California's Year 2010 Dragonflies

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  (some new, but prior to 2010 records are listed at the bottom of the page)
OC= Odonata Central: http://odonatacentral.bfl.utexas.edu/records/US_new_records.asp - please report new county records here also
*= first/last sighting of species of year in CA 
**= new flight data for species in CA
#= possibly a migratory event
MO= many observers (usually means a field trip full of observers)
 

As of the most recent date below,

93 species (out of 113 known species) have been reported to this site as flying in CA in the 2010 season (one species flying in Jan. was end of 2009 season).

21 new county records &/or upgrades to county records have been reported this year

(this # may include 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.

If you find such a record, please email it to Kathy Biggs <bigsnest at 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 Kathy Biggs <bigsnest at sonic.net> &

Odonata Central: http://odonatacentral.bfl.utexas.edu/records/US_new_records.asp for verification

July

July 25, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Lake Fulmor, San Bernardino National Forest, Elev. 5300’, N33.80402 W-116.78097; 10:15-12:20, 75-80F, 30% cumulus, light air.

Spotted Spreadwing, Lestes congener 8 including two in-hand.

Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum >85 including 6 in-hand and many tandem pairs.

Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula  32

Rhionaeschna sp. 8

Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum 10

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 4

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 20 including one wheel.

Fuller Mill Creek, SBNP, N33.79878 W-116.74807, Elev.5200’; ~9:45am.

Pacific Spiketail, Cordulegaster dorsalis  2

…….
Alameda County
Noah Arthur 
Brookdale Park, Oakland
mosaic and/or neotropical darners - 5 (couldn't catch them; the size and structure of the large park field gives the darners the advantage over my net).
Spot-winged Glider - many (one large swarm at one corner of the field; stragglers elsewhere).
Wandering Glider – 3 (with the Spot-winged swarm).

July 24, 2010
Lassen County
Tim Manolis
Silver Lake
*Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus
…….
El Dorado County
Noah Arthur 
powerline cut near Fleming Meadow: (not specifically looking for odes, but found a few anyway)
Spotted Spreadwing - 3.
Pacific Spiketail - about 10.
Striped Meadowhawk - many. (clouds of them in one area above sun-dappled forest floor w/ small dead shrubs for perches).
 

July 23, 2010

Lassen County

Tim Manolis

Susanville

*Great Basin Snaketail Ophiogomphus morrisoni
Willow Lake

*White-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum obtrusum

…….

Kern county

Ali Sheehey

Kern River at Delonagha raft takeout

California spreadwing

July 22, 2010

Siskiyou County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Pumice Stone Well in the Medicine Lake Highlands area. We first went to for dragonflies, 
Emerald Spreadwing - many
No/ Bo Bluet - abundant
Pacific Forktail - few
Western Forktail - some
Blue-eyed Darner - 1 female in hand, others perhaps this species, but in all, very few darners
American Emerald - many, the most abundant emerald species
Mountain Emerald - 1 male in hand, other probably this species
Dot-tailed Whiteface - 1 male seen
Eight-spotted Skimmer - few
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - few
Four-spotted Skimmer - 1 or more [spots before our eyes again, although the green eyes of the emeralds were more commanding!]
Striped Meadowhawk - few (all young or teneral)
Flame Skimmer - 1 probably this species seen from a distance
We returned via Harris Springs Rd. About 10 miles out from Hiway 89 we explored a meadow where we suspected there would be water this year.
We did find a small pond with many many butterflies and a few dragonflies: The coordinates - N41 23.277 W121 47.209 Elevation 4575. 
late afternoon, ~5-6 pm.
Emerald Spreadwing
Darner sp. (Aeshna type)
Eight-spotted Skimmer
Four-spotted Skimmer
Further out in the meadow were dozens of Mountain Bluebirds. We also saw one Horned Lark! We weren't expecting that!
The butterflies at the pond site were amazing. There were some wildflowers still in bloom too and the ?sage? smelled so lovely. A site worth exploring!
…….

Lassen County

Tim Manolis
Willow Lake
*Taiga Bluet Coenagrion resolutum
 
July 20, 2010
Alameda County
Noah Arthur
ditches near Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park:
Black Spreadwing - 3.
Aztec Dancer
California Dancer (not sure of numbers of these two species).
Vivid Dancer - 10+ (in one spot on rocks in a large ditch).
Arroyo Bluet - 1.
Tule Bluet - about 5.
Desert Firetail - 3. (incl. an ovipositing pair with a spectacular fire-tailed male).
Western Forktail - a few.
Black-fronted Forktail - hundreds.
Pacific Forktail - 2.
Common Green-darner - about 10.
Blue-eyed Darner - 1+ (one caught, other Rhionaeschna probably this species).
Western Pondhawk - 3.
Blue Dasher - about 10.
Flame Skimmer - about 5.
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 2. (both males).
 
July 19, 2010
Alameda County
Noah Arthur
Brookdale Park, Oakland:
Vivid Dancer - 1.
Walker's Darner - 1 teneral andromorph female.
Spot-winged Glider - many.
 

July 18, 2010
Mono County

Zack Smith

Luther Pass (hwy 89 south of Lake Tahoe).
Hudsonian whiteface - Many of both males and females.

…….
Plumas, Lassen Counties

Steve Rottenborn

Hudsonian Whiteface

Modoc County

*Crimson-ringed Whiteface Leucorrhinia glacialis

July 17, 2010
Alameda County
Alice Cavette
Fremont
*California Spreadwing Archilestes californica - female - photos taken

…….

Colusa County

Tim Manolis, Jerry Marinovich and Frank Verstraete

Bear Creek (along Bear Valley Road just north of Hwy 20).

This is such a special spot for odonate watching that, if you've never been there, you really should check it out.  We saw:

Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- only 2-3 patrolling males.

Giant Darner (Anax walsinghami) -- might have been up to 5-6 males present along a short stretch of the creek, 1-2 almost always in sight. 

Caught one male for great in-hand looks.  Frank found a gigantic darner exuviae in stream-side sedges that had to have been one of this species.

White-belted Ringtail (Erpetogomphus compositus) -- about 10 seen on streamside rocks.

Gray Sanddragon (Progomphus borealis) -- 3-4 at a shallow-water, sand-bottomed inlet beside the stream.

Western River Cruiser (Macromia magnifica) -- frequently seen flying by, perhaps 3-4.

Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) -- rather scarce, only a couple seen.

Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) -- about 20 or so males flying about over slow, deep parts of the creek.

Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) -- easily 60 or more along a short stretch of the creek.

We saw mating and egg deposition by a female whilst guarded by a hovering male.

Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) -- one male netted as it flew along the creek. 

No doubt others seen amongst the hordes of dragonflies over the rice country near Williams.

Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) -- Abundant, 100s seen, not just along the creek but on the drive there, over rice fields, etc.

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) -- 6-10 along the creek, including one ovipositing pair.

American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) -- 10 males along the creek.

California Dancer (Argia agrioides) -- 20-30, some ovipositing pairs seen.

Sooty Dancer (Argia lugens) -- 14 seen.

Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum) -- 80-100, including ovipositing pairs.

Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) --  a male netted on the creek coming down from Wilbur Hot Springs.

Northern Bluet (Enallagma annexum) -- 80-100, including ovipositing pairs (1 female seen ovipositing alone, completely submerged about 5 cm below the surface).

Desert Forktail (Ischnura barberi) -- 18, mostly males, seen at a salt grass-edged stretch of the Wilbur Hot Springs creek a short distance below the gate to the hot springs.

Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula) -- about 10 seen.

Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva) -- only 2 mature females seen.

July 16, 2010
San Diego County
Doug Aguillard 
man-made lake at Greenwood Cemetery 
I was absolutely surprised to find approximately 20+ Red-tailed Pennants flying at this lake with the more common resident odes. 
This is extremely fun, as my list for this lake, just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Common Green Darner: 5
Flame Skimmer: 3
Western Pondhawk: 3
Blue Dasher: 2
Mexican Amberwing: 3
Red-tailed Pennant: 20+
Red Saddlebags: 20+
Pacific Forktails: 5
 

July 15, 2010

San Francisco County
Noah Arthur 
Ft. Point, 
San Francisco Forktail - lots of them, both males and females, in the ditch by the road to the Fort, just as described on Kathy Biggs's website.
The males seemed to frequent spots where the vegetation was matted down, perching on the horizontal mats of grass, while the females were less particular.

Vivid Dancers – a few, seemingly mostly females.

……..
Imperial County

Pierre Deviche

West Pond, 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Red-tailed Pennant

Mexican Amberwing

Red Saddlebags

Black Saddlebags

Common Whitetail

Widow Skimmer

Comanche Skimmer

Blue Dasher

Western Pondhawk

Spot-winged Glider

Common Green Darner

White-belted Ringtail

Russet-tipped Clubtail

Powdered Dancer

Blue-ringed Dancer

Rambur's Forktail

American Rubyspot

July 14, 2010

Siskiyou County 
Gumboot Lake
Kathy & Dave Biggs, Chris Beatty and student interns
Boreal Bluet
Darner Sp, Aeshna type
American Emerald
Chalk-fronted Corporal
Eight-spotted Skimmer
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Four-spotted Skimmer
Variegated Meadowhawk
Gumboot Creek
Darner sp, Aeshna type (Walker’s ?)
Clubtail sp.
“Frog Pond” just above Gumboot Creek
Black Petaltail - ~5, males and females
Trinity County
Mumbo Lake (actually the marsh behind the lake) 5-5:30
Emerald Spreadwing -1
Bluet (Boreal?)
Black Petaltail –1 male
American Emerald – many, all teneral and feeding nearby
Mountain Emerald – 1 female wrongly emerged
Variegated Meadowhawk – a few tenerals
 

July 13, 2010

Sacramento County 
American River Parkway near Rio Americano High School
Exclamation Damsel (Zoniagrion exclamationis) -- a bit late for this location (they are abundant here in April and May), but then, it has been a late spring/summer. . .
 

July 11, 2010

Alameda County
Noah Arthur
I was at weedy ditches near Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park [in the] morning and early afternoon,
finding 17 species, the best of which was the very dull female Desert Firetail, on weeds in the ditch adjacent to a small bridge. 
Black Spreadwing - 3
California Dancer - about 10
Vivid Dancer - 4
Tule Bluet - about 10
Western Forktail - seemingly many females and only 2 males
Black-fronted Forktail - hundreds; I've scoured the ditches for San Francisco Forktail, but never found one
Pacific Forktail - 3
Desert Firetail - 1 dull female
Blue-eyed Darner - 2
Common Green darner - 3
Black Saddlebags - 2
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 2
Blue Dasher - many
Western Pondhawk - 1
Common Whitetail - 1
Flame Skimmer - about 5
Spot-winged Glider - 3

…….

San Francisco County

Alan Wight
Fort Point 
San Francisco Forktail – several 
…….
Mendocino County
Tim Manolis 
roadside weeds along Highway 128 in Mendocino County, at mile marker 5.47 east of Highway 1
Western Forktails good numbers.
California Dancers (Argia agrioides) good numbers.

Navarro River at Hendy Woods State Park

Bison Snaketails (Ophiogomphus bison) 5-6 
Western River Cruiser 
 

July 10, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 7:10-11:30, 86-102F, 20-60% stratocumulus, calm to light air.

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 3

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida 3

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 1

Citrine Forktail, I. hastata 5 including one wheel.

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii  21

Common Green Darner, Anax junius >25 including a wheel, and tandem and ovipositing pairs.

Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 14 including a wheel.

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata >45 including ovipositing females.

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis >100

Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 19

Bleached Skimmer, Libellula composita 1

Widow Skimmer, L. luctuosa 18 including ovipositing females.

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata 8

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 18 including a tandem pair.

Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata >100 including many ovipositing tandem pairs.

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata >35 including pairs in tandem.

Red Saddlebags, T. onusta >35 including tandem pairs.

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 1

Wandering Glider, P. flavescens 2

…….

Alpine County

Zack Smith

Hwy 88 W of Carson Pass, Carson Spur – pond at 7900’

American Emerald

…….

Santa Barbara County

Nick Lethaby

I went up to the Caliente Hot Springs, Mono Debris Dam, and the extreme upper Santa Ynez River just below Jameson Lake in the remote SE area of Santa Barbara County today. I was hoping to find something new to the county like a Comanche or Hoary Skimmer in the hot springs area. However there was no such luck. However, there was quite a nice selection of odes given the limited effort I was able to put in:

Gray Sanddragon – 4+

Serpent Ringtail – 1

Red Rock Skimmer – 8+

Flame Skimmer – 6+

Common Whitetail – 1

Lavender Dancer – 8+, first time I have seen this one

Vivid Dancer – 1+

California/Aztec Dancer – 1+

Sooty Dancer - 4

I left most dancers unidentified. I didn’t see anything here I haven’t seen in the sections of the Santa Ynez River along Paradise Road,

except for the Lavender Dancers, which have been seen by others there. Nevertheless it’s probably worth some more thorough exploration.

…….

Sonoma County

Alan Wight

Ellis Creek in Petaluma

Black-fronted Forktail - investigating for possible occurrence of San Francisco Forktails. Images show Black-fronted only.

…….

Mendocino County

Tim Manolis, workshop at Fort Bragg, sponsored by Mendocino Audubon Society, and particularly, by Charlene McAllister and Ron LeValley.

McGuire Pond, about 13.5 miles east of Fort Bragg along Highway 20 (on private property, access generously arranged by Ron LeValley). 

This pond (more of a small lake) had a nice variety of odonates, including:

Northern Bluet (Enallagma annexum) -- common, a number of males netted, easily 100 or more seen (but some probably Boreal Bluets)

Boreal Bluet (Enallagma boreale) -- one male netted (see above)

Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum) -- fairly common, 80-100 seen, a few males netted.

Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva) -- one female netted.

Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula) -- common, 100s seen.

Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva) -- a male netted by Matthew Matthiessen.

Spreadwing (Lestes sp?) -- one seen briefly, escaped the net unfortunately

Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- 1 patrolling male seen

Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor) -- perhaps 30 seen, a few netted.

California Darner (Rhionaeschna californica) -- a male netted, a few others seen.

Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis) -- 2 patrolling males over the pond

Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) -- 10 seen

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) -- about 10 seen

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) -- 1 patrolling male seen

Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis) -- 15-20 seen

Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) -- 10 seen

Red-veined Meadowhawk (Sympetrum madidum) -- 1 male seen

Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes) -- 1 teneral male netted

Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) -- 1 male seen

Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum) -- about 12 seen

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) -- 1-2 patrolling males seen

Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) -- 1 flying by

July 9/10, 2010

Plumas County

Ray Bruun

Old Cow Creek Meadow

*Hudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4781198843/) - 10th

Western Red Damsel – 9th

July 9, 2010
Ventura County
Peter Gaede 
Matilija Creek in Ventura County. This location is one mile west of Matilija Dam, along Matilija Road (Forest Route 5N24), off Hwy 33.
*Serpent Ringtail Epetogomphus lampropeltis – four flying along Matilija Creek
……. 
Colusa County
Tim Manolis 
Bear Creek just above the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 20.
Giant Darner (Anax walsinghami) 
Western River Cruiser (Macromia magnifica) 

Lake County

Upper Cache Creek @ Highway 20

*Pale-faced Clubskimmer (Brechmorhoga mendax) 

July 8, 2010
Tehama County
Ray Bruun
I found a second site for Black Petaltail in the county: Coordinates for this meadow are: N 40.345501° / W 121.479352°
It is just over four tenths of a mile past Wilson Lake Road, there is a wet meadow (elev. 5000') on the right side of the highway, 
about 0.6 miles from the Plumas County line. In the meadow were 
Black Petaltail - many
Grappletail - least one (photo) 
*Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta  - several. 
Western Red Damsel 
and a few other common species. 

July 6, 2010
Imperial County
Gary Suttle
Westside Main Canal, at the Highway 98 bridge crossing, from the north side of the bridge to a footbridge spanning the canal two/tenths of a mile 
beyond the Highway 98 bridge, 10:15-3:00, sunny and occasionally breezy, 91-102 degrees.
Powdered Dancer many
Blue-ringed Dancer some
Familiar Bluet some
Rambur's Forktail 2
*Russet-tipped Clubtail Stylurus plagiatus 4M 1F 
*Brimstone Clubtail Stylurus intricatus 5M 3F (including two wheels)
*White-belted Ringtail Erpetogomphus compositus  6M 4F
Ringtail or Clubtail unidentified 9
Variegated Meadowhawk 1
Wandering Glider  2
Glider sp. 3
Red Saddlebags 4
Between 1 and 3pm, drove north and south of the area described above

…….

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs, Chris & Katie Beatty, interns

MM10 seep
NO Black Petaltails, adults or nymph found
Cardinal Meadowhawk - (gate across road has ended off-roading and reduced but not eliminated shooting. There is room to park 2 vehicles nearby)
Vivid Dancers
Modini property
Vivid Dancers
Emma's Dancers
Sooty Dancer - 1
Blue-eyed Darner - one seen well, others seen perhaps this species or perhaps Calif. Darner
Clubtail sp. (probably Bison rather than Pacific)
Pacific Spiketail - 1
Flame Skimmer - 1
Black Saddlebags – many
Ferguson Spring
Possibly a Hoary Skimmer flew past us in the parking area!

July 3, 2010

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Bigsnest Wildlife Pond, their Sebastopol backyard

Pacific Spiketail
Blue-eyed Darner
8-spotted Skimmer
Flame Skimmer
Cardinal Meadowhawk
……. 
Tehama County
Peter Gaede
Wilson Lake 
Emerald Spreadwing - 1
dancer sp. - 70
Black Petaltail Tanypteryx hageni- 1 male (ph); first-county record.
Common Green Darner - 12; one caught and decapitated a Four-spotted Skimmer.
Dot-tailed Whiteface - 50
*Chalk-fronted Corporal Ladona julia - 25
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 10
Four-spotted Skimmer - 30
The petaltail was along a seep-like corridor about one-hundred yards northwest of the lake along Rd. 769. 
This is about 1/4 mile from the Plumas County line.
…….
Lassen County
Steve Rottenborn
Blue Lakes
Spiny Baskettail Epitheca spinigera – 2-6
The number of exuviae along the shoreline between the boat ramp and the lake's outlet was lower than during the emergence I observed on 9 June last year, 
But I saw about 20 near the boat launch and 100 more closer to the lake'soutlet, on sedges, rocks, and logs. No baskettails were emerging whileI was there, 
but I saw 6 mature individuals flying around the scrub and the marsh near the outlet, and photos of two males confirmed that theywere Spiny rather than 
Beaverpond Baskettails (though the baskettails along the South Fork of the Pit River just 6 miles to the NW, in ModocCounty, were Beaverponds).
 

July 2/3, 2010

Modoc County

Steve Rottenborn

2 July - BVM = Big Valley Mountains, a small seasonal wetland in the coniferous forest at 4600' along CR 94 east of Day,

SW corner of Modoc County
WV = Widow Valley, creek and ponds in pasture along CR 94 between Day and Lookout
RC = Rush Creek, upstream from Highway 299 northeast of Adin/Round Valley
MNWR-a = Modoc NWR auto tour loop in Alturas
3 July - GL = Goose Lake, just south of the state line in New Pine Creek
LLP = Lower Lily Pond, along Forest Service Road 2 east of New Pine Creek
NFPR = North Fork of Pit River, at Highway 395 pullout 4.2 mi N of Rt. 299 (N of Alturas)
MNWR-b = another stop at Modoc NWR
PCR = Pine Creek Reservoir, SE of Alturas
SFPR = South Fork of Pit River, between Likely and Jess Valley
Species, locations, and approximate numbers were as follows:
River Jewelwing:  NFPR (45)
American Rubyspot:  NFPR (12)
Spotted Spreadwing:  MNWR-a (1), MNWR-b (4)
Emerald Spreadwing:  BVM (10), WV (1)
*Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus:  BVM (10)
*Western Red Damsel Amphiagrion abbreviatum:  GL (25), LLP (3), NFPR (1)
Emma's Dancer:  RC (10), NFPR (25)
Sooty Dancer:  NFPR (1)
Aztec Dancer:  WV (2; ID confirmed by photo)
Vivid Dancer:  WV (5), RC (150), NFPR (12), SPFR (5)
Boreal Bluet (all male No/Bo Bluets identified in-hand were Boreal):  WV (2 No/Bo), RC (1 in hand),  LLP (15 in hand + 15 No/Bo), NFPR (1 No/Bo),

PCR (5 in hand + 100s No/Bo)
Tule Bluet:  RC (1), MNWR-a (25), MNWR-b (100s)
*Alkali Bluet Enallagma clausum:  GL (3)
Pacific Forktail:  WV (25), MNWR-a (10), SFPR (2)
Western Forktail:  BVM (40), WV (125), RC (5), MNWR-a (2), LLP (50), NFPR (15), MNWR-b (15), PCR (15), SFPR (4)
Common Green Darner:  BVM (1), WV (1), MNWR-a (1), NFPR (1), PCR (3), SFPR (1)
California Darner:  BVM (1), WV (2), LLP (20), NFPR (1), MNWR-b (2), PCR (4), SFPR (1)
Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta:  RC (1 male); I realized that this individual was early and tried to get photos, but was unsuccessful;

it flew by me repeatedly at close range, and its very poorly marked thorax (with broken, very thin lateral stripes) was evident
Blue-eyed Darner:  WV (1), MNWR-a (2), MNWR-b (1)
Grappletail:  RC (25 - 1 male collected, as I don't think there were prior Modoc County specimen records)
Pacific Clubtail:  MNWR-a (1)
*Pale Snaketail Ophiogomphus occidentis:  NFPR (1)
Beaverpond Baskettail:  WV (1), MNWR-a (3), NFPR (3), SFPR (2)
Western Pondhawk:  WV (3), MNWR-a (2)
Dot-tailed Whiteface:  LLP (1), MNWR-b (2)
Eight-spotted Skimmer: WV (7), MNWR-a (8), NFPR (4), MNWR-b (9), PCR (30), SFPR (2)
Twelve-spotted Skimmer:  BVM (1), WV (25), RC (4), MNWR-a (2)
Four-spotted Skimmer:  WV (4), LLP (15), MNWR-b (2), PCR (2)
Common Whitetail:  WV (20), RC (4) , MNWR-a (4)
Black Meadowhawk Sympetrum danae:  GL (1), MNWR-b (2)
Variegated Meadowhawk:  BVM (1), MNWR-a (15), GL (2), MNWR-b (30), PCR (4)
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum internum:  MNWR-b (1 male)
Striped Meadowhawk:  BVM (23), MNWR-a (1), GL (2)
Black Saddlebags:  MNWR-a (1)

July 2, 2010

Inyo County

Ron and Barbara Oriti
Hot Ditch at Keough's
Saw a couple enjoying the waters with their dog, a pointer.  Well, he would very closely watch the dragonflies, and then point at them the way  
pointers normally do for birds. They said he has been 'pointing' dragonflies since he was a puppy.  It was really cute to see! 
Western Pondhawks
Flame Skimmers
Gray Sanddragons - a couple

July 1, 2010

Mono County

Ron Oriti
DeChambeau Ponds
Red Saddlebags - lots
Black Saddlebags - lots 
8-spots - lots 
Common Green darners - lots 
Mosaics type darners 
Variegated Meadowhawk - some and 
4-spotted Skimmer - a few
 
June

June 28, 2010
San Francisco County 

Doug Aguillard, son Tim; and Pat

Fort Point

*San Francisco Forktail Ischnura gemina ~4 http://tinyurl.com/23flzuj
Red Saddlebags - 1
 
June 27/28, 2010
Mendocino County 
Doug Aguillard, son Tim; and Pat; Kathy & Dave Biggs
Chandelier Drive Thru Redwood Tree Park
Thousand or more dragonflies there:
Western Pondhawk – many
8-spotted Skimmer - tons!
Widow Skimmer - a few
12-spotted Skimmer - a few
Flame Skimmer - a few
Striped Meadowhawk – 1
Common Whitetail - tons and tons!! Movies taken!
Blue-eyed Darner – one
Common Green Darner - a few
Tule Bluet – some
No/Bo Bluet - a few
Western Forktail - a few noted
 
June 27, 2010
Alameda County 
Alice Cavette 
Lake Elizabeth, Fremont 
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis - female
…….
Humboldt County 
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Eel River @ Avenue of the Giants NP
American Rubyspot
Emma’s Dancer
Sooty Dancer 
Clubtail sp.
Flame Skimmer

June 25-27, 2010
Trinitiy County – CalOdes Blitz
Kathy & Dave Biggs; Ray Bruun & son Steven; Doug Vaughan & wife Doris Kretschmer; Gary Suttle; Doug Aguillard & son Tim, & Pat Sherman; 
Joanie Ball and friend Tristan Rinehart - http://www.flickr.com/photos/26704961@N03/4754127212/in/set-72157624279089043/
Species listed in ~ order seen:
 1. Four-spotted Skimmer - pond/marsh across from Wildwood Store on Hwy 36; Seep & pond @ corner of Ruth-Zenia Rd. & Forest Route 2908
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4740588210/in/photostream/
 2. Common Whitetail - pond/marsh across from Wildwood Store on Hwy 36; many other places
 3. Western Forktail - pond/marsh across from Wildwood Store on Hwy 36; many other places
 4. Tule Bluet - pond/marsh across from Wildwood Store on Hwy 36; many other places
 5. Black Spreadwing - pond/marsh across from Wildwood Store on Hwy 36
 (only a few noted) & @ marsh @ south end of Ruth Reservoir (very
 many noted) (100s presumed to be this species at Ewing Res.):
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4740579752/in/photostream/
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4740581464/in/photostream/
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4740580526/in/photostream/
 6. California Darner (Rhionaeschna californica) - pond/marsh across from Wildwood Store on Hwy 36 (one male collected); 
 also found elsewhere in the area: CA Chart #105 OC#:* 320345:
 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/CADarnerMT2010Trinitiy.jpg
 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/CADarnerMS2010Trinitiy.jpg 
 7. Swift Forktail (Ischnura erratica) - pond/marsh across from Wildwood Store on Hwy 36 (one male collected); CA Chart #55 OC#: 320344 
 also found pond @ corner of Ruth-Zenia Rd. & Forest Route 2908. OC#: 320344 
 many at the large pond on Haman Ridge beside County Road 503. at mile marker 18
 http://southwestdragonflies.net/damsels/cadamselphotos/SwiftForktailMTrinityCo2010Blitz.jpg
 8. Boreal Bluet - in-hand ID, pond/marsh across from Wildwood Store on Hwy 36; a few seen elsewhere earlier were probably this species
 9. Pacific Forktail - pond/marsh across from Wildwood Store on Hwy 36; many other places
 10. Vivid Dancer - near pond under bridge at Hwy 36 @ String Bean Creek (near Wild-Mad Rd.)
 11. Bison Snaketail - Forest Glen campsite/Trinity River; Sheriff's Cove and other sites:
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4739947123/in/photostream/
 12. Grappletail - Forest Glen campsite/Trinity River; many also seen on Wildwood Creek:
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/26704961@N03/4753515071/in/set-72157624279089043/
 13. Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis) - Marina at Ruth Reservoir, many there: CA Chart #105, OC#:320347 
 (later found to be extremely abundant at lake and below dam) (one male collected)
 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/Beaverpond_TrinityBlitz2010.jpg
 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/Beaverpond_TrinityBlitz2010top.jpg
 14. Common Green Darner - Sheriff's Cove @ Ruth Lake; many other places
 15. Pacific Clubtail - Sheriff's Cove @ Ruth Reservoir (one male collected) OC#: 320346
 http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/SubmissionAction.get/submission_id/320346 
 16. Northern Bluet - in hand ID, seep and pond @ corner of Ruth-Zenia Rd. & Forest Route; this species probably at many other places  
 17. Red-veined Meadowhawk - marsh @ south end of Ruth Reservoir; thousand or more were mass emerging 
 - clouds of tenerals on first flight as we walked thru!!
 18. Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis) - marsh @ south end of Ruth Reservoir: CA Chart #55 OC#:320399 PHOTO RECORD
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4739953689/in/photostream/
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4739953689/
 19. Twelve-spotted Skimmer - marsh @ south end of Ruth Reservoir (only a few noted)
 20. Emerald Spreadwing - marsh @ south end of Ruth Reservoir (only a few noted)
 21. Cardinal Meadowhawk - small pond off of Mad River (2700') near Ruth and @ pond @ corner of Ruth-Zenia Rd. & Forest Route 2908 &
 large pond on Haman Ridge beside County Road 503 at mile marker 18 & one or two elsewhere:
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4739943693/in/photostream/ 
 22. Pacific Spiketail - Upper Mad River above Ruth Reservoir, @ ~Ruth Zenia Bridge (1 of only 2 seen on Blitz)
 23. Emma's Dancer - Upper Mad River above Ruth Reservoir, @ ~Ruth Zenia Bridge (1 of only ~2 seen on Blitz):
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4739942897/in/photostream/
 24. Flame Skimmer - Upper Mad River above Ruth Reservoir, @ ~Ruth Zenia Bridge (not many seen on Blitz)
 25. Striped Meadowhawk - seep and pond @ corner of Ruth Zenia Rd. & Forest Route 2908 (1 male of only ~3 seen on entire Blitz)  
 26. Black Petaltail - seep and pond @ corner of Ruth-Zenia Rd. & Forest Route 2908 (total of 4 seen, 
 one male collected for Chris Beatty's DNA study). This is a new site for this species. OC#: 320348
 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/BlackPetaltailMT_Trinity2010.jpg
 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/BlackPetaltailMT_Trinity2010.jpg 
 27. Blue-eyed Darner - in hand near pond under bridge at Hwy 36 @ String Bean Creek (near Wild-Mad Rd.) 
 and a few seen elsewhere earlier were probably this species.
 28. *Walker's Darner - pond under bridge at Hwy 36 @ String Bean Creek (near Wild-Mad Rd.) (male collected) 
 and many seen on Wildwood Creek OC#:320343
 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/AeshnaWalkeriMT2010Trinitiy2.jpg
 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/AeshnaWalkeriMS2010Trinitiy2.jpg
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/26704961@N03/4753500629/in/set-72157624279089043/
 29. Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) - Ewing Reservoir, Hayfork & south of Zenia OC#: 320401 PHOTO RECORD CA Chart #105, OC#: 320401 
 30. Dot-tailed Whiteface - Ewing Reservoir, Hayfork
 31. Widow Skimmer (Libellula. luctuosa) - Ewing Reservoir, Hayfork; abundant, though mostly teneral (young male collected) CA Chart #40 OC#: 320413
 32. *Mountain Emerald Somatochlora semicircularis - at the pond @ corner of Ruth-Zenia Rd. & Forest Route 2908
 
June 25, 2010
Butte County
Gary Suttle
Cherry Hill Campground and vicinity, 3:00-6:30, partly sunny, 75-70 degrees.
Vivid Dancer 6
Western Red Damsel 1F
Black Petaltail >25* Males outnumbered females approximately 2 to 1

*Arrived late in the day. Between 3 and 4 pm., observed only 2 males basking and 1 female ovipositing at the campground boggy slope just south of the entrance parking lot and east of the road; none at site by the creek. Between 4 and 6:30 pm., found counted 20+ Petaltails resting on rocks and tree trunks in the late afternoon light, along the use trail that extends northward from a parking pull-out near the bridge crossing west of the campground entrance (the trail leads to a huge boggy expanse--acres of Petaltail habitat--now graced with orchids, shooting stars, and other wildflowers). When stirred, the dragonflies moved upslope to catch waning sunbeams. Saw a female vibrate her wings at 6:05, perhaps to maintain warmth, reluctant to end her day in the sun.

June 23, 2010

Sonoma County

Alan Wight

Nagasawa Park in Santa Rosa
The highlight was a male Band-winged Meadowhawk (top photo on web page):
http://www.sonic.net/~shwand/odonata/band_winged_meadowhawk.htm
The full list of species observed is:
Tule Bluet
Black Spreadwing
Black Saddlebags
Flame Skimmer
*Band-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum semicinctum
Cardinal Meadowhawk
Widow Skimmer
Common Whitetail
Eight-spotted Skimmer
Western Pondhawk
Blue Dasher
Green Darner

June 21, 2010
Contra Costa County
Rob Thomas
Briones RP, Maricich & Sindicich Logoons, 1100-1400hrs, 78-86, clear, light N breeze
Black Spreadwing – abundant
Spotted Spreadwing - abundant
Pacific Forktail – many
Western Forktail – abundant, mostly juveniles
Tule/Arroyo type Bluets – abundant
Familiar Bluet – many
Northern/Boreal Bluet - many
Blue-eyed Darner – few
California Darner – few
Common Green Darner - few
Common Whitetail – many
Flame Skimmer - 2
Eight-spotted Skimmer – few
Widow Skimmer - 1
Cardinal Meadowhawk – few
Red-veined Meadowhawk – 4
Striped Meadowhawk – 2
Variegated Meadowhawk – few, none near water
Western Pondhawk - few
Black Saddlebags – 1 tandem
Spreadwings were everywhere, outnumbering all other species combined.

June 18, 2010
Tulare County
Don Roberson with Rita Carratello, Steve Laymon, Pam Williams
Pixley NWR, Tulare Co. [9:20-12:20; sunny & hot, slight breeze]; habitat mostly arid short grass prairie but two small wetlands with water & edging reeds
Black-fronted Forktail 3
Familiar Bluet 1 m [confirmed by photo review of appendage]
Common Green Darner 5
Common Whitetail 1 m
Black Saddlebags 10, incl. sev wheels
mostly herping & birding, but Tulare Co. reports rather few

June 17/18, 2010

Mono County

Zack Smith

DeChambeau Ponds

8-spotted skimmer
4-spotted skimmer
black saddlebags
Var. meadowhawk
unk. Mosaic darner
Green darner

Red saddlebags
 
June 17, 2010

Siskiyou County 

Ray Bruun and Rob Santry 
on a wet hillside on the south side of Bear Creek near Pondosa (SE Siskiyou County). Elevation is 4100'. 
Black Petaltail a dozen or so
We also had one in the forest about a mile south of there in Shasta County.
…….

Shasta County 

Ray Bruun
Lake McCumber 
*Dot-tailed Whiteface Leucorrhinia intacta - many
*American Emerald Cordulia shurtleffii - many
California Darner 
Red-veined Meadowhawk
At a nearby meadow:
Pacific Spiketail – male

Four-Spotted Skimmer – male

I also saw a bear, pretty neat.

Some pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/

…….

Alameda County

Alice Cavette

Lake Elizabeth, Fremont

Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum - 3

Blue-eyed Darners ~10, two of which were in a mating wheel.

…….

San Diego County

Gary Suttle
Escondido, Felicita Creek, 1:00-1:30, clear, 77 degrees.
Vivid Dancer 6
Neon Skimmer 1M
Flame Skimmer 4
Clevenger Canyon, Santa Ysabel Creek, 2:00-4:10, clear, 80 degrees.
American Rubyspot 1
California Dancer 7
*Lavender Dancer Argia hinei 1M 1F tandem, ovipositing (note below)
Vivid Dancer >10
Black-fronted Forktail 2
Desert Firetail 1
Flame Skimmer 3
(Note)This site, a 20 foot long section of a seasonal, barely flowing stream with a few rocks and much emergent vegetation in a sunny opening among riparian oaks, sycamores, etc. harbors a very 
small population of Argia hinei. In a dozen visits over the last three years, found a single male on one day (7-28) in 2008, a single male on one day (5-8) in 2009, and this male and female so far in 
2010. Since this was my first view of a female and male together, I observed them with great interest. Caught sight of the pair in a wheel at 2:14. They began tandem ovipositing a few minutes later, 
and remained attached for just over an hour and a half, the female almost unceasingly engaged in laying eggs until 3:48. They spent only 10 or 15 seconds at places where she found no easy 
purchase on sedge stem, damp twigs, submerged leaves, algae mats, etc., but up to 5+ minutes where ovipositing succeeded. The male assumed various postures, from vertical to horizontal, 
depending upon the chosen substrate. Occasionally, they would take a break, alight on a rock or a leaf for a minute or so, and then return to their task. After decoupling, the female continued to 
solo oviposit for another 10 minutes, with the male perched a few feet away. As shadows lengthened over the stream, they independently flew upward and out of sight to a sunnier exposure, 
at precisely 4:00.
 
June 15, 2010

San Diego County

Gary Suttle
Pine Valley Creek, 1000-11:30, clear, breezy, 78-82 degrees.
Grappletail - 2M   First sighting of season, basking on streamside vegetation.  One occasionally gave chase to patrolling 
Pacific Spiketails, then returned to the perch from which it took off.
Lake Cuyumaca, two ponds separated by a berm, east of the lake and adjacent to the Minshall Trail,  12:30-2:45, windy, 77 degrees.  
Spotted Spreadwing  >700 conservative estimate,  all tenerals and immatures.   For a time, every step in the shoreline grasses stirred a half dozen or more, their fresh wings glistening in the sun. 
Lestes congener seen in vastly larger numbers than L. stultus at this site on 6-4-10. 

Black Spreadwing  1M  2F  

Focused on the spreadwings, but other species seen included 
Pacific Forktail
Black-fronted Forktail
Western Forktail

Common Green Darner
Blue-eyed Darner
Variegated Meadowhawk
Blue Dasher
Flame Skimmer
Red Saddlebags
…….
Siskiyou County 
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Shasta Rv @ Hudson Rd., ~8 miles north of Yreka) [thanks Cary for our prior report that convinced us to take the time to spot by); 11-12:15, 63-69F; breezy 
River Jewelwing - many; photos of males and females
American Rubyspot - ~12

Emma's Dancer - abundant!

Vivid Dancer - a few

No/Bo Bluet - very few (we were not IN the water)

Western Forktail - 6+ (m&f)

Pacific Clubtail - very many, many wheels

Sinuous Snaketail - many, but only half as many as Pacific Clubtails

California Darner - 1-2

Common Green Darner - 1-2

Beaverpond Baskettail - 1-2 (probably this species)

Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 2-3 males; I watched one try to catch a Jewelwing – it was almost successful
At our McCloud home pond:
Blue-eyed Darner – 1

June 13, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 7:40-12:40, 75-95F, 5% cumulus, light air to light breeze S.

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 2

Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula 8

Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum 1 in hand.

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi >25

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii  >40

Common Green Darner, Anax junius 10

Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata >30

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata >50

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis >100

Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche >50

Bleached Skimmer, Libellula composita 23 including four tandem pairs.

Widow Skimmer, L. luctuosa >30 including one tandem pair.

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata 14

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 5

Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata >100 including many ovipositing tandem pairs.

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata >75 including five pairs in tandem.

Red Saddlebags, T. onusta >50 including five tandem pairs.

Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 8

…….

Tulare County
Don Robersonwith Rita Carratello, Steve Laymon, Pam Williams
Pixley NWR, Tulare Co.  [9:20-12:20; sunny & hot, slight breeze]- habitat mostly arid short grass prairie but two small wetlands with water & edging reeds
Black-fronted Forktail  3
Familiar Bluet  1 m [confirmed by photo review of appendage]
Common Green Darner  5
Common Whitetail  1 m
Black Saddlebags  10, incl. sev wheels
 

June 12, 2010
Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs 
FINALLY!! Dragon weather! Our backyard pond was buzzing with activity, inc.the first Red-veined Meadowhawk in 10 yrs! We actually counted at least 11 species on our 20X24' pond!!
FOY=first of year for our pond, P=picture taken (posted on Facebook):
Vivid Dancer - 1 male
Western Forktail - M& F (P)
Exclamation Damsel - 1 (FOY)
California Darner - female for sure (P), perhaps a male too
Pacific Spiketail - male (P)
Western Pondhawk - 1 male (P) (FOY)
Flame Skimmer - 1 male (P)
Common Whitetail - 1 male 'flyby' - a female skimmer with spotted wings scatter oviposited, perhaps this species but we thought she was more likely an 8-spot (male at the pond yesterday)
Blue Dasher - 1 male (P) (FOY)
Cardinal Meadowhawk - males and females
Red- veined Meadowhawk - male (P) (FOY)
Eight-spotted Skimmer - perhaps a female of this species scatter oviposited
It was too entertaining to leave the pond! At one point we had 2 Cardinals and a Flame all on the same perch!
…….
Yolo County
Ed Whisler
Far east end of Putah Creek at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 10:30-11:30am)(90 F). 
I was looking for Least Bells' Vireos (2 pairs) that have showed up at the Wildlife Area this spring. Habitat is riparian scrub, riverine, and agricultural fields. 
Black Saddlebags (5)
Blue-eyed Darner (3)
Variegated Meadowhawk (2)

June 10, 2010
Sonoma County
Chris Beatty, Kathy & Dave Biggs
The Cedars, out of Cazadero (not open to public); 11-4:30, fair with a slight breeze
Our first stop was the pond at Betty Campbell's:
Common Whitetail - one male cruising the pond, and one exuvia surely of this species found
"Shangri-la" site -
*Black Petaltail, Tanypteryx hageni - 1-2 seen on our way into the cedars, and then one male caught for DNA project on our way out. foy
Roger's land -
Wandering Glider - 1-2 of probably this species seen
Elsewhere along Austin Creek within The Cedars -
Sooty Dancer -  a few seen
Vivid Dancer - quite common
Black Petaltail - possibly seen at one or two other seep sites
Bison Snaketail - fairly common
California Darner - 1-3 seen, 1 male in hand
Flame Skimmer - 1 male seen at one of the seeps.
Not found this trip, Red Rock Skimmers nor Grappletails

…….
San Diego County

Thom David
His Oceanside backyard Pond
*Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis – a female emerged, photos: http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/NeonThomDavid2.jpg

He has had several emerge since then. There were other exuviae on pond prior to the 10^th, but species is unknown.

June 7 & 8, 2010

Siskiyou County

Cary Kerst

Shasta River

Emma’s Dancer

Pacific Forktail

River Jewelwing

American Rubyspot

Western Forktail

Pacific Clubtail

California Darner

There were lots of Rubyspots and Jewelwings as well as Emma’s Dancer (most teneral), many Pacific Clubtails (many tenerals).  
I looked at lots of clubtails looking for an Ophiogomphus without finding even one.
 
June 7, 2010
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
We rafted the Klamath River and saw more bears and otters than odes of any sort.
The sun finally came out and it warmed to the low 80's. Here is what I saw today on thirteen miles of fast moving river. 
River Jewelwing - 1 male at Sarah Totten Campground launch ramp.
2 bears - both mature adults, one black in color, one brown with golden highlights - 2 river otter and a nice selection of birds.

…….

Colusa County

Cary Kerst

Bear Creek

Still not much for early June, but more activity than the previous week.

Flame Skimmer  30

Western Forktail   few

American Rubyspot   few

Northern Bluet   5

Sooty Dancer   few

Western River Cruiser   3

Pacific Forktail  10

California Darner   3

Western Pondhawk   1

June 6, 2006
San Benito County 
Steve Rovell with his children
about an hour and a half of odeing at Anzar Pond, about a mile and a half off of Highway 101 in northern San Benito County. 
The day was fairly warm, but not as warm as Saturday. Sunny skies prevailed. Here is a rundown of what we saw:
Black Spreadwing - many of all types (male, female, teneral)
Western Forktail - several males, 2 females and one gynomorphic brown female
Pacific Forktail - 1
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 3
Variegated Meadowhawk - 5 to 7 (all fresh females)
Blue-eyed Darner - 8
Common Green Darner - 1
One of the Black Spreadwings had abdomen tips that seemed to most closely resemble those of Common Spreadwing. 
These tips looked nothing like what I expected for Black Spreadwing. 
All other field marks pointed to Black.
…….
Santa Barbara County
Nick Lethaby 
I checked out the creek in Santa Barbara Canyon. There were at least 8 Desert Firetails present along with several California/Aztec Dancers. 
I had a quick look at a skimmer go by. It looked most like Flame Skimmer. I have seen Red Rock Skimmer here before.
 
June 5, 2006
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
The aftereffect of an unusually cool spring and seesaw temperatures appears to reduce the diversity of species typically seen at this time of year, even with the Summer Solstice just two weeks away.
Ramona, Barnett Ranch Preserve, small stock pond and freshwater seep, 10:45-12:30, clear, light winds, 81-91 degrees.
Spotted Spreadwing 1 M First adult seen. Observed >30 teneral and immatures of Lestes congener on May 12; none found on May 25.
Familiar Bluet 5
Tule Bluet 3
Pacific Forktail 6
Common Green Darner 2
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Red-veined Meadowhawk 10 tandems, ovipositing
Blue Dasher 1
Variegated Meadowhawk 4
Common Whitetail 1 Female
Flame Skimmer 2
Red Saddlebags 2
Clevenger Canyon, Santa Ysabel Creek 1:10-1:45, 90 degrees
American Rubyspot 3
California Dancer >10 tandem, ovipositing
Vivid Dancer >15
Flame Skimmer 4
[no Lavender Dancer--seen at this location by this time in 2008 and 2009] 
Elfin Forest, Escondido Creek, 2:30-3:00, 79 degrees.
American Rubyspot 6
Vivid Dancer >10
California Dancer few
Pacific Forktail many
Desert Firetail 4
Giant Darner 1M
Red Rock Skimmer 5
 
June 4, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Pine Valley Creek, 11:00-12:30, mostly sunny, light breezes, 77 degrees.
American Rubyspot few
Vivid Dancer many
Northern Bluet some (2 in hand)
Pacific Spiketail 4
Red Rock Skimmer 1 
Flame Skimmer several
Lake Cuyumaca, 12:30-3:00, 82 degrees
Black Spreadwing >20 All teneral and immature, including 5 males, 9 females, and 6 unidentified. 
This new site, two ponds separated by a berm, east of the lake and adjacent to the Minshall Trail, 
lies about7 air miles south of the Lestes stultus population at a pond near Julian. 
Both sites have an elevation of about 4000 feet. Photos in CalOdes Gary Suttle folder: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1051569796/pic/list
 
June 3, 2010
Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Front yard of our Sebastopol home
*Pacific Spiketail Cordulegaster dorsalis - a female was out making 'figure-8s' on our front lawn. She caught something and landed to eat it....we got one good photo
Cardinal Meadowhawk – 1 at tiny wash-tub pond in front and at least 2 at pond in backyard.
Vivid Dancer – 2 males in front yard and at least that many at pond in backyard.
 
June 2, 2010
Colusa County

Tim Manolis and Cary Kerst

Bear Creek Spot right off the turnoff from Hwy 20 at about 10 a.m. and walked around there for a bit.  Water levels a bit high and we did not see a lot.

American Rubyspot -- some

Vivid Dancer -- fairly common

Emma's Dancer -- one

California (?) Dancer (presumably this and not Aztec)

Northern Bluet (probably other species?) -- some

Western Forktail -- a few

Black-fronted Forktail -- a few

California Darner -- a few

Blue-eyed Darner -- one male

Pacific Clubtail -- a few

*Western River Cruiser Macromia magnifica -- one

Western Pondhawk -- a few

Flame Skimmer -- a few

Next we visited a couple of spots along Wilbur Springs from just below the gate to the resort down to the bridge at Bear Creek.

American Rubyspot -- some

Vivid Dancer -- fairly common

Sooty Dancer -- a few

California Dancer

*Boreal Bluet Enallagma boreale -- one

Northern Bluet -- fairly common

Western Forktail -- one male

Pacific Forktail -- a few

Black-fronted Forktail -- a few

Desert Forktail -- I finally got one at this spot (just below the resort gate). I saw this female damsel I could not ID, even in hand, but it struck an odd chord, so I collected it, and lo and behold, examined under a scope it is a Desert Forktail!  But it is so big (one-and-a-half times the size of female specimens I have from the Imperial Valley), and patterned very much like an Enallagma, much like the first one Rosser caught there [ in 2003 at CA DSA annual meeting], so I can see now why he was confused!

Pacific Clubtail -- some

Flame Skimmer 8 --10

Striped Meadowhawk (one teneral)

Our last stop was Cache Creek Trailhead (Actually along Bear Creek a little ways above the confluence with Cache Creek) along Hwy 16.

Vivid Dancer -- common

California Dancer -- common

Sooty Dancer -- some

Northern Bluet -- fairly common

Pacific Clubtail -- fairly common

Flame Skimmer -- a few

We were marveling at how little was flying, especially dragons (the libellulid lists are terrible).

…….

Mono County

*Emerald Spreadwings Lestes dryas – 1st we have seen this year.

June 1, 2010

Siskiyou County

Cary Kerst

Shasta River

River Jewelwing

American Rubyspot

Pacific Clubtail

Western Forktail

California Darner

Green Darner

Emma’s Dancer

*Northern Bluet Enallagma annexum
 
 
May
 
May 29, 2010
Sonoma County

David Hofmann, Mike Parmeter, Alan Wight

We had two very probable Black Petaltail sightings (dark dragonflies with several pale bands flying over the creek) but nothing 100% sure. 

Vivid Dancer - >= 5

Darner sp. – 1

Bison Snaketail – 1-2

…….
Siskiyou County

Dave & Kathy Biggs

Our McCloud home’s pond, ~4700’, warm but still patches of snow on the ground!

Variegated Meadowhawk – one old and somewhat tattered male

…….

Modoc County

Steve Rottenborn

…I found much lower diversity during a trip to Modoc … than I did last May.  In 2009, a trip on 16-17 May produced literally thousands of individuals of 17 species. 

… I visited many of the same areas around Goose Lake, the Pit River, Modoc NWR, and Surprise Valley (including several hot springs SE of Lake City),

and despite the trip being two weeks later than my 2009 May visit,

I found very few individuals of only seven species flying.  Locals said that the temperatures last weekend (reaching the mid-60s F on the 30th and 31st) were the warmest in months,

and the cold weather definitely seemed to have delayed emergence.  Odes observed last weekend, all on 30 May (I looked for and found none flying on the 29th or 31st), were as follows:
Paiute Dancer - 10 at Applegate Hot Spring (including 1 tandem), 4 at Seyferth Hot Spring
Pacific Forktail - 1 at Modoc NWR
Western Forktail - 1 at Applegate Hot Spring
Black-fronted Forktail - 1 at Applegate Hot Spring
Darner sp. (probably California) - 1 at Modoc NWR
Western Pondhawk - 1 at Seyferth Hot Spring
Variegated Meadowhawk - 1 east of Cedarville in Surprise Valley, 20+ at Modoc NWR (including 4 tandems)

May 23, 2010
Sonoma County
Dave & Kathy Biggs, Chris Beatty, Phyllis Schmitt, Sherry Adams, Linda Petrulias, and other Madrone Audubon field trip members
Pine Flat Rd 10-3, 60F, cold gusty winds, mostly sunny 
Black Petaltail – none found, but this is earlier than first flight date for CA.
Black Spreadwings – 1 female 
No/Bo Bluet – several seen
Vivid Dancer – many, especially at Doug’s seep (above Rebizzo ranch)
Grappletail – 4-5 seen, incl. one female at Doug’s seep (above Rebizzo ranch)
Darner sp – 1-2 seen poorly, perhaps CA Darners
Common Whitetail – 3-4 males seen at tiny pond near Ferguson Springs, 1 imm. male seen at MM1.
Flame Skimmer – 1 female seen at tiny protected pond alongside entrance road to pond at MM10. 1 male fly-by at MM10.
Cardinal Meadowhawk – 1 at MM10 pond; 3 seen at tiny pond near Ferguson Springs.
(12-spotted Skimmer) - one participant saw spot winged dragonfly go over the car as we drove along the road. Probably this species.
Russian River @ Alexander Valley Campground
*Emma’s Dancer Argia emma – 1 female seen, very brown colored!
We expect the protection gate and cables to be installed by BLM at MM10 site next week.
 
May 22, 2010
Sonoma County
Dave & Kathy Biggs, Pepperwood Workshop class
Pepperwood Preserve (not open to the public), 1-3, mid-50F, cold gusty winds, mostly cloudy with some sunny patches, and thankfully only a few raindrops fell on us.
Black Spreadwings - many, ALL teneral females except for 1 bronzy male
No/Bo Bluet – several seen
Pacific Forktail - few, incl. some mature males & females and one immature female
Western Forktail - many, mostly mature females, a few mature males found
Common Green Darner - ~ 6 found emerging, one took it's first flight as we watched. All seen were males, one was emerging wrongly and not going to make it. One huge all green nymph seen.
Beaverpond Baskettail - 1 recently dead mature male found floating on the pond.
Eight-spotted Skimmer -2 teneral females, 1 mature male. The mature male was so cold, he couldn't fly.
Red-veined Meadowhawk - finished her emergence in-hand and flew off (possibly others seen)
(Flame Skimmer) - one participant saw an orange/red dragonfly go over the hill. Probably this species.
…….

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

Sacramento River (from around 10-noon) -- mostly sunny, mild (mid-high 60s), little wind.  

But despite nice weather, ode numbers were down at this site from a week ago.  In fact, ode numbers have been declining for the past few weeks, ever since the water levels along the river have really shot up. 

Back in April, when it was seemingly warmer than it is now and when water levels were still low, things were starting to come out. 

But then May turned colder, with frequent rains, and they started letting (no doubt cold) water out of Folsom Dam, so the American River has risen about 2 feet over the past month!

Anyway, diversity was good, if numbers were low (you know numbers are low when Exclamation Damsel is the most common species!):

Pacific Forktail -- about 15

Exclamation Damsel -- about 25

Bluets -- about 20, at least one male Tule and one male Familiar seen for sure; Arroyo possible

Common Green Darner -- 1 male, 1 female

Blue-eyed Darner -- 1 male

Pacific Clubtail -- 1 female, netted examined in hand

Sinuous Snaketail -- 1 female, netted examined in hand

Western Pondhawk -- 1 male, 1 female

12-spotted Skimmer -- about 6

Widow Skimmer -- 1 female

Common Whitetail -- about 4

Black Saddlebags -- my first of the year, one emerging

Then, a 12-spotted Skimmer in my Sacramento backyard when I got home.

May 21, 2010

Shasta County

Ray Bruun

I just uploaded 20 spreadwing pictures taken at Volonte Park, in Anderson (10 miles south of Redding). 
Most are Black Spreadwing with some young Spotted Spreadwing. 
Some adult male Black Spreadwing show a good bit of green sheen on thorax.

Pix - http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/

May 20, 2010
Contra Costa County
Rob Thomas
Martinez Briones RP, Sindicich & Maricich Lagoons, 1100-2130, mid-60s, sunny, gusting westerly wind
Black Spreadwing – few
Arroyo Bluet – many
Familiar Bluet – some
Tule Bluet – few
NoBo Bluet – few
Pacific Forktail – many
Western Forktail – many
Black-fronted Forktail – few
Vivid Dancer – 2 (rarely seen around the lagoons)
California Darner – few
Blue-eyed Darner – few
Common Green Darner – 1
Common Whitetail – few
Flame Skimmer – few
Eight-spotted Skimmer – few
Western Pondhawk – few (the only ovipositing seen)
Variegated Meadowhawk – few
Cardinal Meadowhawk – few
…….

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

Sacramento Bar, upstream along the American River

*California Dancers – Argia agrioides - my first of the year, with lots of

Vivid Dancers Argia vivida - good numbers

Sinuous Snaketails– a few

Western Pondhawks– a few

Common Whitetails– a few

*Twelve-spotted Skimmers Libellula pulchella – a few

Blue Dashers – a few and maybe a few other species

Spring is springing slowly.

May 16, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 7:30-13:00, 72-92F, cloudless, light air to light breeze S.

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 6

Powdered Dancer, A. moesta 1

Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula.7

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 9

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii  >25

Citrine Forktail, I. hastata 1

Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 1

Gray Sanddragon, Progomphus borealis 1

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 2

*Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 17

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata >100 including a pair in wheel and one female ovipositing.

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis >100

Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche >40 including two tandem pairs.

Bleached Skimmer, Libellula composita 16 including one tandem pair.

*Widow Skimmer, L. luctuosa 14 including one wheel.

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata >75 including one female ovipositing.

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 12

*Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata >30 including three females ovipositing.

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata >35 including 5 pairs in tandem.

Red Saddlebags, T. onusta 17 including one tandem pair.

*Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 12 including two tandem pairs.

Spot-winged Glider, P. hymenaea 1

……..

Siskiyou County

Dave Payne

Hudson Road this afternoon - I found my first odes of 2010 today! Weather was rough; overcast, gusty winds, temps in the 60's. 
*River Jewelwing Calopteryx aequabilis - 1 female hanging in the tall grass.
Pacific Clubtail - about 12 adults, mostly hiding in the brush to escape the wind. 
Vivid Dancer - heaps of tenerals, no mature adults noted. These were all hiding in the grass to escape the gusty winds.
A nice collection of waterfowl was also present in the canyon.

May 15, 2010

Mendocino County

Kathy & Dave Biggs, Sonoma State University Entomology Class

Galbreath Preserve, Elkhorn Rd, Cloverdale/Boonville (not open to the public) ponds, & Rancheria Creek @ barn; sunny, mild, 74F

Vivid Dancer – one male 
No/Bo Bluet – a pair & a few males on Rancheria Creek
Pacific Forktail - a few males and females on pond
Western Forktail – MANY, emerging by the dozens at any time, some adult males and many adult females seen on pond
Swift Forktail – ~dozen males & 3 females on pond
California Darner – 2 males (or more) on pond
*Bison Snaketail Ophiogomphus bison – 6 males, including one found emerging, all on Rancheria Creek
teneral dragonfly (still emerging), possibly a Blue Dasher female on pond
Cardinal Meadowhawk – 4 males on pond
 

May 14, 2010

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis 
American River Parkway
Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis personal foy
 
May 12, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle and David Rawlins
Ramona, Barnett Ranch Preserve, small stock pond and seep, 10:30-2:15, clear, mostly calm, 66-75 degrees.
*Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener >30 Emergence in progress, tenerals and immatures in a male-female ratio of about 1:4. 
Familiar Bluet >10
Tule Bluet >15
Pacific Forktail 4
Desert Firetail 2 
Common Green Darner 2
Darner sp. 4 Likely Blue-eyed Darners, each one sighted at a different time, all flying northward.
Red-veined Meadowhawk 9 (5 males, 3 females, 1 teneral) wheel, ovipositing in tandem and solo air drops.
Variegated Meadowhawk >5
Common Whitetail 1M
Flame Skimmer 2
 

May 10, 2010

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Their Sebastopol backyard pond

Pacific Forktail
Vivid Dancer
California Darner
Blue-eyed Darner
Flame Skimmer (our foy) – 1 male
Cardinal Meadowhawks (3 pairs ovipositing!)
 

May 8, 2010

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Their Sebastopol backyard pond

Pacific Forktail
Vivid Dancer
California Darner
Blue-eyed Darner
Common Whitetail (our foy)
Cardinal Meadowhawks (3 pairs ovipositing at the same time at one point!)

 
May 5, 2010

Mono County

Kathy & Dave Biggs, Ron & Barbara Oriti

Chalfant, Hwy 6 - ~7,000 ft., cool & windy

Fish Slough – Pupfish pond/Biological Study Area
Pauite Dancer - many
Familiar Bluet - several 
Black-fronted Forktail - many
Darner sp. 2 
Flame Skimmer - several 
Four-spotted Skimmer - many 
Variegated Meadowhawk - pairs and singles, at water and in the surrounding area 
Fish Slough – “pond 4” – Northeast Springs
Pauite Dancer - many
Vivid Dancer - many
Mosaic Darner sp. 2 
Flame Skimmer – a few 
*Desert Whitetail – one very teneral female, injured, photographed 
Fish Slough – “pond 3” – BLM Springs
Pauite Dancer – many
Familiar Bluet - several 
Black-fronted Forktail – many
Pacific Forktail - many
Vivid Dancer - many
Common Green Darner sp. 2 
Flame Skimmer – a few 
Layton Springs – east side of Crowley Lake
Desert Firetail – one female (freezing weather at this point)
 
May 3, 2010

Inyo County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Death Valley, Titus Canyon, Scotty’s Castle, Darwin Falls, warm and breezy

Vivid Dancer many at each site

Flame Skimmer one at Titus Canyon many at Darwin Falls

…….
San Diego County
Gary and Paula Suttle
Ramona, Barnett Ranch Preserve, small stock pond and freshwater seep, 10:15-12:30,
clear, light breeze, 70-78 degrees.
Familiar Bluet 10
Tule Bluet 16
Western Forktail 1
Pacific Forktail 1
*Desert Firetail 2 
*Red-veined Meadowhawk 1 maturing male photos Seldom reported in San Diego County; found basking on a stem at a tiny shallow pool in a seep drainage, elevation 1400 feet. 
This foothills location contrasts with a sighting last year (on May 10th) at a small pond in the mountains near Julian, elevation about 4000 feet.
Flame Skimmer 1 
Variegated Meadowhawk 3 
 
 
 

April

April 30, 2010

Riverside County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Indian Canyon, Palm Springs 11-3, warm and breezy

CA/Aztec Dancer many

No/Bo Bluet a few

Vivid Dancer many

*Giant Darner Anax walsinghami one male

Flame Skimmer abundant

Red Rock Skimmer a few

April 29, 2010

San Bernardino County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Joshua Tree NP below Barker Dam. Cold, windy weather.

Red Saddlebags 1 male

Variegated Meadowhawk 2

April 28, 2010

San Bernardino County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

49 Palms Oasis, 29 Palms 11-3, cool and breezy

Vivid Dancer some, pairs, ovipositing

C. Green Darner

California &/or Blue-eyed Darners

April 26, 2010

Yolo County?

Putah Creek

Zack Smith

Pacific Clubtail female

April 25, 2010

Santa Clara County

Steve Rottenborn & daughters

…my daughters were very good at finding Pacific Clubtail nymphs and newly emerged tenerals. 

Our highlight was watching a clubtail emerge from its exuvia and make its first flight only 32 minutes after leaving the water.
Ogier Ponds, perennial ponds in old borrow pits along Coyote Creek between Morgan Hill and San Jose:
American Rubyspot  7
Vivid Dancer  50+
Tule Bluet  10
Pacific Forktail  10
Exclamation Damsel  8
Common Green Darner  4
California Darner  2
Blue-eyed Darner  1
Pacific Clubtail  9 (1 mature, 8 tenerals)
Beaverpond Baskettail  4
Flame Skimmer  1 [1^st report northern CA- kb]
*Striped Meadowhawk  1 [ties earliest date seen: 4/25/2000]
Rosendin Pond, seasonal pond south of Anderson Dam in Morgan Hill:
*Black Spreadwing  100s of tenerals
Vivid Dancer  5
Tule Bluet  100+
Pacific Forktail  3
Western Forktail  4
Common Green Darner  6
Variegated Meadowhawk  12

April 24, 2010
Riverside County
Gary Suttle
Dos Palmas Preserve, 8:30-1:00, clear, variable breezes, 65-81 degrees.
Paiute Dancer 7 tandem and wheel (2 in hand)
Blue-ringed Dancer 10
Desert Forktail 6
Citrine Forktail 1 young female, just starting to show her pruinosity 
Rambur's Forktail >25
Common Green Darner 4
*Gray Sanddragon Progomphus borealis 2
Variegated Meadowhawk 1
Roseate Skimmer 1 M 7F
Blue Dasher >100
Western Pondhawk >100
**Comanche Skimmer 1M 2F (photos) [new early date, old date 5/9/2008 – kb]
Bleached Skimmer 1
Flame Skimmer >30
Black Saddlebags 6
Red Saddlebags 4
…….
Shasta County 
Ray Bruun
a wetland along Battle Creek in south Shasta County
Vivid Dancer
Pacific Forktail
Black-fronted Forktail http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4549346060/sizes/l/
Bluet sp.
Common Green Darner
*Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis
 
April 23, 2010

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

American River Parkway at backwater lagoons behind Rio Americano High Sc

The recent bi-polar weather (sunny and warm for a few days, then cold and rainy for a few days) has not been kind to odonate emergence lately (at least for Anisopts -- Zygopts are continuing to emerge in good numbers).  Despite nice, warm sunny weather today, the number and kinds of dragonflies flying … hasn't changed much in the past couple of weeks -- but there was a new emerger seen today,

*Sinuous Snaketail (Ophiogomphus occidentis) - a teneral

Exclamation Damsels - lots still flying, too.

April 20, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Whitewater River at Whitewater Canyon Road, Whitewater Preserve, Elev. 2100’, N 33.98299, W-116.65208; 9:45-10:30, 60F, cloudless, moderate breeze S.

American rubyspot, Hetaerina americana 5

*Sooty dancer, Argia lugens 4

Vivid dancer, A. vivida 4

Blue-eyed darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 1

Red rock skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes 1

April 18, 2010
Mendocino County
Karen Havlena

Lake Cleone sunny, warm, no wind

Pacific Forktail – numerous, no Exclamation Damsels seen

Mosaic type Darner - ~5

Cardinal Meadowhawk – 1 male

…….

Yolo County?

Putah Creek

Zack Smith

Blue-eyed Darner female

April 17, 2010
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti

Pupfish Pond

**Four-spotted Skimmer Libellula quadrimaculata – our foy  [ties earliest report ever on 4-17-2008 –kb]

April 16, 2010
Mendocino County
Karen Havlena

Pond on private property near Potter Valley - The temperature was about 68 degrees, but there were quite a few clouds about

Beaverpond Baskettails - 3  - I think that there were two males and one female.  Fights took place between the males, and the female appeared to do a little ovipositing.

April 15, 2010
Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Pine Flat Rd.
Horse Trough Springs
Vivid Dancer - ~12
Pacific Clubtail - 1 young female
*Grappletail Octogomphus specularis - 2 teneral (foy)
Ferguson Springs
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 1 mature male
no forktails or dancers seen there

April 13, 2010

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Bigsnest Pond, their Sebastopol backyard

Vivid Dancers - a least 3 tenerals in the yard today, still milky in coloration

Calif. Darner – one very teneral in yard also

On pond:

Cardinal Meadowhawk – at least 3 pair ovipositing, showed up at 61, not 63F – must have been ‘anxious’!

Pacific Forktail – a few

April 11, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 7:50-13:50, 60-80F, mare’s tail sky, gentle breeze S.

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta >30 including one in hand.

Powdered Dancer, A. moesta 3

Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula 12 including one in hand.

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida  6 including a tandem pair.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 7

*Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 8

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii  >25

Citrine Forktail, I. hastata 2

Common Green Darner, Anax junius 11

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 1

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 7

*Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata >65 including a pair in wheel.

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis >75

*Bleached Skimmer, Libellula composita 5

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata >85 including a pair in wheel and two females ovipositing.

*Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 1

*Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 15

*Red Saddlebags, T. onusta 5

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 1

April 9, 2010

Sonoma County

Shiloh Park, Santa Rosa

David Hoffman

*Epithica/Tetragoneuria canis Beaverpond Baskettail – 2

…

Dave & Kathy Biggs
Lake Ralphine, Santa Rosa – 11:45 to 1:15 p.m.;  sunny, warm ~72F
Tule Bluet - abundant, all we caught this species, all seen well thru binoculars this species; we've found Arroyo Bluets there before, but not this trip.
Pacific Forktail - only ~12
Exclamation Damsel - a few
*Pacific Clubtail Gomphus kurilis - about a dozen, all teneral or emerging, one nymph found looking for an emergence site
California Darner - 2-3

Beaverpond Baskettail - ~ 3 dozen, most already with ‘mature’ green eyes

…

Alan Wight

Nagasawa Park in Santa Rosa 
Beaverpond Baskettail - two patrolling a grassy slope above the parking lot. Here are some photos: http://www.sonic.net/~shwand/odonata/beaverpond_baskettail.htm
Pacific Forktail
Cardinal Meadowhawk 
Blue-eyed Darner – probably this species

…….

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

American River Parkway, Glenbrook Access - 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.  Sunny, warm, breezy

Pacific Forktail -- 40

Bluets -- about 12 total, most tenerals, 1 definite male Tule Bluet.

Common Green Darner -- 3 patrolling males.

April 8, 2010

Sonoma County

Dave & Kathy Biggs
Sonoma Horticultural Gardens
Pacific Forktail - 1 male (in all 10 years we've been going there, I believe this is only the 2nd time we've seen any damsel other than Zonies.
Exclamation Damsel - 3 dozen or so
California Darner - 2-6, never more than two seen together
...
Bigsnest Pond, Sebastopol
Western Forktail - one mature female
Pacific Forktail - half dozen
California Darner - 1-2
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 2 males, and at least one female, wheels and ovipositing. 

Photo pair in wheel on my website: http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/IMG_6295CardinalsWheel.jpg

2 video clips:

1. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=109225069107813 - solo ovipositing video clip (~5 MB)

2. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=110150255681961 - tandem ovipositing video clip (~4 MB)

…….
Alameda County
Alice Cavette
Fremont
Exclamation Damselfly - Zoniagrion exclamationis – Female

April 7, 2010

Sonoma County

Kathy Biggs and Nancy Bauer
Pine Flat Rd., Healdsburg - mostly to see the wildflowers. Was pleasantly surprised to find some dragonflies though:
Vivid Dancer - Ferguson Spring & the seep above the Ribizzo Pond 
Clubtail - a teneral flew before me below the seep above the Ribizzo Pond, I only got a quick look, and it was a female, with quite a wide & patterned abdomen, 
so most likely a Pacific Clubtail 
Pacific and Western Forktails - Ferguson Springs
The ponds at MM10 are terribly trashed and no odes were seen.

…….

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

American River Parkway, backwater lagoons behind Rio Americano High School, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunny, moderate breeze.

Pacific Forktail -- 150, many still teneral

Bluets -- 80 or so, most Familiar, but most teneral and hard to ID for sure.

Arroyo Bluet -- 1 male netted, probably more seen, but some probably Tules.

Exclamation Damsel -- 4

Common Green Darner -- 4 patrolling males.

Variegated Meadowhawk -- 2 patrolling males.

*Common Whitetail Plathemis lydia -- 1 immature male and 1 immature female away from water.

Lots of damsels emerging (see attached images).

April 1, 2010
Sonoma County 
Dave & Kathy Biggs 

Our Sebastopol backyard

California Darner - 1 flew around the yard and pond
Earlier in week: 
Cardinal Meadowhawk – 1 male on territory on pond
Pacific Forktail – up to 3 males and 2 females on pond 
…
Gloria and Harry Conley
Their Sebastopol backyard
Cardinal Meadowhawk – up to 6 emerging each day last week despite rainy weather. She has brought them inside overnite to ‘save’ them from destruction.
 

March

March 27, 2010
Santa Clara County 

Steve Rottenborn

Ogier Ponds at the south of San Jose

*Pacific Clubtails Gomphus kurilis – 2 tenerals, photos taken

March 22, 2010
Contra Costa County 
Rob Thomas 
Backyard 1300-1330, 68 degrees, sunny, calm
*Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor - 1 male [1st report 2010 – Jan report was end of 2009 flight season data)
 
March 20, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Elfin Forest Preserve, Escondido Creek, 1:30-2:30, sunny with a few high clouds, soft breeze, 78 degrees.
American Rubyspot 4 M 1F
Vivid Dancer >10 plus many more immatures and tenerals
Pacific Forktail 1
*Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes 1M 1F Male basking on rocks, female darting about. 

…….

Sonoma County 
Gloria & Harry Conley
Their Sebastopol Backyard
Pacific Forktail – several
Cardinal Meadowhawk – one emerging, but the day turned cool and she had to overnite hanging onto her exuvia [1st for northern Calif – kb]

March 19, 2010

Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Sonoma Horticultural Gardens, 2m south of Sebastopol http://www.sonomahort.com/directions.htm
**Exclamation Damsel, Zoniagrion exclamationis -- 8-9, 4 males, 4 females (one a 'brown form'), one fly-by – new early date by 2 days

…….

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

the American River Parkway along at the usual spot, the backwater lagoons behind Rio Americano High School

Exclamation Damsel - only one, a teneral individual. 

Also some bluets, all teneral:  about 4 Familiar Bluets and about 3 Tule/Arroyo types (the latter too teneral to net and ID for sure). 

…….

Contra Costa County

Rob Thomas

Mount Diablo SP, Mitchell Canyon, 0900-1500, sunny, gusting N wind

"Darner" – 3 [ probably CA Darner – kb]

…….

Mendocino County

Karen Havlena

Fort Bragg

It finally warmed up and the sky was bright and clear. 

I walked up to the undisturbed pond across from my coastal neighborhood. 

There were only a few damselflies flying, but they represented three species that I could ID:

Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula

Swift Forktail, I. erratica

Western Forktail, I. perparva
I also saw a very, recently emerged ode hanging on a pondweed spike in the middle of the pond.  

It was entirely a very, pale yellow all over, including the wings. 

A Pacific Forktail rested on a pondweed leaf right below it.

March 18, 2009

Sonoma County

Zack Smith 
Putah Creek west of Davis

Pacific forktails - a few

…….

Contra Costa County

Rob Thomas

Briones RP, 0800-1400, 50-73 degrees, sunny, light NE breeze

Variegated Meadowhawk – 1

Hidden Lakes Park, 1430-1530, 75 degrees, sunny, light NE breeze

Vivid Dancer – 1

Pacific Forktail – 100+

Variegated Meadowhawk – 9, 1 tandem

March 17, 2010
Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Our Sebastopol backyard, 1:00
Pacific Forktail – 1 young male-colored female, still orange between the eyes
Lake Ralphine, 2:30-3:30, 74F, very light breeze
Pacific Forktail - we counted 21, mostly males, and about evenly split between at the water and feeding on the banks.
No other species
…….
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Poway Community Park, Rattlesnake Creek, 12:15-12:30, clear, calm, 81 degrees.
*Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis 20+ tandem, ovipositing Counted along a 50' stretch of the little creek.
 
March 16, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Elfin Forest Preserve, Escondido Creek, 11:45-12:15, sunny, moderate wind, 79 degrees.
*American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana 1M
Vivid Dancer several
Escondido, Oak Hill Memorial Park pond, 1:30-2:00, 82 degrees.
Tule Bluet 7 tandem, ovipositing
*Arroyo Bluet Enallagma praevarum 2 tandem, in hand

March 14, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 9:30-14:20, 65-75F, cloudless, gentle to moderate breeze N then SW.

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 8.

*Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula 2

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida 7

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 3 including one pair in wheel

*Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 2

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii 22

Common Green Darner, Anax junius 5

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 3

*Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata >40 including two pairs in wheel and three ovipositing females.

*Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 18

March 10, 2010
Alameda County
Alice Cavette
Fremont
Vivid Dancer Damselfly - Argia vivida – photo of young male

 
March 7, 2010
Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Laguna Wetlands Park, Sebastopol, 60-62F, 12:00 -1:00
Pacific Forktail - 8, all seen well were males. One seen on maiden flight assumed to be this species (it emerged from the Laguna proper, not the ponds, which surprised us)
Variegated Meadowhawk - 8, including 2 females, one of which was in tandem ovipositing over algae mats in the pond nearest the parking area
…….
Contra Costa County
Chris Heaivilin
Heather Farms park in Walnut Creek
Pacific Forktails ~10.  No Anisoptera yet.

March 6, 2010

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

American River near Rio Americano High School

Pacific Forktails -- 80-100

March 5, 2010

Orange County

Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton,

Ron Hemberger

Vivid Dancer – young male, photo at BugGuide: http://bugguide.net/node/view/375029

March 4, 2010

Monterey County

Don Roberson
Laguna Grande Lake in Seaside
On a sunny noon today, between drenching rainstorms yesterday and (if the prediction is right) tomorrow, there were at least 4 Pacific Forktail in my favorite little wet dip adjacent to 
Laguna Grande Lake in Seaside. All were males and two were very young. This beats the earliest reported flight date for them in the county by 6 days.
Pacific Forktail - 4
…….
Sonoma County
David A. Hofmann
Bodega Bay at the area around Hole-in-the-Head 
Pacific Forktails – at least 6 males
…….
Sacramento County
Tim Manolis
His Sacramento back yard

Pacific Forktail – 1 male

March 3, 2010

San Francisco County

Paul Saraceni

downtown SF

*CALIFORNIA DARNER Rhionaeschna californica - I just observed my first ode of the year in -- flying outside my office window investigating plantings on a 7th Floor "roof-deck",

located across the street from the Ferry Building.

…….
Alameda County
Alice Cavette
Lake Elizabeth, Fremont
Pacific Forktail Damselfly - Ischnura cervula - one male and one female

…….
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Poway, backyard pond, 9:10-5:30 off and on, 56-61, partly sunny, cool breezes.
**Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum 1  Observed emergence! [new early date by 5 days – kb]

February

February 21, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds and San Andres Oasis, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 8:30-13:00, 60-70F, 30-70% cirrus, light air to gentle breeze SE.

**Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 2 including one in-hand. [new early flight date, old date 2/24/08]

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida 4 including one tandem pair.

*Rambur’s Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 21

Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1.

Note:  The construction of three new ponds (future marshes) to the east of the old fish ponds appears to be completed and they have been filled with water; about 8-9 acres.

 
February 17, 2010
Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

American River at the lagoons behind Rio Americano High School (the Exclamation Damsel spot) because the weather was so nice.  I didn't really expect to see much odonate activity this early, though, so was pleasantly surprised to find quite a few (mostly teneral) Pacific Forktails flying around.  I figure I saw about 30-40 or so in about an hour.  The only ode seen.  I've seen this species along the river earlier than this only once (10 Feb.), but not in such numbers.

January

 
January 25, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway, 12:00-1:45, mostly sunny with increasing high clouds, 55-65 degrees.
*Vivid Dancer Argia vivida 2 adult males (dam base outlet creek)
Bluet sp. 9 tenerals
Pacific Forktail 2
Variegated Meadowhawk 4
Between this report & the one on the 16th, it rained for 5 days straight, unusual for Southern California, locally dumping 5.65 inches from January 18th-22nd. 
Cold temperatures (mid-30's at night) and high winds accompanied the precipitation. When the sun returned, so did the odes, as well as early flying Sara's Orange-Tip butterflies
 
January 17, 2010

San Diego County

Arnold Gum

Mission Trails Park just along the Oak Canyon stream ~ 2pm

Variegated Meadowhawk - photo taken

January 16, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway, 12:30-2:00, partly sunny, 68 degrees.
Familiar Bluet 2
*Tule Bluet E. carunculatum 1 immature
Bluet sp. several tenerals
Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula 3

Variegated Meadowhawk 3

 
January 14, 2010 
Contra Costa County
Rob Thomas
Briones RP, Sindicich & Maricich Lagoons; 11:00am to 2:00pm, mid-70s, clear, light NE breeze
Variegated Meadowhawk - 1
…….
San Diego County
Gary Suttle

Dos Picos County Park pond

**Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor flying – today is probably the last day  - likely the same one seen on 1-9-10. Storms now expected. [last report 2009??]

January 9, 2010

San Diego County
Gary Suttle

Dos Picos County Park pond

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor flying - fresh and perky (having occasional run-ins with a Variegated Meadowhawk).

Variegated Meadowhawk

January 4, 2010

Yolo County

Art Shapiro

American River Parkway @ Rancho Cordova

Common Green Darner Anax junius -- I believe it was this species and a female

January 3, 2010
Alameda County
Alice Cavette
Lake Elizabeth, Fremont
Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor - Female observed, no photo taken [1^st report 2010 or last report 2009?]

January 2, 2010 
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Dos Picos County Park pond, 11:00-11:50, mostly clear, 64-69 degrees.
Familiar Bluet 3 including wheel
*Common Green Darner Anax junius 1F ovipositing [first report 2010]
Variegated Meadowhawk 2 

…….

Kern County

David Blue

*Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1 [first report 2010]

I had one land on my mountain bike tire today (Saturday, January 2) just outside of Ridgecrest in Northeastern Kern County.

(No, I don't really pedal that slowly! I had just unloaded it from the vehicle before my ride.)

I know that Variegated Meadowhawks can and do fly all year especially in the south and in coastal locations, but this was the high Mojave Desert.

The temperature was almost 60, but the lows for the last week here have been:

Dec 26 - 23 degrees

Dec 27 - 20 degrees

Dec 28 - 23 degrees

Dec 29 - 27 degrees

Dec 30 - 33 degrees

Dec 31 - 28 degrees

Jan 1 - 31  degrees

Jan 2 - 23 degrees

This Variegated Meadowhawk was seen at 1:47 PM at an altitude of 2,477 feet and at the following coordinates:

Latitude:35º 32.9821' N
Longitude:117º 42.8729' W

…….

Yolo County

Art Shapiro

West Sacramento

Sympetrum corruptum -- 2 (one a bright male)

January 1, 2010 
San Diego County

Gary Suttle

Lake Poway, 11:45-1:00, sunny, mild, light breezes, 63-70 degrees.
*Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile 2 [first report 2010]
Bluet sp. several unidentified tenerals
*Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula 1 [first report 2010]

New County records reported/updated in 2010 from prior years:

Blue-ringed Dancer

Inyo County

photo upgrade of prior sighting only record

John Sterling CA Chart #66

Spot-winged Glider

Sutter County

photo upgrade of prior sighting only record

John Sterling CA Chart #66

August 8, 2009
Mendocino County
Kate Marianchild, George Chaniot, Karen Havlena, Matthew Matthiessen
Leonard Lake (northwest of Redwood Valley) and its environs.  On a small pond to the east of the lake we found a group of ~8

Northern Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus – photos taken. Photo record, CA Chart #102, OC # 317580

July 28, 2009

Mariposa County

Tim Manolis

Argia agrioides California Dancer – 1 collected - CA Chart #6

Enallagma civile Familiar Bluet - in hand sight ID, CA Chart #6

July 27, 2009

Madera County

Tim Manolis

Yosemite Lakes Park, Madera County

Enallagma civile Familiar Bluet sight ID, CA Chart #6

Pachydiplax longipennis Blue Dasher - sight ID, CA Chart #6

June 27, 2009

Common Whitetail, Plathemis lydia – male PHOTO Record

Rocky Oaks Park, Los Angeles County

Kimball L. Garrett – listed under #7 CA Chart, OC# 321224

May 3, 2009
Fresno County
Jill Rucker
Near San Joaquin River
The location was just north of this intersection that you can see w/aerial view the river, the spillway, the Madera and Fresno County lines:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fresno&state=CA&address=W+Nees+Ave+%26+N+Palm+Ave&zipcode=93711&country=US&latitude=36.85178&longitude=-119.80524&geocode=INTERSECTION
[Madera County has not had Exclamation Damsels reported, so they should be looked for next year! - kb]

Exclamation Damsel Zoniagrion exclamationis  - pair photographed – photo record, CA Chart #107, OC#: 317462
San Joaquin River below Palm & Nees Avenues in Fresno
Exclamation Damsel Zoniagrion exclamationis  - female photographed

Her ode photos at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009880&id=1016199214&l=1824c0c430

September 27, 2008
Modoc County
Steve Rottenborn
North Fork of the Pit River along Highway 395, 4.2 mi. north of Highway 299, north of Alturas

California Spreadwing Archilestes californicus – photos of pairs. Photo record, CA Chart #102, OC # 317655