhawk 3
Black Saddlebags 1
Spot-winged Glider 1
August 13, 2007
Mono County
Kathy & Dave Biggs, Ron & Barbara Oriti
DeChambeau Ponds, just North of Mono Lake
Dancer sp.
Tule Bluet
Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile - sight only record #7 CA chart
Western Forktail
Common Green Darner
Blue-eyed Darner
Western Pondhawk
8-spotted Skimmer
Flame Skimmer
Blue Dasher
*Saffron-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum costiferum last report 2007
Variegated Meadowhawk
Black Saddlebags
….
Paul G. Johnson
Mono CountyOwens River, upstream of Control Gorge Power Plant-vivid dancer - abundant
-black saddlebags - common
-flame skimmer - 1
-mosaic darner - common
-common green darner - common
-Pacific spiketail - 1 possible sighting
Owens River upstream of Benton Road xing-bluet spp. - common-variegated meadowhawk - common-saffron-winged meadowhawk - 1-Great Basin(?) snaketail - 1(photo)-common green darner – few…….Inyo CountyDon Roberson
Scottys Castle (1200-1230; hot & breezy)Vivid Dancer 5
C. Green Darner 2
Flame Skimmer 2
Variegated Meadowhawk 1
Wildrose Spring, Panamint Mts (1430-1515, very hot ~105 degrees)Vivid Dancer 3
Flame Skimmer 4
Water Canyon, just north of Trono SBE [1600, very very very hot][California's only Riffle Darner was from "Water Canyon, Inyo Co." -- this is the only Water Canyon in INY that I found on the map.It is a broad absolutely dry wash, with no apparent vegetation visible in either direction from Hwy 178. Maybe this is the wrong spot?]In any event, no odes at all.]
August 12, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
1,000 Palms Oasis,
Coachella Valley Preserve; 11:15-12:15, sunny, calm, 105 degrees.
Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 1M in hand
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 17
Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 4M
Neon Skimmer, Libellula croceipennis 1M2F
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 2
Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 1
…….Inyo County Don Roberson
Tollhouse Springs (1200-1230; hot, ~90+ degrees)C. Green Darner 1 fem perched (ph)
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Mono County Cottonwood Creek [a short quarter-mile stretch within Mono before it dips back into Inyo Co.; 1500-1530)Vivid Dancer 2
Blue-eyed Darner 2
Red Saddlebags 1
Spot-winged Glider 6 (phs, including one perched)
Wandering Glider 3 (flight photo)
August 10, 2007 (CalOdes Blitz III)Inyo CountyPaul Johnson, Doug Aguillard, Kathy & Dave Biggs, Bob Miller, Jim (from NV), Ray & Steven Bruun, Ron & Barbara OritiChalk Cliffs (a.m.)1) Paiute dancer http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/paiute_dancer.htm http://bruunphotography.com/damselflies_081007.html
2) vivid dancer3) black-fronted forktail4) familiar bluet5) common green darner http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.html
6) blue-eyed darner http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.html
7) gray sanddragon8) variegated meadowhawk9) western meadowhawk http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.html
10) blue dasher11) eight-spotted skimmer12) flame skimmer http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.html
13) black saddlebags http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.html
14) western pondhawk
Mill Pond (p.m.) (Kathy & Barbara only)15) red saddlebagsMono County
Fish Slough (p.m.)16) Pacific forktail17) paddle-tailed darner http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/paddle.htm http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.html
18) hoary skimmer Libellula nodisticta last report 2007
http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/hoary_skimmer.htm http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.html http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/hoaryF_pruinose07.jpg
Blue eyed Darner http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/Dragonfly_Pages/blue-eyed_darners.htm
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis – Photo Voucher Ron Oriti CA Chart #96
August 11, 2007 (CalOdes Blitz III)Paul Johnson, Doug Aguillard, Kathy & Dave Biggs, Bob Miller, Jim (from NV), Ray & Steven Bruun, David & Linda Blue, Ron & Barbara Oriti
Mono CountyWhitmore Hot Spring (a.m.)19) spotted spreadwing20) California dancer – 2 females collected by Biggs and determined by Rosser Garrison to be Argia agrioides CA Chart #7 OC #263903
21) saffron-winged meadowhawk http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/saffron.htm
http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.html
22) *Desert Whitetail Libellula/Plathemis subornata – Kathy caught specimens to scan
for her website(s) and they will be the county documentation OC# 262877:
http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/DwhitetailmMtop.jpg
http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/dwhitemMside.jpg
http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/dwhiteYMtop.jpg
http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/dwhiteYMside.jpg
http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/dwhiteFtop.jpg
http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/dwhiteFside.jpg
http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/desert_whitetail.htm http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.htmlLittle Hot Creek (a.m.)23) Tule bluet24) *alkali bluet Enallagma clausum [last report 2007 – kb]
25) striped meadowhawk26) black meadowhawk …Inyo County
Klondike Lake (p.m.)27) bleached skimmer Libellula composita – last sighting 2007
Antelope Spring (Inyo Co.) (p.m.)28) wandering glider29) spot-winged glider30) Pacific spiketail (1 male, 3 exuvia)
Blue eyed Darner http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/Dragonfly_Pages/blue-eyed_darners.htm
Western Meadowhawk http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/western_meadowhawk.htm
Blue Dasher http://bruunphotography.com/dragonflies_081007.html
…….Ventura County
Doug WillickSpot-winged Glider – one photographed
.
August 12, 2007Inyo CountyPaul Johnson, Doug Aguillard, Kathy & Dave Biggs, Bob Miller, Jim (from NV), Ray & Steven Bruun, David & Linda Blue, Ron & Barbara OritiKlondike Lake (a.m.)31) river bluet http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/river_bluet.htm
Owens River 1 mile SE Klondike Lake (Inyo Co.) (a.m.)32) Olive Clubtail http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/olive_clubtail.htm
Not Mazourka Spring (p.m.)33) desert firetail
Ponds off Mazourka Rd. (Inyo Co.) (p.m.)34) American rubyspot
Owens River overflow channel N of Mazourka Rd. (Inyo Co.) (p.m.)35) desert forktail
Pre-trip (Kathy and Dave):36) blue-ringed dancer37) Emma's dancer38) red-veined meadowhawk
August 11, 2007 San Francisco CountyDoug VaughanFt. Point in San Francisco.Amid countless tourists, *San Francisco Forktails [last report 2007 – kb] continue to fly in the wet ditch on the south side of the road just east of Ft. Point.
During a 10- or 15-minute visit (my first to this spot) this afternoon, my wife and I saw 4 or 5 males and at least 2 presumed females. One male was examined in hand and released. A few unidentified bluets were also present. Not a place to tarry and enjoy the wildness of the natural world, but one can at least marvel at the presence of this sparsely distributed species in such an unlikely place.
August 9, 2007
Inyo County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Bristle Cone NM, 10,000 ft. elevation -received
permission to do catch & release on a darner swam
Blue-eyed Darner – 3 caught & released, all females of this species
August 8, 2007
Matt Heindel
Los Angeles County
Carlsbad, just east of the freeway (I-5)
We have a small pond (and mini-waterfall). In each of
the four summers, we have had Neon Skimmers, but usually for short
durations (as opposed to the Flame Skimmer, which is present daily
during the summer). This year, I first noted a Neon in early July and thanks to
the prompting of David Blue, I sent it to Kathy as he mentioned no one had
reported it flying. Twice in the intervening four weeks I have seen the Neon;
on two occasions this year (as with years past) I had both males perched within
a couple feet of each other, allowing for nice comparisons (of course in these
cases, they are so different than it is more for fun than to truly learn anything,
as they appear so different..
Other than flyover darners and gliders, Flame
Skimmer and Blue Dasher are the likely large odes at our house.
(Smaller odes are primarily Black-fronted Forktail and Familiar Bluet.)
If someone really wants to see Neon, they are welcome to check in to see if
we are here (or if not walk around the back, but do note our neighborhood has a
good watch program!), but given the irregularity with which I see Neon, not
sure it is likely to pay great returns.
August 7,
2007
Inyo
County
Kathy and
Dave Biggs
Deep
Springs, Hwy 168 – asked for and received permission to drive into College
grounds
In the
fields:
- Common Green Darner Anax junius
- Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor
- Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata
- Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens
- Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum
corruptum
- Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata
At the Deep Spring:
- Paiute
Dancer Argia alberta
- Vivid
Dancer Argia vivida
- Darner sp. Aeshna/Rhionaeschna sp.
- Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula
- Western Forktail Ischnura perparva
- Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis
- Western Pondhawk Erythemis collocata
- Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis
- Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta
- Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata
- Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum
corruptum
August 6, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Lake Fulmor, San Jacinto
Mountains; 9:30-11:30, sunny, calm, 65-70 degrees.
Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum 6 (3 in hand)
Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula ~20
including one female ovipositiing.
Rhionaeschna sp. ~8, two seen well as multicolor,
the remainder seemed californica, but only seen on the fly.
Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum 3
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 2
August 5, 2007
Imperial County
Peter Siminski
Fig Lagoon; 8:00-11:30,
sunny, calm, 90-100 degrees
Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta 1
Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 8
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile ~70 including a
dozen wheels.
Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 2
Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 14
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 4 including one
tandem pair.
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 4
Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa 100+
Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 5
Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 4
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 4
Red Saddelbags, Tramea onusta 6
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 2
Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 4
Note: Great numbers of dead
threadfin shad floating on the water. Several Bordered Patch nectaring on Tamarix.
August 4, 2007San Diego CountyDon RobersonGreen Valley Falls, Sweetwater River, Cuyamacha SP (0830-1030, 85 degrees & hot & calm)$6 day-use fee; had to park at entrance and walk about a mile to the falls (no day-use parking open), checking various spots on the river en route. The river was very low... just a series of small puddles, really, until the trickling falls, which are nice. My list is entirely unlike any other lists I've seen from this site, and I worked pretty hard during my two hours:Vivid Dancer 20+
*Walker's Darner Aeshna walkeri 1
Red Rock Skimmer 12
Lindo Lake, near Lakeview (1100-1145, 88 degrees, hot & calm)Black-fronted Forktail 4
C. Green Darner 10+
Blue Dasher 50
Flame Skimmer 4 (ph)
Mexican Amberwing 12 (ph)
Spot-winged Glider 1 perched (ph)
Neon Skimmer one
August 3, 2007San Diego County Don Roberson
Culp Valley, Anza-Borrego SP (1700-1730; 90 degrees+, sunny & calm)I was trying to find "Paroli Springs," a spot visited by Paul Johnson in previous years. I could not find reference to this spring on the on-line maps, but did see Pena Spring in Culp Valley. So I located that spot at the end of a dirt road -- or actually, located a trailhead for a half-mile hile to Pena Spring. The trail proved to be straight uphill in a series of switchbacks. I was exhausted and the time was getting late. Never made it to the springs but was surprised to see odes flying across the barren desert and going upslope near dusk: darner, sp 1,
Black Saddlebags 1
Wandering Glider 1
I wondered whether they were heading to the spring to roost or, rather, heading uphill from the unfound Paroli Spring to a roosting spot far from water. Mysteries, just mysteries.
Imperial County Westside Main Canal @ Hwy 98, west of Calexico (0815-1015; 100 degrees, hot & sunny, no wind)American Rubyspot 2
Powdered Dancer 100+
C. Green Darner 3
Blue-eyed Darner 1+
White-belted Ringtail 4 (ph)
*Brimstone Clubtail Stylurus intricatus 2 (pair in tandem; ph) [last report 2007 – kb]
Roseate Skimmer 2+
Red Saddlebags 6
Wandering Glider 2
Hdqs., Sonny Bono NWR (1100-1130; 104 degrees, calm)Blue Dasher 30
Roseate Skimmer 3
Red Saddlebags 5
Wandering Glider 6
Eastside Main Canal, E end of Sinclair (1145-1230; 105 degrees, hot & calm)Powdered Dancer 25
Blue-ringed Dancer 2
Roseate Skimmer 1 m (ph)
Westside Main Canal @ Hwy 98, west of Calexico (1430-1445; 106+ degrees, sunny & slight breeze)Powdered Dancer 40
Russet-tipped Clubtail 1 (ph)
Photos and more of a story are now available at http://montereybay.com/creagrus/CA-IMP3Au07.html
…….
Tuolumne County
Ron and Barbara Oriti
Twain Heart – in a small field that was surrounded by
willows and some other trees, very close to the Twain Harte grocery store
Olive Clubtail Stylurus
olivaceus – male photographed [new county record, CA Chart # 100, OC#284474]
Widow Skimmer - photographed
Lyons Reservoir, east of Twain Heat - not
out at the main lake, but along a small, quiet arm where a small creek
entered.
Widow Skimmers
Common Whitetails
12-spots
July
July 30, 2007
San Bernardino County
Peter Siminski
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Neon Skimmers 4
…….
San Bernardino County
Peter Siminski
Big Morongo Canyon
Preserve: 8:30 - 10:30, sunny, 85 - 95 degrees, calm.
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida ~30
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 4
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 3
Neon Skimmer, Libellula croceipennis 3M1F, female
ovipositing.
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 12
Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea ~40
July 28, 2007 Santa Barbara County Don Roberson & Rita Carratello Santa Ynez River at Paradise Rd., (1015-1415; hot, sunny but breezy, 88 degrees, partly cloudy in p.m.)Some of area recently burned; portions of river closed until mid-day due to recent fireAmerican Rubyspot 2 m
Calif. Dancer 15 (plus some teneral dancers, can't rule out Vivid also)
Sooty Dancer 100+, incl. many tandems and many blue youngsters/females
Northern Bluet 20 (2 males examined; females & tenerals i.d. is assumed only)
Blue-eyed Darner 2
Giant Darner 5
Gray Sanddragon 4 m
*Serpent Ringtail Erpetogomphus lampropeltis 1 m
Pale-faced Clubskimmer 4 m
Western Pondhawk 10
Cardinal Meadowhawk 3
Flame Skimmer 50
Red Rock Skimmer 40
Wandering Glider 1
story and view images:http://montereybay.com/creagrus/CA-SBA-ParadiseRoad.html…….San Mateo CountyJan Hintermeister, Debbi Brusco & Karen DeMelloWe took the short walk around Horseshoe Lake at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (see www.openspace.org for preserve info):DESERT FIRETAIL - one
FLAME SKIMMERS - dozens
EIGHT-SPOTTED SKIMMERS
CARDINAL MEADOWHAWKBLACK SADDLEBAGSWESTERN PONDHAWKCOMMON GREEN DARNER,Aeshna sp. DARNERS.
July 29, 2007
Placer County
Margaret and Steve Martan
We live in Roseville, CA 20 miles east of Sacramento and 20 miles west of
Auburn and the foothills. Neon Skimmer – 2 males
July 25, 2007San Benito CountyPaul G. Johnson
Pinnacles National Monument, Bear Gulch Reservoir1330-1815, 80-95F, breezy-no/bo bluet – hundreds
-CA dancer – 6 (ID in hand)
-western forktail – 10
-desert firetail – 8
-common green darner – 2m
-blue-eyed darner – 4 (pair in mating wheel)
-white-belted ringtail – 1
-gray sanddragon – 1
-cardinal meadowhawk – 1
-western pondhawk – 1
-common whitetail – 2
-flame skimmer – 10
-black saddlebags – b-wandering glider – 1
Bear Gulch Visitor Center, 1230-pale-faced clubskimmer - 1
July 23, 2007Plumas County Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Willow Lake (1000-1145; calm & hot & sunny; worked spaghnum bogs both ends of lake)Vivid Dancer 15
No/Bo Bluet 30
Pacific Forktail 10
Western Forktail 20
*Western Red Damsel Amphiagrion abbreviatum 2 male – last sighting 2007
*Sedge Sprite Nehalennia irene 5, inc. two tandems – last sighting 2007
C. Green Darner 1 m
Paddle-tailed Darner 4 m
*American Emerald Cordulia shurtleffi - 1 m [last report 2007 – kb]
*Dot-tailed Whiteface Leucorrhinia intacta 5 – last sighting 2007
*Hudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica 3 – last sighting 2007
Striped Meadowhawk 6
Variegated Meadowhawk 1 fem
White-faced Meadowhawk 20+, inc. some full males but many tenerals
*Four-spotted Skimmer 2 [last date reported in 2007 – kb]
Twelve-spotted Skimmer 1
July 22, 2007Siskiyou County Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Gumboot Lake (0830-1030; bright & warm but odes mostly absent until 0945, then abundant)pond spreadwing, sp - 1 teneral; photos to be studiedVivid Dancer 15
Bo/No Bluet 50+; one male netted was Boreal
mosaic darner, probably Variable 6 (flight photos to be reviewed)
American Emerald 6, including perched fem (phs)
* *Ringed Emerald Somatochlora albicincta 1 perched femaile (ph) – ONLY sighting 2007
Hudsonian Whiteface 1 imm female
Striped Meadowhawk 3
Twelve-spotted Skimmer 25
Gumboot Creek (1045-1200 -- this is the outflow creek from the lake where it crosses paved Rd 26 just beyond the turnoff to Gumboot Lake; this is an absolutely gorgeous spot with Darlingtonia pitcher plants)Vivid Dancer 10
Bo/No Bluet 7
Variable Darner 2; 1 male perched (phs)
Shadow Darner 1 fem perched (phs)
Pacific Spiketail 2: 1 male patrolling, 1 female ovipositing (see below)
The female Spiketail was found ovipositing in a small shallow corner of the crystal clear creek. The performance was unbelievably spectacular -- and I managed photos. Please see a page with more details and a few shots at http://montereybay.com/creagrus/Spiketail-oviposit.html
http://montereybay.com/creagrus/CA-SIS-Gumboot.htmlTrinity County
Picayune Lake & vicinity (1245-1500)Seeps along road 40N45:Vivid Dancer 10,
12-spot Skimmer 3, and
*Black Petaltail Tanypteryx hageni -1 male. – last sighting 2007
Kathy & Dave reported in 2005 that all the seeps had several petaltails... this was not our experience.I scrambled & climbed high up the steep hillside following each seep to up high, following the Darlingtonias uphill, but it took nearly an hour to find a single petaltail. The spot was hard to reach for Rita and by the time she got there it was gone.Vernal pond on gated side road to Picayune Lakespreadwings galore! 30+ in a short visit, those whose appendages were studied were:*Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryas 3 (including a teneral male) [last report 2007 – kb]
Northern Spreadwing 5
* *Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus 2 [only sighting in 2007!!]
mosaic darner 7, incl. ovipositing fem & perched male (photos need to be
studied; most seem likely to be Variable but some may have been other species)American Emerald 4
Emerald, sp 2 -- another it flight was likely Mt
Common Whitetail 3 (ph)
Twelve-spotted Skimmer 20
Picayune Lake edge/bogmosaic darner, likely Variable 4
* *Mountain Emerald Somatochlora semicircularis 2 nice males (ph) - ONLY sighting 2007
http://montereybay.com/creagrus/CA-TRI-Picayune.html
July 21, 2007
Orange County
Doug Willick
City of Orange, East side of the Santa Ana River
Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata – one male photographed, CA Chart #98
mid July, 2007
Inyo/Mono County
Ron and Barbara Oriti
Various areas
Flame Skimmer
Variegated Meadowhawk
Western Meadowhawk
July 15, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos
Palmas Oasis and San Andres Oasis; 7:00-11:30, sunny, 85-104 degrees, calm.
Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 11
Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 1
Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 1M
Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 14
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 26, two tandem
pairs, one tandem ovipositing.
Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 1
Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 60+, one female
ovipositing.
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 100s
Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 26, one female
ovipositing.
Widow Skimmer, Libellula luctuosa 11M
Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata 25, three pairs tandem
ovipositing, one wheel.
Black Saddelbags, Tramea lacerata 24
Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 9
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 2
July 14, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Lake Tamarisk just
north of Desert Center; 13:00-13:20, 105 degrees, high cirrus,
moderate wind 15mph.
Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta 1M
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 3
Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 2F
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 1M
…
Imperial County
Peter Siminski
Palo Verde County
Park about 12 miles south of Blythe; 9:00-11:30, 95 - 102 degrees, high
cirrus, windy 15 - 20 mph.
*Double-striped Bluet, Enallagma basidens 1 [last report 2007 – kb]
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile ~20, several pairs
tandem ovipositing.
Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 3
Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 1
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 6
Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 7M1F
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis ~60
Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa 1
Widow Skimmer, Libellula luctuosa ~50
Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 2F
Black Saddelbags, Tramea lacerata ~20
Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 8
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 3
Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea ~30
July 12,
2007
Siskiyou County
David Payne
Grider Creek CG and PCT
Pacific Spiketail - 4 males, 3 were on a different trib creeks feeding Grider Creek.
One male perched (hung) on a bush in the campground parking lot. He let us approach to within one foot before flying off. Folks were amazed by his impressive size and eye color.*Sinuous Snaketail Ophiogomphus occidentis - 3 males were flying and perching about the gravel parking area.
Folks were amused by the name. – last sighting 2007Vivid Dancer - I found one bright blue male perched on poison oak
……Colusa CountyKathy and Dave BiggsBear Creek – 4:00-4:30, from the road only, 86 degrees(no Rubyspots seen)CA/AZ DancerBlue type BluetTule type BluetsGiant DarnerWhite-belted Ringtail – 1 male
Widow Skimmer– 3 malew
Flame Skimmer– many
Variegated Meadowhawk – dozens
Black Saddlebags – 2
July 10,
2007
Siskiyou
County
Kathy &
Dave Biggs
‘Dragonfly Roost Pond’, our yard, Mt. Shasta Forest,
east of McCloud, elevation 4700’
We added 3 more species to our pond list: A female
Shadow Darner, a male Common Whitetail, and a Variegated Meadowhawk.
This brings our species list there to 12.
Species on the pond were
*Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa – 1 female
Aeshna sp.
– 1-2 males
12-spotted
Skimmer, 2 males
Common
Whitetail Libellula lydia – 1 mature male
Variegated
Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum - 1 male
(no damsels seen this day!)
July 13, 2007Kern County
Paul G. Johnson
Lake Ming, NE Bakersfield 1545-1615Emma’s dancer – 1 (southern most record???)
Pacific forktail - 2
Mosaic Darner sp.- 1
Variegated meadowhawk – 1
Blue dasher – 2
…….Santa Clara County John Hall, David Edwards
Monte Bello OSPSeep areaVivid Dancer 30
Pacific Forktail 4
Paddle-tailed Darner 1 photo
Mosaic Darner,sp 1
Pacific Spiketail 6
Cardinal Meadowhawk 1
PondNorthern Spreadwing 12
Black Spreadwing 1
Pond Spreadwing, sp 1
Tule Bluet 3
Bluet,sp 150
Arroyo Bluet 40
Pacific Forktail 20
Western Forktail 4
Paddle-tailed Darner 1
Mosaic Darner,sp 2
Common Green Darner 2
Blue-eyed Darner 3
Pacific Spiketail 1
Eight-spotted Skimmer 15
Widow Skimmer 1
Flame Skimmer 25
Blue Dasher 50
Common Whitetail 4
Cardinal Meadowhawk 10
Red-veined Meadowhawk 4
Striped Meadowhawk Black Saddlebags 3
San Mateo County
Skyline Ridge OSPAlpine PondNorthern Spreadwing 1
California Dancer 12
Tule Bluet 1
Arroyo Bluet 4
Pacific Forktail 15
Mosaic Darner,sp 2
Eight-spotted Skimmer 8
Widow Skimmer 2
Flame Skimmer 15
Blue Dasher 15
Black Saddlebags 3
Horseshoe LakeNorthern Spreadwing 1
California Dancer 50
Tule Bluet 9
Boreal/Northern Bluet 1
Arroyo Bluet 3
Pacific Forktail 7
Mosaic Darner,sp 4
Common Green Darner 4
Blue-eyed Darner 3
Western Pondhawk 6
Eight-spotted Skimmer 35
Widow Skimmer 2
Flame Skimmer 50
Blue Dasher 20
Common Whitetail 1
Black Saddlebags 5
July 8, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
CDFG San Jacinto Wildlife Area; 8:30a.m. - 12noon,
sunny, 85 - 95 degrees, calm to lightwind.
Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum 2 (one in hand).
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 100s (4 in hand), several tandems and
some ovipositing.
Common Green Darner, Anax junius ~20, one tandem, one tandem ovipositing.
*California Darner, Rhionaeschna californica 3 – last sighting 2007
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor ~15, one tandem pair.
Gray Sanddragon, Progomphus borealis 1F
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 3M2F
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 15M5F
Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa 5M3F
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 1M1F
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata ~25
Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 15, one wheel.
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens ~40, several tandems and several wheels.
Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 6
…….
Sacramento County
Chris Conard and Kimya Lambert
American River Parkway behind Rio Americano High School
*Olive Clubtail Stylurus olivaceus
Blue Dasher
Variegated Meadowhawk
Western Pondhawk (female photoed)
Widow Skimmer
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Flame Skimmer
Common Whitetail – male and female
Spreadwing
sp
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/cconard/4610/Darners%2C+admirals%2C+and+even+a+few+birds.html
…….
Sacramento County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Glenbrook Park, American River Parkway, Sacramento10-11 a.m., hot (~88 degrees) & sunny; didn't search for damsels at allOlive Clubtail 1 m (photo)
Com Whitetail 3
Flame Skimmer 2
Widow Skimmer 5
12-spot Skimmer 1
Wandering Glider 20+
…….Tehama CountyRay Bruun
Brokeoff Mountain trail in Lassen ParkVariable Darner Aeshna interrupta – sight record only; CA Chart #55
July 7, 2007
San Diego County
Peter Siminski
Santa Margarita River below Sandia Creek Road,
Fallbrook; 9:40a.m. - 1:30p.m.,
sunny, 80 - 90 degrees, calm to light wind.
American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana 2M2F
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 2
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile ~18 (2 in hand), one ovipositing tandem.
Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma praevarum ~40 (5 in hand), 5 tandems ovipositing.
Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula 8, two females ovipositing.
Black-fronted Forktail, Ischnura denticollis 2
Desert Firetail, Telebasis salva 10
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 13M2F, one tandem pair.
Giant Darner, Anax walsinghami 1M
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 1M
Gray Sanddragon, Progomphus borealis 2M1F, one very fresh teneral hanging at
about 10:30a.m..
Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum 1M
Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 8M
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 1M
Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa 7M
Common Whitetail, Plathemis lydia 1M
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata ~20, one female ovipositing.
Red Rock Skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes 5M1F
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 10, two tandem pairs, one female ovipositing
alone.
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 1
…….Lassen County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Silver Lake 0830-1000 (there is a N end and E end to roads around the lake, but the best spot by far was a marshy area right at Silver Beach picnic area; warm & sunny)Emerald Spreadwing 1 m
Sooty Dancer (2 females; photo'd) - Silver Lake. They were unexpected there and I now see that there is no record for Plumas County,
which is just a very short distance away.
Northern Bluet 1 m netted; 50+ No/Bo types may have been all Northern
Tule Bluet 30*Taiga Bluet Coenagrion resolutum 2 m (photos) – last sighting 2007
W. Forktail 15
C. Green Darner 1 in flight (ph)
*Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta 1 in flight (ph)
Hudsonian Whiteface 100 (ph)
*Crimson-ringed Whiteface Leucorrhinia glacialis 2 m (ph) – last sighting 2007
4-spot Skimmer 40
8-spot Skimmer 2
Cooper Swamp (1015-1100; hot & sunny -- could have stayed longer but wanted to get to Willow Lk)No/Bo bluet 15
Tule Bluet 10
Taiga Bluet 2 (ph)
Black-fronted Forktail 4 (ph)
West Forktail 5
*Grappletail Octogomphus specularis 1 m [last report 2007 – kb]
American Emerald 1 m -- fabulous views of a foraging and often-perching male at the edge of the swamp (phs)
meadowhawk,
sp 2 teneral
…
Plumas County
Willow Lake 1230-1600 (up to 93 degrees, mostly sunny, occ breeze; we worked the sphagnum bog at both ends of lake, plus E shore, plus the outlet stream, plus farther downstream in meadows to attempt a broad cross-section of habitats). Most say that the little pools full of red sundews within the sphagnum bog were very impressive!Vivid Dancer 40
No/Bo bluet 80; 1 m netted was Northern
Tule Bluet 5
Pacific Forktail 10
Western Forktail 40
*Sedge Sprite Nehalennia irene 4
Paddle-tailed Darner 6 (3 photo'd in flight)
*American Emerald Cordulia shurtleffi 3 in flight, including an ovipositing female
*Chalk-fronted Corporal Libellula julia 1 m – last report 2007
Hudsonian Whiteface 100+: habitat preference was on the bog and in open meadows
Dot-tailed Whiteface 30 -- distinctive habitat preference on ponds with lily pads within the bog
4-spot Skimmer 40
8-spot Skimmer 4
12-spot Skimmer 1 f
White-faced Meadowhawk 2 fem (ph)
……
Lassen CountyPaul Johnson with Joe Smith, Jenn Tiehm, and Liam O’BrienLittle Willow Lake. We were scouting the area for the Lassen butterfly count the next day. Needless to say, I was distracted by the odes. We were there from 5-6 p.m., but still I managed to see a few. Species included Emerald spreadwingHudsonian whitefaceCrimson-ringed whitefaces - my first ever
Predation on Zygopterans was common, with robber flies eating a bluet and an emerald? spreadwing, and a whiteface eating a damsel. Images are at: http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/browse/dfa5
July 6,
2007
Modoc County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Modoc NWR, Dorris Reservoir (0710-0810; warm & sunny despite being early)bluet, sp (possibly Tule or Familiar) 1 f (netted) + 10+ seen
Alkali Bluet 7 (5 m, 2 f -- 2 netted)
8-spot Skimmer 7
Modoc NWR, tour route (0815-1015; 90 degrees & warming, partly cloudy, calm)No/Bo bluet 15+
Tule Bluet 300 (est)
W Forktail 50+
C. Green Darner 8
mosaic darner 4 (Blue-eyed?)
C Whitetail 4
Western Pondhawk 40
8-spot Skimmer 100+
12-spot Skimmer 5
and a veritable bonanza of emerging meadowhawks in the hundreds, of which these were identified:Striped Meadowhawk 3, incl pair in wheel
Variegated Meadowhawk 10+
Western Meadowhawk 3 (1 m, 2 f)
*Black Meadowhawk Sympetrum danae 2 (1 m, 1 f)
*Saffron-winged Meadowhawk S. costiferum 3 fem-types
*White-faced Meadowhawk S. obtrusum 1 fem-type
* *Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum internum 15, inc. 10 full or mostly-full-colored males, 5+ females – ONLY report 2007
North fork Pit River (9.5 mi N of Alturas where there is easy access to river via a huge wide pullout on west side of 395; 113-=1215; 95 degrees)Am Rubyspot 8
*River Jewelwing Calopteryx aequabilis 6 [last report 2007 – kb]
Sooty Dancer 40
Emma's Dancer 1
No/Bo bluet 50
*Pale Snaketail Ophiogomphus severus 1 spectacular male perched on rocks in river, and approached closely (phs) – last sighting 2007
C. Whitetail 1 m
8-spot Skimmer 15
12-spot Skimmer 2
…Lassen County
Ash Creek Campground, s.e. of Adin1330-1500; warm but cloudy, then a thundershower over last hour of visitAm Rubyspot 8
River Jewelwing 2
Vivid Dancer 15
No/Bo bluet 40+
Western Forktail 10
Grappletail 50+ (not quite as abundant as the 100+ in June but still just everywhere)
Great Basin Snaketail 20
Dot-tailed Whiteface 1
8-spot Skimmer 30
12-spot Skimmer 3
July 5, 2007
Los Angeles County
Matt Heindel
I had a male *Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis at my backyard pond- my first of the year. It is a
small pond, but I get to see Flame and Neon together during the summer.
…….
Lassen County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
I retraced much of my early June trip to Modoc & Lassen counties with Rita, and we did well in refinding much of what she had previously missed. We added a few 'new' spots for us as well, and a visit to Plumas County also. Some overall impressions: (a) river levels had dropped in the far northeast from June, making access easier on the Pit River and odes abundant; (b) meadowhawks were just emerging in most places -- Modoc NWR proved to be a bonanza; (c) spreadwings were almost entirely absent in the places we visited -- perhaps not yet emerged at higher elevations?; (d) W Red Damsel was missing from many locales I had found it in June, and we missed it entirely; (e) at higher elevations in LAS/PLU, Hudsonian Whitefaces were abundant but Crimson-ringeds were very scarce (a bit early?) and we found none of the Crimson-ringed/Belted ilk at Willow Lake, despite fine weather; and (f) what a difference there is between years at the same site on the same date. For example, on 7 July 2005, Hall & Edwards spent 4 hours at Willow Lake PLU and reported 40 Chalk-fronted Corporals. We spent almost
4 hours at Willow Lake on 7 July 2007, and worked hard for exactly one (1) corporal.Here is a chronological report:Zamboni Hot Springs & Long Valley Creek (98 degrees, calm & sunny; 0945-1115)Pauite Dancer 40
Western Forktail 50
Black-fronted Forktail 20
Blue-eyed Darner 10, inc pair in wheel
Gray Sanddragon 1 m on sand bars in creek
Western Pondhawk 80
Western Meadowhawk 1 f (photo)
meadowhawk, sp 5 tenerals
8-spot Skimmer 30
Comanche Skimmer 1 f (ph)
Hoary Skimmer 5 m (ph)
Flame Skimmer 15
Black Saddlebags 2 (pair in tandem flight)
Secret Creek @ Karlo Road (1230-1320; over 100 degrees, calm & sunny)Am Rubyspot 2
Aztec Dancer 1 m (netted)
a veritable treasure trove of bluets (hundreds), inc:Boreal Bluet 1 m netted
Northern Bluet 1 m netted (there were 100s of No/Bo types)
Tule Bluet 7 (1 m netted)
*River Bluet Enallagma anna 1 m (netted; photo'd)
Pacific Forktail 10
Black-fronted Forktail 10
Western Forktail 50
C. Whitetail 3
8-spot Skimmer 10 (plus others floating dead in stream; used as perches for bluets)
Flame Skimmer 6
meadowhawk, sp 1 teneral
Blue Lake (1430-1545; now partly cloudy but still 95 degrees)Vivid Dancer 5
No/Bo bluet 80
Tule Bluet 10
Pacific Forktail 25
Western Forktail 40
mosaic darner, sp 2
*Spiny Baskettail Epitheca spinigera 2 m -- unfortunately, this time none were found perched – last sighting 2007
and the ones seen were in flight over the lake at some distance, so i.d. is presumptive on locale only [I photographed this species emerging here in June]Dot-tailed Whiteface 1 m
Western Pondhawk 25
Com Whitetail 10
4-spot Skimmer 20
8-spot Skimmer 20
12-spot Skimmer 2
July 4, 2007
Colusa County
Chris
Conard and Kimya Lambert
Bear Creek
American Rubyspot
Sooty Dancers - quite a few
Giant
Darners 20+ (2+ at every stop)
Gray
Sanddragons 5-6
White-belted
Ringtail
Pale-faced
Clubskimmer.
I got lucky and managed some decent photos of the
Giant Darner and some other species:
http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/cconard/4610/Darners%2C+admirals%2C+and+even+a+few+birds.html
…….
Sacramento County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Dry Creek, Elverta (where the creek cross below Elverta Road, just south of Gibson Ranch County Park) 3-4 p.m.; very very hot, likely ~110 degrees, sunny & calm. The creek still has much water and lots of kids were swimming under the bridge. We went downstream, which was full of odes, but was also a homeless encampment that made us uncomfortable, esp. when a drunk guy start yelling that someone had stolen his "sh--t". Still, many odes along the creek, including an amazing hatch of meadowhawks.Am Rubyspot 2
Cal-type dancer 10
Vivid Dancer 30
Emma's Dancer 6 (photo)
Pacific Forktail 1 f
White-belted Ringtail 4 (phs)
Pale-faced Clubskimmer 1 m watched skimming and then perching in root tangle above water (ph)
Variegated Meadowhawk 100+ (ph), just 'swarming' in some bushes
Striped Meadowhawk 5
Western Pondhawk 8
Blue Dasher 20
Flame Skimmer 5
Widow Skimmer 1 m
12-spot Skimmer 2 m
July 3, 2007
Inyo County
Ron and Barbara Oriti
Hot Creek north of Bishop
*Desert Whitetail Libellula subornata - lots - while we only saw a couple at the creek itself, near
one of the hot springs to the east, there were swarms of them, both flying
and perching on the bushes. There were perhaps 40 or 50 around at
any given time. It was wonderful to see so many!
Also, we have seen a few
Whitetails at Fish Slough, since the third or fourth week of June, and
continuing on into July. We are out there regularly, and there are
always some whitetails around. Actually, Fish Slough has a pretty
good variety of dragonflies. One place always has Hoary Skimmers
and Gray Sanddragons, which are both fun to see. Then
there are Common Green Darners, Blue-eyed Darners, or one like
him, Black Saddlebags, Flame Skimmers,
Four-spotted Skimmers, Eight-spotted Skimmers, Blue Dashers, Western
Pondhawks, and at least a couple types of Meadowhawks. There
are also damselflies, but I have trouble identifying them,
Buckley Ponds has all those mentioned
above except for the Whitetails, Hoary Skimmers, and Four-spots. We
were delighted to discover Sanddragons there, and could actually see 8 or 9 at
one time! They sit fairly quietly, and Ron got some good photos of
them.
Discovered some American
Rubyspots along the Owens River when we were out there a few days
ago. There were 4 active males flying around, and a couple
females. < Saw a pair mating, which is most useful
for getting a positive ID on both male and female! > They are
really pretty!!
July 1,
2007
Siskiyou
County
Kathy &
Dave Biggs
Oregon Slough @ road A28, north of Montague
Dave and I stopped for a few minutes at this inviting
creek to see if any Jewelwings were there.
They weren’t, but we did see a few Odes:
Bluet sp.- several pairs ovipositing
Pacific
Forktail – one female
8-spotted
Skimmer – 2 males
Common
Whitetail – 1 male
Flame Skimmer – 1 male
…….
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Blythe area: Mayflower County Park (MCP) along the
Colorado River primarily the park lagoon, and then the Palo Verde
Irrigation Canal (PV); 9:30a.m. - 1:30p.m., sunny, 95 - 110 degrees, calm to
light wind.
American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana 3M1F (PV).
Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta 200+ including 50+ tandem ovipositing (PV).
Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 5M (MCP); 100+ including 20+ tandem ovipositing (PV).
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 80+ including 20+ tandem
ovipositing (MCP), 100+ including about 20 tandem ovipositing ((PV).
Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 1 (MCP).
Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 1 (MCP).
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 9 including one tandem pair ovipositing for about 20
minutes (MCP).
White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus 7M (PV).
Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 3M1F (MCP); 7M1F (PV).
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 60+ including three wheels and one female
ovipositing (MCP),
Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa 6M1F, One male seen apparently guarding piece
of dead floating Typha stalk about 18" long, later a wheel
with female on that Typha stalk, then female solo ovipositing at
waterline edge of Typha stalk, kind of dabbing her ovipositor on the
stalk while in hovering flight (MCP).
Widow Skimmer, Libellula luctuosa 6M2F (MCP)
Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 12 including 1 tandem pair dropping the female for
ovipositing (MCP).
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 3 including one ovipositing (MCP),
Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 1(MCP), 1(PV).
NOTE: At MCP County Ordinance #328 does not allow
removing, defacing or disturbing wildlife. However, I asked a
manager at MCP, if I could catch and release a few damsels if I needed to ID up
close. He said OK. He checked with me later and thought this was
great. The way people use the county park (fishing, swimming, jet
skiing and motor boating including fuel in the water, lawn mowing, dogs
running free, and massive corporate agriculture next door with
pesticides etc.) the impact of my activities seems
like nothing. P.S. I never did need to catch
anything.
…….
Mono
County
Ron &
Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough
Black Saddlebags Tramea
lacerata- photo record, CA Chart #96
June 2007
June 30,
2007
Siskiyou
County
Kathy &
Dave Biggs
‘Dragonfly Roost Pond’, our yard, Mt. Shasta Forest,
east of McCloud, elevation 4700’
We added a 9th species to our pond list: A
female Black Saddlebags came in to oviposit.
We had a hard time at first figuring her out as she
was so ‘fresh’ as to hardly have the
saddlebag marks colored up yet and she had very
bright yellow spots that appeared to be
along the side of her abdomen! And, she was
‘throwing’ stings of eggs!
Species on the pond were
Pacific
Forktail – 1 female
Western
Forktail – 1 male
12-spotted
Skimmer, 2 males and 2 females. The
females were ovipositing.
Black
Saddlebags – one ovipositing female
…….
San
Benito County
Dan Singer and Eric
Preston
East Pinnacles NM
We started at the reservoir and there were many
odonates there.
We went around almost the entire reservoir and had
Giant Darner at every stop,
as well as Red Saddlebags at nearly every stop. We
were pleasantly surprised by both.
After seeing Giant Darner with Common Green Darners,
I suggest we change the English
name of Common Green Darner, to Tiny Green Darner. A
complete list is below.
Vivid Dancer - 1
Arroyo Bluet - one that I could see
the end bits on
Enallagma
sp. - hundreds
Western Forktail - 10
Desert Firetail - 6
Common Green Darner - 20
Giant Darner - 5
Blue-eyed Darner - lots
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 3
Common Whitetail - 4
Flame Skimmer - lots
Black Saddlebags - lots
Red Saddlebags - 3
Wandering Glider - 1
…….
Monterrey and San Benito CountiesDon Roberson & Rita CarratelloAfter years of lusting after access to the San Lorenzo River east of King City, Rita and I were finally able to arrange permission to enter a private ranch on Lone Oak Road. Here the San Lorenzo forms the boundary between Monterey and San Benito counties. We worked primarily the MTY side but most species were recorded in both counties.San Lorenzo River [1130-1530] warm, sunny, breezyAmerican Rubyspot 8
California Dancer 1000 +
blue-type bluet (N/Familiar), likely Familiar here 6
dark-type bluet (Arroyo/Tule), likely Tule by habitat 1 m
Desert Firetail 30
Pacific Forktail 1 m
Black-fronted Forktail 50
Western Forktail 1 f
Common Green Darner 2
Giant Darner 3
Blue-eyed Darner 2
Gray Sanddragon 2
Western Pondhawk 8
Common Whitetail 1 m
Flame Skimmer 80
Cardinal Meadowhawk 2
Striped Meadowhawk 1 teneral
Black Saddlebags 20
There was only one previous record of Gray Sanddragon for MTY, and we went specifically hoping for this species. So that success was quite gratifying. The Giant Darners were a surprise. Many photos and more information is now on my web site athttp://montereybay.com/creagrus/CA-MTY30Jun07.html
Third week of June, and
continuing on into July
Inyo/Mono County
Ron and Barbara Oriti Fish Slough –
Desert whitetails aroundHoary Skimmers
Gray SanddragonsCommon Green DarnersBlue-eyed DarnersBlack SaddlebagsFlame SkimmersFour-spotted SkimmersEight-spotted SkimmersBlue DashersWestern Pondhawks
and at least a couple types of Meadowhawks. There are also damselflies, but I have trouble identifying them… June 29, 2007Lassen CountyPaul Johnson
Willow Lake… lots of odes the previous year in early July. Iwas only able to spend an hour or so this year, and itwas a bit windy, but still I was surprised at the paucity of odes there. Species notable for their low numbers include a single emerald (probably American),two dot-tailed whitefaces, several Hudsonian whitefaces, a few 4-spotted skimmers, and a single chalk-fronted corporal.…….
Mono
County
Ron &
Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough
Gray Sanddragon Progomphus borealis - photo record, CA Chart #96
June 26, 2007Santa Clara CountyJohn Hall, David EdwardsMonte Bello OSPSeep AreaVivid Dancer 40
Pacific Forktail 1
Mosaic Darner,sp 2
Flame Skimmer 1
Cardinal Meadowhawk 2
Black Saddlebags 1
PondNorthern Spreadwing 80
*Black Spreadwing Lestes stultus 2
California Dancer 1
Tule Bluet 3
Boreal/Northern Bluet 2
Arroyo Bluet 350
Pacific Forktail 10
Western Forktail 3
Mosaic Darner,sp 2
Common Green Darner 1
Blue-eyed Darner 2
Western Pondhawk 1
Eight-spotted Skimmer 15
Flame Skimmer 35
Common Whitetail 4
Cardinal Meadowhawk 5
Red-veined Meadowhawk 3
Striped Meadowhawk 15
Black Saddlebags 2
…….San Mateo CountyJohn Hall, David EdwardsSkyline Ridge OSPAlpine PondNorthern Spreadwing 9
Black Spreadwing 3
California Dancer 50
Tule Bluet 2
Arroyo Bluet 5
Pacific Forktail 6
Mosaic Darner,sp 1
Blue-eyed Darner 3
Pacific Spiketail 1
Eight-spotted Skimmer 15
Flame Skimmer 8
Blue Dasher 40
Cardinal Meadowhawk 5
Black Saddlebags 1
Horseshoe Lake California Dancer 25
Boreal Bluet 5
Tule Bluet 3
Arroyo Bluet 15
Pacific Forktail 60
Western Forktail 2
Blue-eyed Darner 3
Western Pondhawk 3
Eight-spotted Skimmer 40
Flame Skimmer 90
Blue Dasher 25
Striped Meadowhawk 1
Black Saddlebags 4
June 24, 2007
Imperial County
Peter Siminski
Sinclair Road irrigation
ditch and East Highline Canal; 8:15 - 11:30a.m., mostly sunny, 85 - 101
degrees, calm to light winds.
American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana ~40, approximately
equally split males and females.
Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta 80+, plus 4 tandem
ovipositing.
Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 100+, plus ~10
tandem ovipositing.
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 100+, plus ~15 tandem
ovipositing.
Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 1M along ditch.
Brimstone Clubtail, Stylurus intricatus 1 seen in shade of Pluchea
clump at SW cornor of intersection, seen @ about 11:00.
Russet-tipped Clubtail, Stylurus plagiatus 1M seen above
irrigation ditch about 1/4 mile east of canal hanging from Pluchea @
about 8:30.
White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus 20, one pair hanging
in wheel in shade of Tamarix in west side of canal road..
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 1F along canal.
Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 2F in shade of Tamarix.
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 1M in ditch.
Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 1M in ditch.
Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 2
Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 1
…….
Sonoma County
Alan Wight
I made a short lunchtime visit to Spring Lake in Santa Rosa. The highlight was a Western Meadowhawk, which I had nice viewsof perched for a couple of minutes before it flew off. This is a rare species in Sonoma County. Other species seen were:Blue Dasher - several
Western Pondhawk - 2
Eight-spotted Skimmer - many
Common Whitetail - 2+
Widow Skimmer – many
*Western Meadowhawk Sympetrum occidentalis - a mature male. It was at the tip of the peninsula that sticks out into the lake on the north side
Black Saddlebags - 1+
Flame Skimmer - 1
Common Green Darner - 1
Darner sp. - 2+
I noticed only one damselfly - a bluet.
June 22, 2007
Santa Barbara County
Peter Siminski
Santa Ynez River above
first crossing of Paradise Road; 1:15 - 4:00p.m., sunny, 75 - 85 degrees,
windy 15mph+.
California Dancer, Argia agrioides ~80 (6 in hand), ~20
tandems ovipositing.
Sooty Dancer, Argia lugens ~60, ~10 tandems
ovipositing.
Arroyo bluet, Enallagma praevarum 1 in hand.
Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum 1 in hand.
Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula 1M
Gray Sanddragon, Progomphus borealis 7, one pair in
wheel.
Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 8, one female
ovipositing.
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 2, one female
ovipositing.
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata ~18, one wheel, one
female ovipositing.
Red Rock Skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes 1
…
San Luis Obispo County
Peter Siminski
Oso Flaco Lake, Oceano
Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area; 10:20 - 11:30a.m., sunny, ~65
degrees, 10-15 mph wind.
Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma praevarum 1 in hand, +2
similar
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 3
June 21, 2007
Ventura County
Peter Siminski
Wheeler Gorge Creek north
of Wheeler Springs along SR33; 2:00 - 3:00p.m., sunny, ~85 degrees, wind
~10mph.
Sooty Dancer, Argia lugens 9
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida ~25, 1pair tandem
ovipositing
Argia agrioides or nahuana
2
June 20, 2007
Inyo County
Ron and Barbara Oriti
Hot Creek north of Bishop
*Desert Whitetail Libellula subornata - lots
…….
John Sterling
San Mateo County
Pescadero
Creek
*Bison Snaketail Ophiogomphus bison - last report 2007 – kb
June 19, 2007
Glenn County
Greg Kareofelas
Plaskett Meadows Area
Most of the specimens came from areas far away from
anything close to "running water".
Enallagma boreale ~3
Tanypteryx hageni ~5
Erpetogomphus compositus White-belted Ringtail – specimen, 10seen, upgrade from sighting only record
CA chart #28
Ophiogomphus bison
Bison Snaketail 2
Progomphus borealis 4
Cordulegaster dorsalis 2
*Macromia magnifica Western River Cruiser -1; new record, specimen from:
Grindstone Overlook, UTM 10 527975E 4390716N, Chaparral, 2950' elev. CA chart #28 – last
sighting of 2007
Sympetrum corruptum – ‘hundreds’
June 17/18, 2007
San Diego County
Richard BledsoeI went to the bird and butterfly gardens at the old Meyers ranch to photograph the swallowtails. I saw a blue-eyeddarner feeding there and decided to check the ponds on my way home. Problems, I forgot to bring my binos and ode
field guide. I found and photographed a bluet and thought he looked odd but the lcd screen on my camera did not give much usable detail. When I reviewed the photos I realized that I didn't know what species this was. So next day Ireturned properly equipped (camera, net, binos, guide, 10X hand lens, ruler, and lunch). It was lucky for me that he was in the same vicinity posing nicely. I took some habitat shots and then netted and examined him. From my notes: a small bluet only one and one eight inches long, in side view the lower appendages were hard to see with the 10Xwhile the uppers looked huge in comparison, very different from our state bluets. The black and blue pattern on this ode isstriking and Kathy has some photos up on her Southwest ode site. She, Dennis Paulson and John Abbott all agreed that itwas the* ** Baja Bluet, Enallagma eiseni* ** Photo record, CA chart #97 *NEW STATE RECORD*This was a single individual and I did not see any females. When I released him he flew into the bushes and disappeared and had not returned an hour later when I checked. [*note: This is only the 2nd state for this southern species to be found in, and only the 2nd or 3rd known occur within the USA borders – kb]
June 17, 2007
Calaveras County
John Stirling (ani@cal.net)
Beaver Creek near Picnic Grounds at Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Biosn Snaketail Ophiogomphus bison OC Record #7774
PHOTO Record, CA chart # 98
June 16, 2007
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Hudson Road along the Shasta in the afternoon - Weather was fine, high 80's, light breeze. I walked a short sectionof the road checking the known "hotspots". Here is the list:American Rubyspot - <20, some in wheel
River Jewelwing - >50, many females
Vivid Dancer - ~100, some ovipositing
Emma's Dancer - hundreds, many ovipositing on floating veg
Northern Bluet ~50
Tule Bluet - <10
Western Forktail - 1 female
Common Green Darner - 2 males patrolling
Sinuous Snaketail - 1 male patrolling
Great Basin Snaketail - most numerous clubtail present, ~150
Eight-Spot Skimmer - 2 males patrolling
Twelve-spot Skimmer - 4 males patrolling
Flame Skimmer -2 males patrolling
Kelly Lake - a high elevation lake on the eastern edge of the Siskiyou Wilderness. It lies just a couple of miles south of the Oregon border in western Siskiyou County. I went up to lead a dragonfly walk for those interested in the morning. The weather was fine, a little cool to start and a bit breezy to finish. Temps made it to the mid 80's. Lots of ode activity.Here is who we saw:Northern Bluet - hundreds
Tule Bluet - <10 couple netted for id.
Western forktail - 1 male
Aeshna sp. - 1 male on patrol
American Emerald - 1 male recently emerged
Chalk-fronted Corporal - hundreds, most abundant ode flying today.
*Crimson-ringed Whiteface Leucorrhinia glacialis - hundreds, ~25 pairs in wheel, netted a few for positive id.
Hudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica - several emerging, id with close-focus binos
An osprey and a mature bald eagle came by to check out the fishing.A nice response to the dragonfly display and walk. A fun day for all.
…….
Sonoma County
Dave and Kathy BiggsWe lead a dragonfly walk thru Madrone Audubon up Pine Flat Rd., and thru the Mayacamas Audubon Preserve It was a wonderful day, and only in the 70-80s following days in the 90s and 100s! We started near the top of the road at the pond and seep near mile marker 10 to start, as the valley was fogged in.Key:MM1= mile marker one, looking into Little Sulphur Creek (we did not go down to the creek);FS=Ferguson Spring;RRp=Rebizzo Ranch pond;seep1= seep just above Rebizzo Ranch (with lots of watercress)SCp=pond along Sulphur Creek (~MM9 - do not block driveway);MM10=pond and seep at mile marker 10. A number of us went to the Russian River (4-5 pm) at the Geyserville Rd (RRG)....the spot we usually go to at RR at Alexander Valley Rd was jam packed with vacationers.Although this was a beginner's walk, we were also looking for 2 dragonflies that are somewhat rare in Sonoma County, the Hoary Skimmer and the Black Petaltail.At MM10, we climbed about in the seep area before the pond. We didn't find any Petaltails, but we were delighted to find a male Hoary Skimmer on territory. This species was not found at FS where it had been found in prior years as that area is overgrown now, so finding them at this new spot was wonderful, although it is not within the protected preserve and just on BLM land (used a LOT as a rifle range). One dragonfly seen briefly at the seep MAY have been a Petaltail, but flew more direct and stronger flight than Petaltails usually do.Species seen:American Rubyspot - MM1 & RRG
Black Spreadwing - MM10 & LSP - fairly good #s at MM10 seep and many nymph seen in the pond.
Emma's Dancer - RRG only
Vivid Dancer - MM1, seep1, RRp, FS, MM10 (almost everywhere we went)
No/Bo Bluet - LSCP, RRG
Pacific Forktail - just one male at MM10pond
Western Forktail - MM10pond
Common Green Darner - RRp - 1 male
Darner sp - a few seen as we drove the road; at least one was a Mosaic type
Grappletail -Seep1 in the afternoon, 1 mature male
Gray Sanddragon - LSC- 1 male, an unexpected find, but it was on a tongue of sand there!
Pacific Spiketail - one along road that hit our front window and then flew off!
Pale-faced Clubskimmer - PERHAPS this species seen on lower Pine Flat Rd before bridge over (dry) Sausal Creek - only 1+ mile from RR).
Widow Skimmer - MM1, afternoon, 1 male
Common Whitetail - MM1; RRp; MM10Pond
Hoary Skimmer - MM10seep - 1 male
Eight-spotted Skimmer - MM1
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - MM10pond; MM1; SCP - males, and an ovipositing female at MM10pond
Flame Skimmer - MM10pond; MM1; SCp- males and an ovipositing female at MM10pond
Blue Dasher (probably this species, but at a distance and facing away from us, maybe a pondhawk) - RRp - one male
Cardinal Meadowhawk - FS
Red-veined Meadowhawk - MM10seep and pond (ovipositing pair at pond)
Striped Meadowhawk - MM10pond (teneral); SCp (young male)
Black Saddlebags - RRp; RRG
23 species!! A great day all around! ~12 attendeesOther highlights: a first year pond turtle found in MM10seep and Garter Snakes in most of the waterways June 15, 2007
Riverside County
David Blue
Dos Palmas Oasis, Dos Palmas Preserve
8:55 AM – 1:25 PM, sunny, 89-108 degrees
A hot walk in, and a hotter walk out, but well worth it!
Photos taken of all species but Black Saddlebags
Powdered Dancer Argia moesta 1
Blue-ringed
Dancer Argia sedula 6
Citrine
Forktail Ischnura hastata 1
Rambur's
Forktail Ischnura ramburii ~20
Common Green
Darner Anax junius 10
White-belted
Ringtail Erpetogomphus compositus 1
Red-tailed
Pennant Brachymesia furcata 8
Western
Pondhawk Erythemis collocata ~100
Comanche
Skimmer Libellula comanche 24
Bleached
Skimmer Libellula composita 1
Widow Skimmer Libellula
luctuosa 12
Marl Pennant Macrodiplax
balteata ~100
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax
longipennis ~200
Black
Saddlebags Tramea lacerata ~20
Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta 10
…….
Imperial County
David Blue
East Highline Canal (end of Sinclair Road),
Although it was hot as hell (111 degrees), this
was clubtail heaven with all four Imperial County species. I checked the
tamarisk on the west side across the road from the footbridge, and it
was filled with odes. Everywhere I looked I could see multiple clubtails, and
at one spot I counted 10 in sight at once, most of which were White-belted
Clubtails. Two Brimstone Clubtails and a Russet-tipped Clubtail are new early
records for California.
American
Rubyspot Hetaerina americana 2 (ph.)
Powdered Dancer Argia moesta 12 (ph.)
Blue-ringed
Dancer Argia sedula 2
Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile 1 (ph.)
White-belted
Ringtail Erpetogomphus compositus ~30 (ph. M & F)
Gray Sanddragon Progomphus
borealis 2 (ph.)
**Brimstone
Clubtail Stylurus intricatus 2 (ph. M & F) – new early flight date whole SW area
*Russet-tipped
Clubtail Stylurus plagiatus 1
(ph. F) -
Widow Skimmer Libellula
luctuosa 1 (M)
Flame Skimmer Libellula
saturata 2
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax
longipennis 3
June 10, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
San Jacinto
Mountains: Lake Fulmor(FL), Fuller Mill Creek (FMC), and Lake Hemet (HL);
sunny, 10:00a.m. - 3:00p.m., 60(FL) - 80(HL) degrees, calm to
moderate wind.
Tule Bluet, Enallagma
carunculatum 3(FL) in hand
Enallagma sp., Tule/Arroyo type,75+(FL)
many tandem ovipositing.
Enallagma sp., Familiar/NOBO type,
~10(FL), 1(HL) a couple of tandem ovipositing at FL.
Pacific Forktail, Ischnura
cervula
100+(FL), some tandems, a few females ovipositing.
Rhionaeschna sp., ~12(FL) most were
skimmer-small (californica), but a couple were big and bright
blue-eyed (multicolor); I did not get close looks.
Pacific Spiketail, Cordulegaster dorsalis 1(FMC)
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 9M(HL)
Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum ~18(FL)
Common Whitetail, Plathemis lydia 1M(FL)
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata ~10(FL)
…….
Inyo County
Ron and Barbara Oriti
Klondike Lake - it was quite windy.
not too many dragonflies, as we expected
because of the wind, there were both Red and Black Saddlebags flying
around, as well as Common Green Darners.
They were mainly over at a nearby small
pond. The Red Saddlebags sat down for a while, and Ron was able to get a
couple photos!
…….
Lassen CountyDon Roberson
Zamboni Hot Springs/Long Valley Creek (off a little dirt road that goes west off Hwy 395 about 2.6 mi N of Red Rock Road, and just south of the s end of the Constancia Road loop that goes into Doyle; the "hot springs" look to be a marshy spot crossing the dirt road into irrigation ditches but the spring itself seems to be on posted 'private property' near a fenced residence; sand-bottomed Long Valley Creek is nearby). 10:30-11:30 a.m., but still overcast, cold, and windyVivid Dancer 2
Paiute Dancer 8
Tule Bluet 2
Western Forktail 10
W. Red Damsel 10
Western Pondhawk 1 teneral
Twelve-spotted Skimmer 1 fem
skimmer, sp -- 2 pale-looking skimmers flew by & got away in the sage
June 9, 2007
Sonoma County
Kathy and Dave Biggs, group leaders
Dave and I led a field trip/workshop at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve in the hills East of Cotati. This site is open ONLY to GUIDED walks.We had perfect weather and the upper pond, Kelly Pond, had more dragonflies at it than I've seen in one area in years!On the hike into Kelly Pond, and at the large pond, from 9-1, we saw:Black Spreadwings - the ephemeral pond they breed in is already dry, but they were all over the meadow just below the pond.
Tule Bluet - one male examined in hand, Kelly Pond (KP)
Bluet sp - some (KP)
Pacific Forktail - abundant around Kelly Pond (KP)
Western Forktail - many at Kelly Pond - didn't have time to check for SF Forktails amidst the 100s of forktails there!
Blue-eyed Darner - one female in hand (meadow)
Darner sp. - quite a few feeding in loose swarms with Rhionaeschna, Anax and Pantala.
Common Green Darner - see above
Pacific Spiketail - many at meadow, one male examined in hand
Western Pondhawk - abundant @ KP - hundreds, seen emerging, in tandem, in wheel, ovipositing, etc.
Blue Dasher - same as above, but not seen ovipositing
Eight-spotted Skimmer - abundant - the dominant Ode at KP, also seen in meadows
Common Whitetail - a few males at KP
Wandering Glider - seen in meadows with darner groups, feeding. New for site list.
Cardinal Meadowhawk - a few at KP
Red-veined Meadowhawk - at least 15, KP and meadows. A few in hand
Black Saddlebags - one-two seen briefly at KP
After the main hike, Kathy and Dave went to the ponds and marsh on the lower property with Ron Robertson, 1:30-3:00, we sawVivid Dancer - dozens along the pathways and a few on Turtle Pond (TP), pairs ovipositing in creek next to TP, a few examined in hand
Calif. Dancer - a few (two males in hand) on pathways
Western Red Damsel - one male in hand below Turtle Pond, near marsh
Desert Firetail - one male on Turtle Pond (TP)
Pacific Forktail - young females along path
Western Forktail - mature females along path
Darner sp - a few
Grappletail - 3 males along creek next to TP
Pacific Spiketail - watched a male eating a yellow-jacket, others seen
Western Pondhawk - some TP
Blue Dasher - possibly, but not for sure at TP
Common Whitetail - one female at marsh area
possibly a Flame Skimmer over marshCardinal Meadowhawk - abundant and the dominant Ode at TP
Black Saddlebags - one
20 species! Not bad!
…….
Imperial
County
Doug Aguillard
I headed for "State Record Territory" (a.k.a. West Pond) along the Colorado River, north of Yuma, AZ. I was surprise at the lack of damselflies numbers, and dragonfly numbers were not great either, but it was fun wading in West Pond. There was a breeze that kept the temps in the 80's. Another observation was that of a female Mexican ovipositing. She would fly to the side of a rock in the pond, and then lay the eggs at it's side just below the waterline. The male would sometimes hover over her in a protection mode. I have images of it, along with some other images that I will post today.West Pond & Beaver Pond:Common Green DarnersWidow SkimmersComanche SkimmerMexican AmberwingsRed-tailed PennantsBlue DashersWestern PondhawksRed SaddlebagsBlack SaddlebagsWandering GliderRambur's ForktailsFamiliar BluetsPowdered Dancer (1)
Blue-ringed Dancers
Holtville Hot Springs:White-belted RingtailsComanche Skimmer (new to this area)
Wandering GliderBlue DashersWestern PondhawksRambur's ForktailsBlue-ringed Dancers
…….
San Diego County
David Blue and Matt Heindel
Mission Trails Regional Park
American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana
2
*Lavender Dancer Argia hinei
1
Blue-ringed Dancer Argia sedula
4
Vivid Dancer Argia vivida
5
Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula
20
Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis
1
Common Green Darner Anax junius
3
Giant Darner Anax walsinghami
2
Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor
1
Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax
1
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata
6
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis
1
Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens
1
…
San Diego County
Peter Siminski
Anza Borrego Desert State
Park, Pena Spring; 9:00a.m. - 10:30a.m., sunny, 80-90 degrees, calm wind.
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida ~25
I also checked out Culp
Valley Spring; no surface water, no odes.
…….Modoc CountyDon RobersonGoose Lake State Park, w end of Stateline Road, on CA/OR border (the park is in Oregon) 8:00-8:40 a.m.Pacific Forktail 1
Alkali Bluet 6 males (1 netted) & females -- had to hop a fence to be sure of one inside California North Fork of Pit River
(I saw two deer in the river so stopped to photo them and decided to check there by scrambling down a steep bank; this was 10.7 mi N of Alturas; also briefly stopped along river [much easier access here] at 9.6 mi N of Alturas) 9:15-10:15 a.m.,sunny & warm & calm. Pix at http://montereybay.com/creagrus/CA-MOD9Jun07.htmlRiver Jewelwing 25 (both sexes)
Vivid Dancer 10
Bo/No Bluet 4
Western Forktail 15
W. Red Damsel 20
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Four-spotted Skimmer 1
Eight-spotted Skimmer 1
Sand Creek , nearly at the Nevada state line 8 miles east of Cedarville on Hwy 299. One turns north on County Road 18 (a dirt road) for 2.6 miles to where Sand Creek crosses the road (it is flowing this time of year).Vivid Dancer 15
Bo/No Bluet 8
Tule Bluet 5
Western Forktail 30
*Pale Snaketail Ophiogomphus severus 1 male
Eight-spotted Skimmer 3
…Lassen County
Ash Creek Campground (~8 mi SE of Adin, Modoc, on a dirt road as described previously on various CalOde posts) 11:30-12:45, partly cloudy, calm, 70 degrees; spectacular spotAm. Rubyspot 2
River Jewelwing 5
Vivid Dancer 25
Emma's Dancer 8
Boreal Bluet 3 (male in hand + tandem)
Western Forktail 15
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Grappletail 100+ easy -- unbelievably spectacular to have gompids as the abundant species; they fly up in clouds from the little bridge as
one reaches the campground. All were males but they were perching & flying about everywhere along the river and its grassy or rocky edges.*Great Basin Snaketail Ophiogomphus morrisoni 8 -- very skittish in comparison to the 'tame' Grappletails
Twelve-spotted Skimmer 2
Bailey Creek marsh (8.9 mi E of Hwy 139 on Termo-Grasshopper Road, which is paved. A small 'marsh' created by diversion of a spring-fed stream into an irrigation ditch, as described in Tim Manolis's post about 17 July 2006) 13:30-14:30, still sunny but now quite windyVivid Dancer 10
*Aztec Dancer Argia nahuana 1 male in-hand
Bo/No Bluet 100+ (one male netted was Boreal)
Tule Bluet 10
Pacific Forktail 30
Western Forktail 50
W. Red Damsel 20
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Dot-tailed Whiteface 15, including tandems
Four-spotted Skimmer 15 -- most surprising to me was that many males were cruising the small marsh, hovering and chasing each other,
always in motion, & rather rarely landing hidden down in the grass. I took a series of flight photos. Only a few were perched next to open water.Eight-spotted Skimmer 3
Common Whitetail 1 male
Black Saddlebags 1 male
Willow Creek W.A. (~15 mi N of Susanville) 3-4 pm, cool, very breezy, overcast, few odesAlkali Bluet 15 (male & female netted)
Pacific Forktail 15
Western Forktail 15
Meadowhawk, sp 2 tenerals; one photo'd appears to be a Cherry-faced/Saffron-winged type, pending expert review
June 8, 2007
Sonoma County
Dave and Kathy Biggs
lower Bloomfield Rd, Sebastopol
I had quite a surprise on my backyard pond. Luckily I
was doing my weekly survey for Jason Bried's study or I would have missed it.
Click on the link at the end to read about how I
found a rare, male San Francisco Forktail on my backyard pond [~12 miles
inland]!
Cardinal
Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum 2 males
Flame
Skimmer, Libellula
saturata 1 male
Vivid
Dancer, Argia vivida 3 males; 2 females including 2 tandem
couples and 1 pair ovipositing
Western Forktail, Ischnura perparva 4 males, 2 ovipositing females +
one foraging female
Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula 3 males
*Exclamation
Damsel, Zoniagrion exclamationis 3 males – last sighting
2007
Pacific
Spiketail, Cordulegaster dorsalis 1, quick flyby by what we
assumed was the female who has been in our yard daily for a week or two now.
San Francisco Forktail, Ischnura gemina 1 male; caught, scanned and
returned to the pond
Darner species, Rhionaeschna sp. 1
http://southwestdragonflies.net/damsels/cadamselphotos/SanFranciscoForktail_Sebastopol2007.html
Dave wondered if the very strong off-shore winds of
the week had brought the forktail in!?!
…….
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
I checked out three locations: Bald Mountain Reservoir (BMR) is about 13 air miles north of Old Station; Bidwell Pond (BP) is about 7 miles north of Old Station and on the way to BMR; Lily Pond (LP) is in Lassen Park near Manzanita Lake. Of the 19 species seen, two are new for California this year. Emerald Spreadwing - several, BMR
*Taiga Bluet Coenagrion resolutum - several, LP
No/Bo Bluet - several, BMR - 1 LP
Tule Bluet - several, BMR
Western Forktail - common, BMR and BP, one or two at LP
Pacific Forktail - common, BMR and BP
Western Red Damsel - 2, LP
Common Green Darner - 1, BMR - 1, BP
Blue-eyed Darner - 1 BMR
Dot-tailed Whiteface - common to abundant, BMR - common, BP
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 2, BP
Striped Meadowhawk - 1, BP
Western Pondhawk - several, BMR
Blue Dasher - 1, BP
Common Whitetail - 1, BMR
Eight-spotted Skimmer - common, BP
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - common, BMR
Four-spotted Skimmer - common, BMR and BP
Black Saddlebags - 1, BMR
…….
Lassen CountyDon Robersonsmall grassy pond in forest 8.1 east of Madeline (12:00-12:45)Emerald Spreadwing 10: 3 teneral male, rest females (several netted)
Boreal Bluet 8 (male netted)
Western Forktail 50, mostly females, a few male
Meadowhawk, sp 1 teneral got away
Blue Lake (1:30-2:30 p.m.; calm, warm, a few clouds; spectacular setting)Vivid Dancer 12
Bo/No Bluet 10 (a male caught was Boreal)
Pacific Forktail 50
Western Forktail 25
Calif Darner 2 male
*Spiny Baskettail Epitheca spinigera 4 teneral male -- these appeared to be just emerging and were just starting to fly; all were brown-eyed.
One was photographed as it flapped on a lily pad and took off unsteadily; another tried to fly but fell into the lake and had to swim to a lily pad; two other were flying short distances along the 'handicapped access' trail detailed in Tim Manolis's post on CalOdes from 28-29 June 2005. One landed on a stump for nice photos. There were a few exuviae among the lily pads.http://montereybay.com/creagrus/CA-LAS-BlueLake.html
June 4,
2007
Inyo
County
Ron &
Barbara Oriti
Owens River Spring
Emerald Spreadwing Lestes
Dryas - photo record, CA Chart #96
June 3, 2007
Napa County
Virginia and Andy Macintosh
Knoxville, north of Berryessa, Mill Creek Park, east
of Ukiah, and just outside Talmage in the Cow Mountain area.
We took a trail that led us to a large, sunny
pond with lots of algae, mallards & babies, black phoebes, etc., but
were most excited about the
large numbers of dragonflies and damselflies
thriving there! Kate may be able to give you a better rundown, but we are
pretty sure we were
seeing Flame Skimmers, Common Whitetails, Twelve
Spot Skimmer, and a few others we were not good enough to ID. The
Whitetail
was hovering over a female, (we assume also
Whitetail) ovipositing on the water surface. Shortly after that the
damselflies came out. It wasn't
as easy to ID them, but there were lots that looked
like some sort of Bluet - most all having a turquoise, or medium
blue thorax, and black and
blue abdomen segments. It was a first outing
for me actually on the lookout for dragonflies, and great fun!
…….
Inyo County
Ron and Barbara Oriti
Klondike Lake, just north of Big Pine.
There were lots of dragonflies of several
different species there, including a number of red saddlebags. I
had fun watching them, however
they did not sit down. It was a bit
tricky keeping them in sight with binoculars, but I did get some really good
views, and could make the
positive ID. Ron managed to get a black
saddlebags in flight, so maybe he can also get a red that way.
…….
Solano County
John Stirling
south of Putah Creek east of
Winters
I was able to find and photographed a female Western River Cruiser Macromia magnifica.
The photos are on my
website at http://www.cal.net/~ani/sterlings_odonate_photos.htm
Click on the species link to see
photos.
Yolo County
I saw but could not photograph a Giant Darner Anax Walsinghami along Cache Creek about 1 mile
west of Capay. This is a first sighting for Yolo County. I will be
walking the creek again tomorrow, but further downstream. Also present
were two White-belted Ringtails amongst the usual, common
species.
June 2, 2007
Riverside County
Doug VaughanDos Palmas Preserve, 83-95 deg, high cloud cover about 75%, light winds [all sightings at or en route to the Dos Palmas oasis; the San Andreas loop trail was barren]Blue-ringed Dancer -- fairly com.
Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata) -- 1 m. in hand (perhaps more com.; I pretty much quit searching after finding this one!)
Rambur's Forktail -- fairly com., several in hand
Com. Green Darner -- 2 or 3 m.
Blue-eyed Darner? -- 1 probably this species
White-belted Ringtail (Erpetogomphus compositus) -- 1 or 2
W. Pondhawk -- com., including many f.
Blue Dasher -- abundant
Comanche Skimmer (Libellula comanche) -- 1 f. or young m.
unidentified skimmer -- 1 ovipositing f., briefly seen, may have been Desert Whitetail, though it appeared to have black at the wingtips,
as out-of-range Com. Whitetail or Twelve-spotted Skimmer; not a Widow SkimmerWidow Skimmer (L. luctuosa) -- several m.
Marl Pennant -- com., both at the oasis and on the walk in
Black Saddlebags -- com.
Red Saddlebags -- com.
…….Santa Clara CountyDon Roberson & Rita Carratello
Monte Bello OSR2:30-3:50 pm, hot, sunny & calm (a welcome change from the fog-bound coast)pond area (as previously described by Hall & Edwards)Northern Spreadwing 1 teneral male (appendages examined)
*Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener 2 teneral male, 1 female (appendages or ovipositor examined)
pond spreadwing, sp 6 more tenerals not examined
Arroyo Bluet 100+ (all were Arroyo/Tule types on color pattern; all whose appendages were examined or photo'd were Arroyo;
female in-hand also)Pacific Forktail 20
Western Forktail 2 fem
C. Green Darner 1
Blue-eyed Darner 6+
California Darner 1 male
Cardinal Meadowhawk 1 male
Red-veined Meadowhawk 3 male (phs)
Striped Meadowhawk 25+ all teneral female-like types
Blue Dasher 10, inc. sev teneral female-type
Flame Skimmer 5
Eight-spotted Skimmer 25
Common Whitetail 8
I was particularly intrigued by the teneral spreadwings. All the male-types were bright coppery in color, a color not shown in the guides by aluded to by Tim Manolis's text, and this included both Spotted and the one Northern whose appendages were examined/photographed. Gorgeous. Also impressive was the apparent recent mass emergence of Striped Meadowhawk.seep area (4-4:30 pm)Vivid Dancer 40
Pacific Forktail 1
…….Shasta County Ray BruunI photographed what appeared to be an adult female Western Forktail, but it wasn't pruinose at all. Is this unusual?See bottom picture on this page: http://bruunphotography.com/shasta_county_damselflies_060207.htmlDennis Paulson replied that it was quite unusual.small meadow about a mile from the house here in Shingletown.*Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta - adult male
June 1, 2007
Fresno County
Paul Johnson
Cantua Creek and Arroyo Leona in extreme western
Fresno County (private property).
I was working, so I couldn't devote much time to
Odes. But I did add *gray sanddragon Progomphus borealis
to the site list (saw 3) and a new locality for giant darner (a male and
female in Arroyo Leona, about 7 miles from the site on Cantua Creek where I
recorded the county record last year. This was also different habitat: a small,
rocky stream with a steeper gradient than other sites where I've seen the
species. Perhaps with the creek levels low, the giants' downstream sites are
too low for their needs.)
…….
Imperial County Doug Vaughan
Sunbeam Lake Co. Park, , 90-95 deg, clear, light windBlue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula) -- 2 m., 1 f. in hand; fairly com.
Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) -- 1 m. in hand; others apparently this species com.
Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii) -- several, including 2 f. in hand
W. Pondhawk -- abundant
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) -- fairly com.
Mexican Amberwing (Perithemis intensa) -- only a few m., but conspicuous
Red Saddlebags -- tandem pair
Ramer Lake, 98 deg, clear, no wind [this was an unproductive area, though perhaps we didn't know just where to look; we found only a few spots with access to the water]Blue-ringed Dancer -- 1 or 2
Familiar Bluet -- 1 m. in hand; a few others bluets seen
Rambur's Forktail -- a few
W. Pondhawk/Blue Dasher -- a few m.
Mexican Amberwing -- only 1 m.
…….
Mono
County
Ron &
Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis - photo record, CA Chart #96 (update of prior sight only record)
May 2007
May 31, 2007
Mono County
Doug Vaughan
De Chambeau Ponds, Mono County, 80-85 deg, partly cloudy, light windTule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum) -- 1 m. in hand; unidentified bluets fairly com.
Black-fronted Forktail (Ischnura denticollis) -- several m.
W. Forktail (I. perparva) -- 1 f.
W. Red Damsel (Amphiagrion abbreviatum) -- several m.
Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor) -- 2 or 3 m.
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) -- 2 or 3
W. Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) -- 1 f. away from the water
Bleached Skimmer (Libellula composita) -- 1 f. (or young m?) perched on sagebrush away from water; I had hoped for more of this species
and was disappointed to find none on the ponds themselvesEight-spotted Skimmer (L. forensis) -- very com. and conspicuous
Four-spotted Skimmer (L. quadrimaculata) -- fairly com.
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) -- fairly com. (represented by a sighting-only record for Mono County? I wish I'd known!)
Red Saddlebags (T. onusta) -- fairly com.
Inyo CountyDirty Socks Spring, 94 deg, clear, light windPaiute Dancer (Argia alberta) -- several, including 1 f. in hand
Tule Bluet -- 1 in hand
*Alkali Bluet (Enallagma clausum) -- 1 m., 1 f. in hand; unidentified bluets com.
May 30, 2007
Napa County
Greg Kareofelas
Knoxville, north of Berryessa
Hetaerina americana
|
Argia lugens |
|
Argia vivida |
|
*Gomphus kurilis Pacific Clubtail – last report 2007 |
|
Ophiogomphus bison |
|
Libellula lydia |
|
Libellula saturata |
|
Paltothemis
lineatipes |
|
Sympetrum illotum |
|
Sympetrum madidum |
May 22-30, 2007
Siskiyou County
Kathy and Dave Biggs
Our new ‘backyard’ pond, Mt. Shasta Forest, 4700 elv,
~ 5 miles SE of McCloud http://bigsnestpond.net/Shasta/index.html
Western Red Damsel – one male; one day
Bluet –
one female seen, not No/Bo (no blue on tail end); possibly a Familiar; one day
Pacific Forktail – one male; one day
*Swift
Forktail Ischnura erratica – male and female, female
ovipositing [last report 5/30/2007 – kb]
Western Forktail – male and female, mature females ovipositing
Forktail sp
– 4 exuvia + 2 emergers
Common Green Darner – a few fly-bys
12-Spotted Skimmer – 2 males and at least one female, female ovipositing several times
each day
Cardinal
Meadowhawk – one immature male flew by, chased away by 12-spots; one
day
At nearby Widow Springs on the 29th
4-spotted Skimmer - one male
…….
Imperial County
Doug Willick
Eastern Imperial County near the All American Canal,
only a half mile or so from the Colorado River
Marl Pennant-
a female photographed
May 29, 2007
San Diego County
Richard Bledsoe
I found a male Citrine
Forktail Ischnura hastata in
Borrego Springs at one of the ponds at the Borrego Springs Resort and
Country Club off
Tilting T Dr. I photographed him on vegetation then
netted and examined and photographed him in hand. He is still there doing his
thing although I did not see any females. As these ponds have been covered by
various individuals for years, it seems unlikely that this represents a range
expansion and may be a wind dispersed
ode. It is however, an incredibly tiny and hard to see forktail. OC Record
#7722
May 28, 2007
Santa Cruz/Monterey County
Steve Rovell
Although the skies were sunny and blue at home in
Marina, the skies above the towns of Watsonville and Pajaro were gray.
I figured since Don and Rita had upwards of 40 !! Damsels
on a sunny day, I could find at least one.
I first visited the Monterey side of
the Pajaro River. There I easily found 3 or 4 males and one female Exclamation
Damsel.
It didn't take long, either. As soon as I got to
water's edge, there they were. Since I was parked in a seedy area, I wanted to
return to my car quickly. Having checked on it, I then went to the Santa
Cruz side of the river and discovered perhaps 12 more males and 2
females Exclamation Damsel. Only one other species was up, one male Exclamation
Damsel. I guess this is the second documented location of Exclamation
Damsel for SCZ County.Upon returning home and checking my spreadsheet, I
noticed that these two species were only my 4th and 5th species for Santa Cruz.
I guess I should get up there more often.
…….
Imperial CountyDon Roberson & Rita Carratello
Palo Verde County Park 9:30-10:30 am, 98 degrees F, calm & muggyBlue-ringed Dancer 12
Familiar Bluet 3
*Double-striped Bluet Enallagma basidens 6
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Western Pondhawk 7
Blue Dasher 25
Widow Skimmer 1 m
Black Saddlebags 1
Red Saddlebags 2
Spot-winged Glider 2
Wandering Glider 3
glider, sp 5+
Davis Lake remnant, N end of Marlowe Road, 2.3 mi S of Palo Verde Park,10:45-11:15 a.m., 99 degreesMexican Amberwing 2 fem
Red Saddlebags 1 fem
…….
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
Lake McCumber
I had a couple of *Emerald Spreadwings Lestes
dryas
May 26-28, 2007
Shasta County
Darren Fong
Lassen National Forest
Cornaz Lake, Lassen NF
Anax junius – Female, Wet meadow, 28th
** *Sympetrum danae Black Meadowhawk –Female, forested area at edge of wet meadow, 27th
Argia vivida - emergent
wetland, 27th
Eiler Gulch, Lassen NF,
Thousand Lakes Wilderness Area, 27th
Cordulia shurtleffli - forested area, 27th
Cornaz Lake, 26th
Ischnura cervula - emergent wetland
* **Ladona julia
Chalk-fronted Corporal – female, riparian area, 26th
Leucorrhinia intacta – M & f, emergent wetland, 26th
Libellula pulchella, emergent wetland, 26th
Ischnura perparva - emergent wetland, sides of thorax green, 26th
May 27, 2007
Riverside County
Peter Siminski, Don
Roberson, Rita Carratello
Dos Palmas Oasis, Dos
Palmas Preserve; 8:15a.m.-1:30p.m., sunny, 80-97 degrees, calm to light winds.
American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana 1M1F
CA/Aztec Dancer, Argia agrioides or A. nahuana 1
Argia sp. ~6F
Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula ~15
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 1
Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 2F
Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 50+
Ischnura sp. 2
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 8
White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus 1F
Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata ~20
Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 40+ (one pair in
wheel, one female ovipositing, one eating a forktail)
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 100s
*Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche ~25
*Bleached Skimmer, Libellula composita 3M
Widow Skimmer, Libellula luctuosa ~15
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 1M
Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata 100s (several tandem
ovipositing)
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata ~20 ( two tandems
ovipositing)
Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta ~15
Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens ~10
…..
Imperial County Don Roberson & Rita CarratelloEast Highline Canal (east end of Sinclair) 3:30-4:00 pm, 102 degrees F, calmAm Rubyspot 1
Blue-ringed Dancer 30
Powdered Dancer 40
Familiar Bluet bWhite-belted Ringtail 1 m
…….
Siskiyou County
Dave and Kathy Biggs, Doug Aguillard, Bob and Patti
Claypole
Shasta River @ Hudson Road, 8 miles N of Yreka off
old Hwy 99
River Jewelwing – abundant http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/river_jewelwing.htm
American Rubyspot - plentiful
Emma’s Dancer – plentiful http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/emma.htm
Swift Forktail – a few, new species for this site
Bluet Sp.
- some
Common Green Darner– 1-2
California Darner – a few
Blue-eyed Darner– a few
Pacific
Clubtail Gomphus kurilis – plentiful http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/pacific_clubtail.htm
Sinuous Snaketail – a few http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/sinuous_snaketail.htm
Common Whitetail – one male
…
Dave and Kathy Biggs, Doug Aguillard
Soda Springs, Squaw Valley Rd, McCloud
Western Forktail – many pruinose females
Swift Forktail – some http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/swift_forktail.htm
http://southwestdragonflies.net/damsels/cadamselphotos/swiftFSiskiyou07b.jpg
http://southwestdragonflies.net/damsels/cadamselphotos/swiftMSiskiyou07b.JPG
*Western Red Damsel Amphiagrion abbreviatum – a few http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/western_red_damsel.htm
http://southwestdragonflies.net/damsels/cadamselphotos/WesternRedDamselM07b.JPG
California Darner, 1-2 males
Four-spotted Skimmer – abundant http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/four.htm
Common Whitetail – several
12-spotted Skimmer - many
Cardinal Meadowhawk – one or two males
May 26, 2007
San Bernardino County
Peter Siminski
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve; 9:00a.m. - 11:00a.m., sunny,
70-90 degrees, calm
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida ~15
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 3
Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 2
Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum 1M
Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 1
…
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Coachella Valley Preserve,
Thousand Palms Oasis; 12:15p.m.-1:00p.m., 95 degrees, light wind
California Dancer, Argia agrioides 3 (tandem)
Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida ~20 (tandem
ovipositing)
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 1F
Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 1F
Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 1
…….
Siskiyou County
Ray Bruun, Dave and Kathy Biggs, Doug Aguillard, Joe
Smith and his friend, Jen
Gumboot Lake
Darner Sp. – Blue-eyed &/or CA. – a few seen by Kathy/Dave and Doug
Common Green Darner – a few seen by Kathy/Dave and Doug
Grappletail -
one cruising stream coming into the lake seen by Ray
American Emerald – hundreds were merging along the shoreline, but only about 12 adults
were seen, all between Big Gumboot and Little Gumboot and all immature.
http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/Dragonfly_Pages/american_emerald.htm
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - several adults
Four-spotted Skimmer – many http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/four.htm
No/Bo Bluets,
quite a few; many teneral and immature
Pacific Forktail - a few males seen by Kathy and Doug.
Also had quite a few butterflies, the best (for Ray)
being Bramble Hairstreak.
The group split up after Gumboot.
…
Ray Bruun
Shasta and Klamath Rivers above Yreka
[See the Biggs report above for Shasta River @ Hudson
Rd.]
"Tree of Heaven" Campground (Klamath
River). Hwy 96
I arrived too late to get much picture taking done, I
saw some dragons patrolling low which I couldn't identify.
They were very dark with some yellow markings. I went
back to the car and grabbed a net, capturing two of them.
They were both male *Beaverpond Baskettail,
but much darker than I'm accustomed to seeing in Shasta County.
The one that appeared most mature had a blue eye, not
the teal that I normally see -- maybe the eyes were still turning.
Pix - http://bruunphotography.com/siskiyou_052607.html
[note: we had the exact same experience at Orr Lake, see below – kb] – last
sighting 2007
…
Doug Aguillard, Kathy and Dave Biggs
Ponds along North Shore Rd, Mt. Shasta City, near
Lake Siskiyou
Looking for the elusive Canada Darner, didn’t find
it, but did net a
California Darner, one male in hand http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/Dragonfly_Pages/california_darner.htm
Common Green Darner - a few males
4-Spotted Skimmer- several
Blue Dasher
– a few males
Bluets
Orr Lake (near Bray off of Hwy 97 NE of Weed).
Beaverpond Baskettail http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/Dragonfly_Pages/beaverpond_baskettail.htm
*Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta) – a few http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/dot.htm
May 24, 2007Colusa County
Greg Kareofelas
Bear Creek
Hetaerina americana - lots
Argia lugens - lots
Argia vivida- lots
Enallagma cyathigerum – field
guess
Cordulegaster dorsalis – 1 male
Erpetogomphus compositus White-belted Ringtail
Gomphus kurilis
Progomphus borealis
Aeshna californica - 1 male
for sure
Aeshna multicolor – few
Anax junius – 1-2
males
Anax walsinghami – 2 males
Macromia magnifica – many
*Brechmorhoga mendax Pale-faced Clubskimmer - less
than 5
Erythemis collocata 1 male
Libellula forensis 1 male
Libellula luctuosa Widow Skimmer 1 male
Libellula lydia -1 male
Libellula saturata - lots
May 23, 2007Sonoma CountyDoug VaughanLake Ralphine in Santa Rosa….Iexplored the north shore of the lake between noon and 2:30, mainly looking for Beaverpond Baskettails (Tetragoneuria canis), I species I'd never seen. The place was humming with odes, but I've still never seen a baskettail! It's hard to know whether this species has already called it a season there, or whether I just missing it. If it was there, it was vastly outnumbered by six abundant species:Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)Com. Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis)Widow Skimmer (L. luctuosa)Flame Skimmer (L. saturata)Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
Present in smaller numbers wereRhionaeschna [presumably] sp. -- one male, one ovipositing female
Pacific Clubtail (Gomphus kurilis) -- three, inc one ovipositing female
Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula)
bluets of both the mostly-dark and mostly-blue persuasion were also present, but I spent little time
looking at damsels. Surprising (to me) was the complete absence of meadowhawks.The distribution of Beaverpond Baskettails continues to intrigue me: Presumably common, often abundant (I wouldn't know!), just north of SF Bay, but completely absent -- as in *never* recorded – to the south. Why it finds ponds in eastern Alameda and Contra Costa counties unsuitable is a mystery to me.
May 22, 2007
Santa Clara CountyJohn Hall, David Edwards
Monte Bello OSPseep areaVivid Dancer 35
Pacific Forktail 2
Swift Forktail 2
pond area*Northern Spreadwing Enallagma annexum 1
Black Spreadwing 8
Bluet,sp 150
Boreal/Northern Bluet 5
Arroyo Bluet 70
Pacific Forktail 25
Swift Forktail 2
Western Forktail 20
Mosaic Darner,sp 2
Common Green Darner 1
California Darner 1
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Eight-spotted Skimmer 30
Flame Skimmer 15
Common Whitetail