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, etc.  
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,

105 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).

32 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

 

 


December

 

December 31, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Record rainfall in Southern California (the wettest December since 1965 in San Diego) and occasional sub-freezing temperatures,
e.g.  29 degrees last night in Poway, have shrunk sightings beyond the usual winter's ebb.
Ramona, Dos Picos County Park pond, 11:20-12:00, partly sunny, cold, 48 degrees.
*Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula 1M  Basking on a cattail blade in a sheltered cove [last report 2010]
Bluet, unidentified   2  tenerals   one dead on a shoreline reed, the other devoured on its maiden flight by a Yellow-rumped Warbler.
 
December 28, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Ramona, Dos Picos County Park pond; 1:00-2:00, clear, 63 degrees
Pacific Forktail  1M, 1F
*Variegated Meadowhawk  Sympetrum corruptum 4 -  also seen at three other Northern San Diego County locations on this date [last report 2010]
 
December 26, 2010
Santa Clara County
Steve Rottenborn

Today while participating in the Morgan Hill Christmas Bird Count, I was surprised to see a male Variegated Meadowhawk on Coyote Ridge,

which is east of Highway 101 and just north of Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County.  It was fairly worn but still flew well around a grassy slope in a

small drainage with a narrow seep/channel.  The temperature was 57 F.

 

December 14, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle 
Dos Picos Pond, Ramona, 11:30,  mostly sunny, 75 degrees 
*Common Green Darner Anax junius 1 [last report 2010]
 
December 14, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Poway Community Park, Rattlesnake Creek, 12:40-1:00, mostly sunny, 57 degrees.
*Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis  2 [last report 2010]
Variegated Meadowhawk 2
 
December 13, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway, 1:10-12:45, sunny, mild, 78 degrees
Pacific Forktail   several
*Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile   many [last report 2010]
*Tule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum   few
Common Green Darner Anax junius  2 
Variegated Meadowhawk 3

 

December 12, 2010
Riverside County
Peter Siminski
Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 7:50-11:30, 60-80F, cloudless, calm to light air.
Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 1
*Rambur’s Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  1 [last report 2010]
Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 12 including three tandem pairs.
…….
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Poway, Twin Peaks, 1:00-3:00, clear, light wind, 82 degrees.
Variegated Meadowhawk  3
**Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea  1 [new late date by a month and a half! –kb]
Glider sp.  >6
Near the top of Twin Peaks, a boulder-strewn, sage scrub and chaparral-clad 1306' high island of wildness rising above surrounding neighborhoods, noticed an 
occasional ode sailing up and over the summit, flying on soft, warm breezes from the southwest. Most looked like gliders. Four species of hill-topping butterflies shared the
airspace--hairstreaks, Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, and a Western Tiger Swallowtail  (in season, usually see only Anise and Pale Swallowtails here). On the way down, 
descried glistening wings atop a tall, hoary old yucca stock-- when positioned below it, looked up to see spots before my eyes, Pantala hymenaea.

 

December 11, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Ramona, Dos Picos County Park pond, calm, clear, 77 degrees (last week, during a cold snap, temperatures dropped to the mid-twenties in Ramona).
Familiar Bluet  5  tandems, ovipositing
Pacific Forktail  3  
Common Green Darner  2
*Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor  1 [last report 2010]
Variegated Meadowhawk  8  tandems, ovipositing
 

December 1-11, 2010

Imperial County

Bob Miller 
Algodones Dunes
Walking the dunes every day this month. On Dec 4 I saw about 6 Variegated Meadowhawk but have seen at least one almost every day since Dec 1.  
This morning while standing on a waypoint in the dunes I heard a snap behind me and just as I turned a Say's Phoebe came over me with a dragonfly in it's bill. 
It landed on a snag 15 meters away. It had caught a Variegated Meadowhawk on the wing. 
From the time the Say's Phoebe landed, got the dragon turned around head first and swallowed it whole, wings and all, it took less than 15 seconds. 
 
December 1, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle 
Felicita Creek, Escondido, 11:00, sunny, 67 degrees 
*California Spreadwing Archilestes californica  1 [last report 2010]

 

November

 

November 25, 2010
Sonoma County
Dave & Kathy Biggs

Bigsnest Wildlife Pond, their Sebastopol backyard

Darner, female – she came in and rested on some horsetail


November 16, 2010

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

Taking advantage of some of the last sunny, 70+ degree F weather we are likely to have around here for a while, I checked the backwater lagoons along the American River Parkway behind Rio Americano High School this afternoon.  Had at least 5 species of odonates, not bad for mid-November around here. 

Numbers were very low, but did see:

Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula) -- one male

Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) -- one male, plus about 6-8 others at a distance over water, probably this species.

*Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- 2-3 patrolling males (another darner briefly glimpsed may have been Blue-eyed) [last report 2010]

*Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) -- a bright male apparently on territory along the water's edge. [last report 2010]

Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) -- 3-4 seen away from water (also still seeing these in my backyard, etc.)

The major ode of interest here is the Flame Skimmer, rather late for this far north.  The latest prior date I seem to find in my notes for this area is from the exact same location on 2 November 2007 (4 species seen on that date, the same as above minus the forktail).

…….

Yolo County

Liz Zamzow

West Davis Pond

*Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata  - male [last report 2010]

 

November 14, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 8:45-12:30, 70-80F, 10-30% cirrostratus, moderate breeze with gusts N.

*Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 2 (one in-hand) [last report 2010]

*Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 4 [last report 2010]

*Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 5 including tandem pair. [last report 2010]

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 13

*Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  1 [last report 2010]

*Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii  7  [last report 2010]

Common Green Darner, Anax junius 11

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum >60 including many tandem pairs, some ovipositing.

*Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 4 [last report 2010]

*Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 1 [last report 2010]

*Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa 2 [last report 2010]

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 3

*Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea  7 including one wheel and female ovipositing. [last report 2010]

…….

Santa Barbara County

Steve Courtney

Santa Ynez Valley

California Spreadwing Archilestes californium 40 (photo taken)

Sooty Dancer 1 [possibly this species – kb]

Vivid Dancer 4

California/Aztec Dancer 6

Black-fronted Forktail 1

Variegated Meadowhawk 20

*Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum 4 [last report 2010]

Blue-eyed Darner 5

 

November 12-14, 2010 
Imperial County
Bob Miller
While birding various locations in Imperial Valley I had the following (all at Sinclair Road and EHL in one hour intensive dragonfly search)
On the 14th – 
Variegated Meadowhawk - Pair in tandem on EHL
*Powdered Dancer Argia moesta - 2 females [last report 2010]
Blue-ringed Dancer - one female
Familiar Bluet - pair in tandem + two males
Possible Blue Dasher but only saw it briefly and could not re-find it.
On the 13th 
Blue-eyed Darner - one on the East Highline Canal (EHL)

Variegated Meadowhawk - several

On the 12th
Variegated Meadowhawk - several

Powdered Dancer - one at Unit One (while watching Bean-Goose!)

 
November 5, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway, 1:00-1:50, clear, calm, 78 degrees.
Tule Bluet and Familiar Bluet  > 700   Rough, conservative count made along a .75 mile stretch of shoreline. 
 Tule outnumbered Familiar approximately 10 to 1.
Pacific Forktail
Black-fronted Forktail
Common Green Darner Anax junius 
Blue-eyed Darner
Variegated Meadowhawk
Red-tailed Pennant 
Flame Skimmer
*Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata [last report 2010]
…….
Sacramento County
Tim Manolis
American River here in Sacramento

It was interesting for me to compare Gary's excellent observations to my own, coincidentally made on the same date at approximately the same time (12:15-1:45)

under similar conditions (mostly sunny, calm, mid-70 degrees), at backwater shallow lagoons of the American River here in Sacramento near my home, as follows:

Bluets -- about 20-30 (probably more; they were almost all way out over the water and not close to shore), mostly males flying low over water, but at least two tandem pairs seen.  From a distance they appeared to be mostly Familiar Bluets by pattern (this is the most common species locally at this time of year), but I managed to collect a single female away from the water along a brushy, grassy trail, and she proved to be an

*Arroyo Bluet Enallagma praevarum! [last report 2010]

Pacific Forktail -- one pruinose female seen.

Common Green Darner -- one-two patrolling males along the shoreline.

Variegated Meadowhawk -- about 10 seen, including one ovipositing pair. 

Not the variety seen in San Diego County, but then this is a few hundred miles north of there;-)  Blue-eyed Darner, Tule Bluet, and Black-fronted Forktail may occasionally be seen this far north at this time of year, but Flame Skimmer and Black Saddlebags would be unusual here at this date, and Red-tailed Pennant does not occur this far north.

 

November 4, 2010
Imperial County
Gary Suttle
Across the road from Laguna Dam on S24 in a moist, grassy area near the upper end of the adjacent RV/trailer park, 9:10-10:15, mostly clear, breezy, 77 degrees.
*American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana  3 [last report 2010]
Familiar Bluet  2
Rambur's Forktail  6
**Citrine Forktail Ischnura hastata  >15    tenerals, tandems, wheels [new late date by nearly 2 wks]
Common Green Darner 1
Variegated Meadowhawk  several
Along McKinnley Road, at a pond on the left (north) side of the road, 0.3 mile from the intersection of McKinnley Road and Senator Wash Road, 11:05-12:30, 82-87F
*Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti  2    Observed one hawking over the pond for a whole hour; it landed only once in that time, and briefly, before taking wing again. 
Later saw another one perched on a high branch across the road from the pond (photos showed wing wear on one, but not the other, indicating different individuals).
Pond adjacent to the road leading to the Senator Wash Pumping and Generating Plant, signed 'no trespassing,' near outlet at the northeast edge of the pond, 
12:45-1:20, increasing high clouds and wind, 90-94 degrees.
*Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti  3   They frequently perched on twigs by the water's edge and allowed close approach.   [last report 2010]
…….
Alameda County
Noah Arthur 
It's late, but odes are still out in Oakland and Alameda. 
One of the most common suburban dragonflies right now is *WALKER'S DARNER Aeshna walkeri, breeding in a creek near my house. [last report 2010]
Also a few BLUE-EYED DARNERS and 
COMMON GREEN-DARNERS are still out at Crown Beach in Alameda. 
The most common species everywhere is still VARIEGATED MEADOWHAWK, with a few late 
FLAME SKIMMERS mixed in. 
An unidentified female BLUET was in Brookdale Park, Oakland yesterday (4th). 

 

November 3, 2010
Sonoma County
Dave & Kathy Biggs

Lichau Rd @ Copeland Creek 3-4:30, 77 cooling to 73F
*Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener - 2 males [last report 2010] – new late date for Sonoma Co. by a whole month
no other odes!
Fairfield Osborn Preserve (not open to the public), the little creek above the marsh
*Great Spreadwing Archilestes grandis, 1 ea. male and female [only report 2010]
Also seen,
Variegated Meadowhawk - 1 at the entrance to the preserve

(on October 31, with Tim and Annette Manolis we found Variegated Meadowhawks and a Familiar Bluet at Bodega Bay

and yesterday we had a

*Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa [last report 2010] and a spreadwing – probably a California Spreadwing at our Sebastopol pond)


November 2, 2010
Alameda County
Alice Cavette

Fremont
Variegated Meadowhawk - Sympetrum corruptum - male
http://bugguide.net/node/view/469601
We also saw a CA Spreadwing yesterday.

 

October

 

October 17, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 7:20-12:50, 70-85F, 30% cirrus to 70% cirrostratus, calm to light breeze S.

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 5 (two in-hand)

Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula 17

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida 1

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 17

Desert, Forktail, Ischnura barberi  5

Black-fronted Forktail, I. denticollis  1 in-hand.

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii  19

Common Green Darner, Anax junius >50 including some tandem pairs, two ovipositing.

Blue-eyed Dancer, Rhionaeschna multicolor 13 including one wheel.

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum >100 including many tandem pairs, many ovipositing.

Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 22 including 2 pairs in wheel and an ovipositing female.

*Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 4 including one ovipositing female. [ast report 2010]

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 2

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 5 including an ovipositing female.

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 10

*Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata  1 [last report 2010]

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 7

*Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 1 [last report 2010]

*Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens  2 [last report 2010]

Note: Dos Palmas received almost ½ inch of rain in a storm in late September.

……..
Imperial County
Gary Suttle
Westside Main Canal, @ Highway 98 bridge crossing,  north side of the bridge to the footbridge and a short distance beyond it,  11:15-1:00,  partly to mostly cloudy, 
light breezes, 84-91 degrees.
American Rubyspot  7
Blue-ringed Dancer  2
Familiar Bluet  1
Common Green Darner 2
Blue-eyed Darner  1
**Russet-tipped Clubtail Stylurus plagiatus  6   2M 4F  [new late flight date] 
Clubtail, unidentified  3
Variegated Meadowhawk  >30
Roseate Skimmer  1F
Glider sp.  1

 

October 16, 18, 19, 21, 2010

Siskiyou County

Kathy Biggs

Out Mt. Shasta Forest pond, McCloud

Shadow Darner – on the 16th, a female spent at least half an hour ovipositing, mostly into wood that was just above the waterline, although she tried out a few rocks too!

I was able to get many photos, and in them I can see that she was placing the eggs into cracks in the wood. She was a delicious chocolate brown and yellow.

The male came in on the 18th, 19th & 21st, as did a

Variegated Meadowhawk – an old male

 

October 15-17, 2010

Riverside County

Tim & Annette Manolis

Annette and I attended the Western Field Ornithologists meeting in Palm Desert this weekend, and saw the following odonates (highlight was Striped Saddlebags, see below) on various field trips, etc., during the event (all locations are in Riverside County):

Argia sedula (Blue-ringed Dancer) -- 30 seen along Lincoln Street at the Whitewater River near the north end of the Salton Sea on 17 October.

Argia vivida (Vivid Dancer) -- A few seen at McCallum Pond at the Coachella Valley Preserve on 15 October.

Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) -- 30 seen at the Coachella Wild Bird Center (CWBC) in Indio on 16 October.

*Ischnura barberi (Desert Forktail) -- a few seen at the CWBC on 16 October. [last report 2010]

*Ischnura hastata (Citrine Forktail) -- a female seen along Lincoln Street at the Whitewater River on 17 October. [last report 2010]

Ischnura ramburii (Rambur's Forktail) -- seen at all listed sites, most commonly at the constructed wetlands of the Coachella Wild Bird Center, where present in the hundreds, if not thousands, around the edges of the ponds.  Breeding activity noted.  a number of unfortunate individuals were noted in the many orb webs of a large Neoscona (possibly N. oaxacensis) in the tules bordering the ponds.

Rhionaeschna multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) -- 15-20 at the constructed wetlands of the CWBC, 10 along Lincoln Street near the Whitewater River.

Anax junius (Common Green Darners) -- modest numbers at all sites.

Brachymesia furcata (Red-tailed Pennant) -- 5 seen at the CWBC constructed wetlands on 16 October.

Libellula saturata (Flame Skimmer) -- 1-2 males at McCallum Pond of the CVP on 15 October (possible L. croceipennis there, too, but not IDed for certain). 

Orthemis ferruginea (Roseate Skimmer) -- 6 at the CWBC constructed wetlands on 16 October (possibly seen at the Whitewater River at Lincoln Street as well).

Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) -- 12 at the CWBC constructed wetlands on 16 October.

Pantala flavescens (Wandering Glider) -- 12 seen along Lincoln Street near the Whitewater River, 17 Oct.

Pantala hymenaea (Spot-winged Glider) -- at least one seen for sure, at the CVP near McCallum Pond on 15 October.  [last report 2010]

Perithemis intensa (Mexican Amberwing) -- 3 seen at the CWBC constructed wetlands on 16 October.

Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) -- widespread and common.

Tramea onusta (Red Saddlebags) -- one male at the CVP near McCallum Pond on 15 October.

Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) -- 1-2 at the CWBC constructed wetlands, and 1-2 along Lincoln Street near the Whitewater River.

Tramea calverti (Striped Saddlebags) -- Easily the highlight of the trip, at least one male and probably another were seen foraging along Lincoln Street about a quarter mile south of the intersection with 70th Avenue.  Seen at very close range.  They were feeding for the most part within six feet of the road surface and were fairly approachable, but my poor attempts at net captures met with no success.  At one point, while we were sitting in the parked car, a male landed on the radio antenna! 

This afforded nice views, but was frustrating in that it was impossible to get out of the car to attempt a photo or net capture without scaring the critter off!  I was hard-pressed to see the pale stripes on the thorax, but finally discerned rather indistinct gray ones, similar to those shown at this web site:  http://azdragonfly.net/compare/203

In flight, these thoracic stripes were just about impossible to see.  But close study of the one that landed on the car antenna convinced me of the identification. 

There are some restoration wetlands on the Torres-Martinez Indian Reservation very near this site (which we did not visit) that may well be suitable breeding habitat for this species.  I also thought the constructed wetlands at the Coachella Wild Bird Center looked like excellent habitat for this species as well as other odonates, and strongly encourage you to check this site for dragonflies if you are ever in the neighborhood.  Their web site is: http://www.coachellavalleywildbirdcenter.org/index.shtml

 

October 13, 2010
Sonoma County

Kathy Biggs 
Pine Flat Rd., Healdsburg
Key: MM1 - mile-marker one 
RR- pond at Rebizzo Ranch
DS - seep where Doug Ellis Memorial Bench is planned (just above Rebizzo Ranch). 
LP - 'lunch pond' - pond where I always stop when leading field trips for our lunch break, across from the entry to 1000 Pine Flat Rd. 
MM10 - mile-marker 10 pond and seep (PLEASE, let's NOT refer to this as the shooting gallery!!) 
Spreadwing sp. - one possibly seen at MM10 seep 
Vivid Dancers - small numbers @ DS & MM10
bluet species - small # @ RR 
Darner sp. (Shadow or Walker's type) -a few @  LP & RR 
Variegated Meadowhawk - small numbers @ LP & MM10 seep
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 1 male @ MM10 seep 
*Striped Meadowhawk Sympetrum pallipes - 2 males inc. one tandem ovipositing pair over dry creekbed @ LP [last report 2010]

 

October 12, 2010

Santa Clara County

Steve Rottenborn

Guadalupe River in urban San Jose - saw the following along Almaden Expressway just downstream from Old Almaden Road:
American Rubyspot 
2
Tule Bluet 
150+
Familiar Bluet 
8
Pacific Forktail 
20+
Common Green Darner 
6
*Pacific Spiketail Cordulegaster dorsalis 
1 (ties late date for the state)
– [last report 2010]
Flame Skimmer 
1
Variegated Meadowhawk 
15 (several tandem pairs ovipositing)

…….
Mono County

Ron Oriti

Fish Slough 

Variegated Meadowhawk - a  few

Mosaics Darner sp. - some

Flame Skimmers - many

…

Inyo County

Blackrock Wetlands   

Mosaic Darners -  a few of some kind

Variegated Meadowhawk - a few

*Band-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum semicinctum - a couple [last report 2010]

NO Striped Saddlebags

 

October 11-14, 2010

Santa Clara County

Geoff Hall

green darner

blue-eyed darner - male

black saddlebacks

flame skimmer

in September there were large #s of variegated meadowhawk, but none in October

 

October 11, 2010

Yuba County

George Whistler

I was performing biological monitoring during unexploded ordnance surveys at the Spenceville State Wildlife Area in Yuba County at 369-foot elevation.  

Striped Meadowhawk – a pair mating 

The habitat was blue oak woodland/annual grassland with stock ponds nearby.

 

October 10, 2010
Mono County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Long Valley - hot tubs, including the Crab Cooker.  That is a nice habitat! 

Flame Skimmer one,

Mosaic Darner one of some kind, a couple of

Anispotera   (haven't checked the photos yet), 

damsels  - many.    

Hot Creek Bridge

Flame Skimmer - several

damsels - many

Dechambeau Ponds 

*Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata - a few [last report 2010]

*Black Meadowhawk - a few, male and female   [last report 2010]

*Saffron-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum costiferum - one [last report 2010]

Red Saddlebags - one!  Didn't know who he was when he first flew, but as soon as he sat, we got a good look, and many photos. 

This was the maiden flight of a teneral Red SB!  His wings were still not fully extended, and Ron's photos show this.

 

October 10, 2010
Sonoma County

Kathy Biggs 
Russian River at Healdsburg
American Rubyspot - several, both sexes
Tule Bluet - several, inc. in wheel – new late date for Sonoma Co.
Familiar Bluet - at least one male
Co. Green Darner - a few – new late date for Sonoma Co.
Flame Skimmer - one male 
Variegated Meadowhawk - several, inc. in wheel 
Sebastopol Pond
Flame Skimmer – 1 male – new late date for Sonoma Co.

Variegated Meadowhawk – 1 male

Cardinal Meadowhawk – 1 male

…….
ImperialCounty

Bob Miller

various locations

Blue-ringed Dancer -  (15) in the Niland community shower. Smile Kathy!

Common Green Darner -  (1) Niland

Blue-eyed Darner - (10) scattered locations

Variegated Meadowhawk - (30) scattered locations

Roseate Skimmer - (30) of which only one or two were male

Red Saddlebags - (1) Niland

…….

Mono County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Green Creek

Paddletail Darners - a few

Black Meadowhawks - 2 females

Spreadwing sp – some

 

October 10, 2010

Santa Clara County

Geoff Hall

Top pond, Astradero Preserve - a short visit

Small no's of

blue-eyed darner 

flame-skimmer

 

October 6, 2010

San Diego County
Bill Hull & wife 
“Palm Canyon Palm Oasis and stream" area of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park - 9AM - 1PM
Vivid Dancer (2M, 1F, 1 mating pair) http://www.mangoverde.com/dragonflies/index.html
*California Dancer Argia agrioides (8M, 3F) (determined by black markings on S2 per Paulson's book) http://www.mangoverde.com/dragonflies/index.html [last report 2101]
Familiar Bluet (2M)
Common Green Darner (a few)
Blue-eyed Darner (a few)
*White-belted Ringtail (Erpetogomphus compositus) (7M, 2F, 1 mating pair) [last report 2010] http://www.mangoverde.com/dragonflies/index.html
*Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes  (5M, 2F) http://www.mangoverde.com/dragonflies/index.html [last report 2010]
*Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis (1M) http://www.mangoverde.com/dragonflies/index.html [last report 2010]
Variegated Meadowhawk (a few)

 

October 2, 2010
Shasta County

Ray Brunn 
Chrystal Lake
*Autumn Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum - several (~5) They were very skittish; [only report 2010]
I only got to photograph a couple of females: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/5045698457/sizes/o/

 

October 1, 2010
Yuba County

Ed Whisler
Spenceville State Wildlife Area, east of Beale Air Force Base
The dominant habitat types are Blue Oak Woodland and Annual Grassland with a Freshwater Marsh in a tributary of Dry Creek.
Striped Meadowhawk-2
Variegated Meadowhawk-4
Common Green Darner-6
Blue-eyed Darner-2
…….

Colusa County

Geoff Hall
Bear Creek (duration of visit about 3 hours)

variegated meadowhawk - just a few

flame skimmer (1) 

*pale-faced clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax (~4-6) [last report 2010] - I really enjoyed watching flying low over the rippling parts of the creek

a pair of dark-bodied unidentified dragonflies in wheel position. 

American rubyspot (1)

Boreal/Northern bluet (1)

#blue-eyed darner, 100 or so females some clinging to vegetation along the creek. No male blue-eyed darner observed. Photo taken.

 
September
 

September 27- 30, 2010
Siskiyou County

Dave and Kathy Biggs
McCloud - Our Mt. Shasta Forest home’s pond
Shadow Darner - 1 M – he flew in circles over the pond while it was in the shade for hours and hours. Assumed this species. 

Not in-hand, but seen well – inc. no black line across face. Side and top thoracic stripes looked right.

,,,,,,,
Mono County

Zack Smith

Long Valley hot springs - crab cooker to be exact

Western Pondhawk – young male, photo at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1433266595/pic/1503876022/view?prop=eupdate

*Desert Whitetail Plathemis nodisticta  – male, photo at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1433266595/pic/650740035/view?prop=eupdate

[last report 2010]

 

September 26, 2010

Sonoma County

Linda Petrulias, Linda Ruge, Gloria Conley

Cazadero and Sebastopol

# Variegated Meadowhawks - all 3 reported large swarms ovipositing

Kathy Biggs

Sebastopol backyard pond

*Western Forktail – some [last report 2010]

Shadow Darner – male, in hand ID

Cardinal Meadowhawk – 1 m

Variegated Meadowhawk – several pairs, ovipositing

…….
Inyo County

Ron & Barbara Oriti
Black Rock Wetlands

Striped Saddlebags – 1 or more seen

…….

San Luis Obispo County

Los Osos 35.32252° N 120.83138° W Turri Rd, near the intersection with Los Osos Valley Rd.

Andrew Reding
Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta – 1 female, photo record
 - upgrade of prior sighting only record CA Chart #87 OC#:323206

 

September 25, 2010

Contra Costa County
Kathy & Dave Biggs, MO 
We taught a workshop on Saturday at Heather Gardens in Walnut Creek.
Only a few Odes were out though:
Flame Skimmer - 1 m
Variegated Meadowhawk - a few
Aeshna sp. - a few
Vivid Dancer - 1-2 
Tule Bluet - many
Bluet sp (No/Bo type) – some

,,,,,,,
Trinity County

Ray Brunn
Forest Glen campground and nearby Hell Gate campground

No Great Spreadwings found.
Goods Creek

Walker's Darner (where we caught one on the Blitz).

…….

Colusa County

Geoff Hall

Bear Creek - for observation and photography with my son (duration of visit about 3 hours)

variegated meadowhawk, many with mating in tandem and wheel positions, and much ovipositing.

green darner

blue-eyed darner (~ 4-6 males)

flame skimmer (1)

pale-faced club skimmer Brechmorhoga mendax (~4-6) 

american rubyspot (2)

 

September 24, 2010

Colusa County

Geoff Hall

Bear Creek - Shortish visit to ascertain most convenient spot to view for future visits and settled on area around bridge over creek to Wilbur Hot Springs for easy access.

Many variegated meadowhawk on way in from Hwy 20. Many dragonflies around bridge.

Apart from a few green darner, most were very dark-bodied dragonflies (about same size as blue-eyed darner) which I was not able to identify

 

September 21, 2010

Sonoma County

David Hofmann

Bodega Bay, Bodega Head at Hole-in-the-head
Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata – 1 female, photos taken, CA chart #43  OC#: 323166
Photos on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/23326361@N04/5012534169/

 

September 20, 2010

Santa Barbara County

Steven Courtney

hills northeast of Ojai

*Serpent Ringtail Erpetogomphus lampropeltis  [last report 2010]

 

September 19-23, 2010

Santa Clara County

Geoff Hall

Los Gatos - Oka ponds - a number of short visits

Green darner

blue-eyed darner - male

black saddlebacks

flame skimmer

#variegated meadowhawk - large numbers

 

September 16, 2010
Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

American River Parkway lagoons behind Rio Americano High School

*Common Whitetail Plathemis lydia [last report 2010]

 

September 15, 2010

Inyo County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Black Rock Wetlands

Striped Saddlebags - 2 - This time we found one sitting low on vegetation in the water. 

Ron got a few photos.............better than the identifying photos he got on Sept 1, but we need better shots still…

…….

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Bigsnest Pond, Sebastopol

Cardinal Meadowhawk – at least 1 male

Variegated Meadowhawk – several males

Nothin’ else showing up….

…….

Santa Cruz County

Steve Gerow 
Santa Cruz - in a large dry field just east of Antonelli Pond in, the first I have seen in this area, and I found 
Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta - a female. It was very similar in structure and pattern to a Black Saddlebags (which were rather numerous around the area that day) 
but with a pale orange-brown abdomen with a few black spots toward the tip, and some red in the wings.  A photo is here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/steve.gerow/SantaCruzCountyOdonata#5529956705351816626 [this is an upgrade from a sighting only record CA Chart #110 & OC#323718]

There were good numbers of the locally common dragonfly species in that area that day, including

Blue-eyed Darner

Common Green Darner

Black Saddlebag

and especially Variegated Meadowhawks.

 

September 13, 2010

San Diego County

Gary Suttle

Clevenger Canyon, Santa Ysabel Creek

*Lavender Dancer Argia hinei [last report 2010]

 

September 12, 2010

Inyo County

Linda & David Blue

Blackrock Wildfowl Management Area

… After about an hour we had seen no red saddlebags of any kind and were headed out at 4:20 when I asked Linda, who was driving, 

to stop to check out one last tree on the left. Linda saw the Striped Saddlebags first and we watched it flying for a while and then it landed.

It was a female and I jumped out to get a photo. Despite high winds I got a decent shot, but then it flew away before I could grab the net.

I put a photo on CalOdes in a folder titled "Striped Saddlebags - Inyo County".

Directions:

If coming from the south, from the north edge of Independence (the end of the trees...the airport is on the right) drive approximately 7.8 miles north on SR 395 and  turn right onto the Black Rock Springs Road, which is paved. There is an exit lane for this turn. After making the turn there are two signs on the right describing the Blackrock Waterfowl Management Area. The mileage starts from this turnoff.
0.7 mi - Right turn onto a paved road. This is just a couple hundred yards prior to the entrance to the Blackrock Fish Hatchery. Power lines are on the right side on this road. The pavement shortly turns to dirt.
1.0 mi - Continue across a bridge
1.1 mi - Just past two large transformers on the left, turn right and follow the water which runs on the left side of the road
1.7 mi - Left turn over the water
2.1 mi - Cross a ditch on metal grating and turn left at the Y
2.2 mi - Turn right (do not take the bridge to the left)
2.6 mi - Left turn at the Y
2.8 mi - Note the pink ribbon on the left by the "lake"
3.1 mi - The Striped Saddlebags was photographed on the right side of the road on low growing vegetation near a tree.

The coordinates of this location are: 36.912007 N 118.203674 W

…….
Siskiyou County

Dave and Kathy Biggs
McCloud
Soda Springs, Squaw Creek Valley 12-12:20

Shadow or Paddle-tailed Darner
- 1 M
Common Green Darner
- 1 F or imm. M
Common Whitetail
- 1 M
Cardinal Meadowhawk
- 2 M
Friday's Fish Farm & campground (private) Squaw Creek
Shadow Darner
- a few
Common Green Darner
- many
Flame Skimmer
– 1M
Forktail sp. (Western or Pacific)
McCloud Reservoir
Common Green Darner
- many, all F or imm. M
…
Shasta County

Dave and Kathy Biggs
Iron Canyon Reservoir, Hawkins Landing Campground boat-launch, 2650'
Aeshna Darners
- a few
Common Green Darner
- many
8-spotted Skimmer
- 1 M
Variegated Meadowhawk
- a few
Black Saddlebags
- 1 M
Bluet sp -
some, inc. tenerals
Pit River near the hamlet of Big Bend, 4-4:30
no dragonflies found at this time

…….

Santa Barbara County
Steven Courtney
hills northeast of Ojai

*Gray Sanddragon  Progomphus borealis [last report 2010]

*Lavender Dancer Argia hinei [last report 2010]

 

September 11-12, 2010

Riverside County

Mark Chappell

San Jacinto Wildlife area, east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County.   The date was Sept 11.   Google Earth coordinates are: 33° 53' 37.98" N    117° 06' 55.49" W

Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti – a small population (I saw 3; some other folks saw 2 the following day)

CA chart #109 OC#  323021 – 3rd location/county record in CA

Images here: http://faculty.ucr.edu/~chappell/INW/arthropods/stripedsaddlebags.shtml

 

September 11, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 7:15-11:30, 75-95F, cloudless, calm to light breeze S.

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 6

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida 2

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 5

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii 10

Common Green Darner, Anax junius >60 including many tandem pairs, some ovipositing.

Blue-eyed Dancer, Rhionaeschna multicolor >30

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 2

Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 1

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata >35

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis >25

*Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 2 [last report 2010]

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 2

Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata 11

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata >50 including 2 pairs in tandem.

Red Saddlebags, T. onusta 11

 

September 10, 2010
Alameda County
Alice Cavette

Fremont
Variegated Meadowhawk - Sympetrum corruptum - female http://bugguide.net/node/view/453511
CA Spreadwings, Bluets and Vivid Dancers daily.

 

September 8, 2010
Inyo County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Striped Saddlebags - two more, one positive ID, the other a probable.   Couldn't get photos, very windy.  The one we are sure of was with several Black Saddlebags and Wandering Gliders, flying and riding the wind on the lee side of a big tree.  He hovered right above us, and the narrow-saddle hind wing markings were unmistakable. 

 

September 7, 2010
Shasta County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

We took our kayaks to Big Lake, near McArthur. It turned out to be an exciting journey - but not Ode wise!

The wind came up fierce, just as we arrived at our destination - we had to hurry back, gusts to 30 mph, white caps, etc.

We 'surfed' home on the huge waves. Before the windstorm hit, we did see a few odes (had meant to Ode once there):
Vivid Dancer
Bluet sp.
- many
Western Forktail
Common Green Darner
Blue-eyed Darner
Aeshna sp.
8-spotted Skimmer -
many
Flame Skimmer -
many
*Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa -
1 male [last report 2010]
Common Whitetail -
1 male
Variegated Meadowhawk
– 1

 

September 6, 2010

San Francisco County
Paul Saraceni

#This warm, sunny morning in San Francisco, around 10:15 AM I noticed a small group of VARIEGATED MEADOWHAWKS flying outside of our upper floor windows, along with a quick-passing WANDERING GLIDER.  Five minutes later I looked out again and there were V. Meadowhawks flying everywhere -- mostly at rooftop level, a few lower down and occasionally perching, and many as I scanned the sky with binoculars looking W, N, and E from our house.  They were generally heading due S and up hill towards Mt. Sutro/Twin Peaks (we are about 1/2 way up the N slope of the hill, 3.5 mi. inland from the Ocean).  For the next 20 minutes, at any time it was possible to see 100+ in a scan from W to E.  By 10:40 AM, however, there were just a handful passing by. So in our slice of the City airspace I'm guessing that at least several thousand passed through in that pulse.  During that time, I also observed a BLACK SADDLEBAGS and a couple of BLUE-EYED DARNERS join the action.

I know that others have been reporting big flights of V. Meadowhawks throughout the West Coast, but this is the first sustained movement I have ever observed in SF, even though we do get V. Meadowhawk swarms over our hilltops on warm days with easterly winds. 

Late afternoon today there were 4 Black Saddlebags flying together behind our place.

Finally, on 9/2, I was very surprised to see a PACIFIC FORKTAIL perch briefly on my 7th floor office window in a downtown SF office building -- across the street from the Bay and certainly not near any freshwater; wind-blown from somewhere.

…….
Monterey County

Don Roberson

mouth of the Salinas River

# Variegated Meadowhawks - dozens 
It was finally a sunny day there (after weeks of fog) with a slight westerly breeze, and they were just packed into the weeds edging the rip-rap at the edge of the lagoon. 
I have never seen any ode here before.
Upstream at a wastewater treatment plant adjacent to the Salinas River there were many more Variegateds. 
Just huge numbers locally.  
Still a few Blue-eyed Darners and a couple Tule Bluets there as well.  
But this many meadowhawks is unprecedented in my short experience.

…….

Mono County

Noah Arthur 
Bridgeport Canyon had several PADDLE-TAILED DARNERS flying slowly over a small pond, never leaving it, allowing an easy catch and positive ID. 
During a stop in the town of Bridgeport on the drive back, I found many STRIPED MEADOWHAWKS, including a spectacular bright-red adult male. 

…

Alameda County

Noah Arthur 
Numbers of Wandering Gliders and Blue-eyed Darners seem way down; I haven't seen any in weeks. 
Brookdale Park in Oakland has had many COMMON GREEN-DARNERS and a few WALKER'S DARNERS, the Greens mostly staying out in the large 
playing field at the "bottom" of the park and the Walker's in small sunny areas in the park's redwood groves. 
There area also many VARIEGATED MEADOWHAWKS all over Oakland.
A male Walker's Darner was also present on Sunday in Courtland Creek Park, Oakland, as well as an unidentified, apparently 
smaller darner flying rapidly in the shade near the creek.

 

September 5, 2010
Siskiyou County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Mt. Shasta City at a private residence with a 1/2 acre pond. The owner found a dragonfly perched near the utility box on her home and called me over:
*Canada Darner Aeshna canadensis, very dark and very cold a male (cool windy day) [last report 2010]
I believe that this is only the 2nd Aeshna canadensis found in Siskiyou County. 
This site is only about 3 miles north of our original Siskiyou County record, which was just north of Lake Siskiyou, Mt. Shasta City.
We believe we may have seen this species flying around her pond, which is totally ringed with large boulders. 
It was checking out all the nooks and crannies around the boulders. Also seen at the site on this cold day:
Pacific Forktail 
Common Green Darner
At our own 'dragonfly roost' pond near McCloud has been mostly devoid of dragonflies, although we have had 'fly-bys':
Common Green Darner (female or imm. male) 
Black Saddlebags
Variegated Meadowhawk – 1

Our pond is at ~4500' on the side of Mt. Shasta.

…….

Modoc County

Steve Rottenborn

Householder Reservoir, west of Goose Lake

*Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus - 8 individuals [last report of 2010]
*Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum internum – photo [last report 2010]

*Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella – 1 [last report 2010]

*Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta – 1 each at Goose Lake and House Holder Reservoir, photo  [last report 2010]

*Boreal Bluet Enallagma boreale - one male ID'd in hand [last report 2010]

*Northern Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus [last report 2010]

 

September 4, 2010

Modoc County

Steve Rottenborn

Lower Lily Pond Lake, east of New Pine Creek; flying at 07:00 when the temp was only 42 F!  The sun had not even come up over the surrounding ridges yet…

*Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta – 5 or more [last report 2010]

Shadow Darner - 1,

Paddle-tailed Darner - 2

…….

Alameda County

Joseph S Cox

Sunol Regional Park, along Alameda Creek, with some water in pools in the Little Yosemite area

*Sooty Dancer Argia lugens – female photographed [last report 2101]

 

September 1, 2010

Inyo County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Black Rock Fish Hatchery area, between Independence and Lake Tinemaha. Upper and Lower Twin Lakes Latitude: 36.8804 Longitude: -118.1672

Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti – photos taken of female - 2nd location/county record in CA, furthest north in the western USA. 
CA chart #100 OC# 322774 
Bleached Skimmer – a pair

These lakes, along with several others, plus assorted ponds, canals, and small waterways do not show up on older maps because they are all fairly new,

having to do with the rewatering of the Owens River, which began in December 2006. 

Cattails, tules, and other plants are rapidly taking over............some of the smaller lakes already have little or no open water.   

These lakes are on the east side of Hwy 395, about two thirds of the way from Big Pine to Independence

Take the signed road to the Black Rock Fish Hatchery, toward the Inyo Mountains

A couple hundred yards or so before reaching the hatchery, turn right on a large side road. 

It is paved for a short distance until the bridge crossing the LA aqueduct, then becomes a dirt road.  

There are lots of roads.  Stay on the most heavily traveled of the dirt roads to stay out of trouble.  

Do not get off of them, for the ground is very sandy, and cars can easily become stuck.  

The main roads are fine for passenger cars.   The Twin Lakes are about 3 miles or so from the turn off from the fish hatchery road.

Today I found one sitting high in a tree, on the topmost branch.  Now I could see that the 'saddlebags' mark was very narrow, and just along the abdomen. 

I had Ron take a look, and he confirmed what I saw.  He was able to take a number of photos, and though they are distant, they are good enough to make a positive ID.

Went to the upper lake, and I again saw another possible one, flying high.  So, I have seen 5, and possibly 6 of these Striped Saddlebags.   

I think it is most significant that they were not just individuals that either flew in or were blown in by winds, but that there was a tandem pair!!

…….

Plumas County

Greg Kareofelas

Willow Lake
Aeshna canadensis Canada Darner (a couple)
Aeshna interrupta Variable Darner
(decent numbers)
Aeshna palmata Paddle-tailed Darner 
(decent numbers)
Anax junius Common Green Darner
(I have never seen as many A junius, in the area - there must have been thousands if not hundreds of thousands, it was really impressive!)
*Sympetrum obtrusum White-faced Meadowhawk  (lots) [last report 2010]
Sympetrum occidentale Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk  (some)

Sympetrum danae Black Meadowhawk (one or two)
Lestes disjunctus Northern Spreadwing (quite a few)
Ischnura Forktails (a few)

Enallagma Bluets (a few)

August

 

August 30, 2010
Placer County
Will Richardson 
Lake Forest Beach, near Tahoe City
Black Saddlebags - I honestly can't recall if I've seen the species at Tahoe before, but I thought I'd post since it's a fairly high-elevation (~ 6230') 
for the species according to Manolis'  book.
 
August 26-30, 2010
Chris Rasmussen
San Bernardino County 
Whitewater River, Morongo

American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana - photos

California Dancer, Argia agrioides - photos

*Aztec Dancer, Argia nahuana  [last report 2010]

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida

Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma praevarum – photos

Riverside County

Lake Fulmor

California Spreadwing, Archilestes californica - photos

Spotted Spreadwing, Lestes congener - photos

Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum - photos

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  - photos

Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche – photos

Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata - photos

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis - photos

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata - photos

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta

Salton Sea

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata - photos

Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche – photos

Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata - photos

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea - photos

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis - photos

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata - photos

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta

San Jacinto NWR

Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula,

Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens - photos

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea - photos

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum - photos

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta

 
August 27, 2010
El Dorado County
Will Richardson and Zach Smith 
We had a great excursion to Hell Hole, which is a place I've always wanted to explore but the wind was UP.  
Afterwards, in the late afternoon, I carried on solo to Osgood Swamp.  
Hell Hole is a fantastic spot, nestled in the south of the Tahoe basin at ~ 8500' 
(approximately due east of Grass Lake, which many … are  familiar with).  
It has a great variety of ode habitat, mostly comprising flooded meadows with a network of streams of various depth,  
deep pools and springs, shallow sheet-flow, and standing water.  
Most of the shallow water has emergent vegetation, but there are definitely a few areas of open water.  
A creek flows out of the meadow, and is soon joined by several others downstream, and the forested slopes  
below are dotted with small ponds (some seasonal, some permanent).  
If anyone is interested in visiting this site, be aware that it is a pretty rough road to get close, 
there isn't much of a trail beyond the  parking area, and the cross-country travel to get up there is quite  rugged.  
Seriously.  But, it's a great site with tons of potential, and I will definitely be going back to spend a whole day in this area next July.  
As far as Friday's outing goes, it seemed like we were a bit behind schedule, and many of the odes were saw were looking pretty ragged.  
Meadowhawks and spreadwings were the exception, and there were hordes of Black Meadowhawks on the wing, despite the winds.
Hell Hole species list:
*Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryas [last report of 2010]
Northern Spreadwing (lots!)
**Taiga Bluet Coenagrion resolutum – male and female, new late date
Northern/Boreal Bluet sp.
Western Forktail
Variable Darner
**Mountain Emerald Somatochlora semicircularis (many), new late date
Black Meadowhawk (lots!)
White-faced Meadowhawk (many)
some other red meadowhawks that we just couldn't get good looks at (or  catch) 'cause of the wind; probably Cherry-faced, possibly others.   
There were tons of yellow meadowhawks around, but the wind made things near-impossible.
Osgood Swamp (where it was even windier):
Northern Spreadwing
Bluet spp.
Paddle-tailed Darner (many females ovipositing along the receded shoreline)
Emerald sp.
White-faced Meadowhawk
*Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis [last report 2010]
I may be forgetting a few, but that's about the gist of it.  Pretty under whelming, I suppose, but a fun day out nonetheless.  
Some photos can be found here:  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=198469&id=173935990027 
 
August 24, 2010
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Dos Picos County Park pond, 1:00-3:15, clear and hot, 101-98 degrees.
Spotted Spreadwing  4
Familiar Bluet  a few
Tule Bluet  a few
Western Forktail  2
Pacific Forktail  some
*Desert Firetail Telebasis salva  5 [last report 2010]
Common Green Darner  some
Blue-eyed Darner  a few patrolled the pond, and several dozen hung in the shade of willows and oaks a short distance from the pond, evading the heat.
Upon close approach, some remained still.  Others flew ten or twenty feet away, made u-turns, and returned to a shadowed perch. 
Cardinal Meadowhawk  3
Mexican Amberwing  1
Red-tailed Pennant  4
Blue Dasher   many
Western Pondhawk  a few
Flame Skimmer  some
Red Rock Skimmer  1
Black Saddlebags  some
Red Saddlebags   2
 

August 23 – 24, 2010

Mendocino County

Karen Havlena

along the immediate Mendocino coast, North of Ten Mile R. & Fort Bragg,

# Variegated Meadowhawks
… while doing a shorebird survey on Ten Mile beach (MacKerricher SP), I saw at least 12-15 odes that were about the size and coloring of Variegated Meadowhawk. 

It is very difficult for me to ID what is zooming by over the beach, traveling from the dunes to the breaking waves and back again. 

But, the general colors and size of these today were lighter than the occasional odes I see along the beach while doing my survey. 
One individual hovered a few seconds, and I was quite certain that it was a Variegated.

 

August 23, 2010

San Diego County 
Jamie Simmons
San Diego Wild Animal Park (part of the San Diego Zoo) in San Pasqual Valley 
Heart of Africa:
Red-tailed Pennant - 1 male (photos)
Mexican Amberwing - 10+ (photos)
Blue dasher - 2 males 
West side of main lagoon near park entrance:
Mexican Amberwing - 10+
Black Saddlebags - 1 male
Flame Skimmer - 1 male
Blue Dasher - 1 male (poor photos)
Mexican Amberwings were abundant in both locations in contrast to only a couple seen June 24, 2009. 
               

August 22, 2010

Inyo County

Barbara Oriti

Upper Twin Lake in the Black Rock Fish Hatchery area, between Independence and Lake Tinemaha.

**Striped Saddlebags Tramea calverti – sighted but no photos possible. 
THIS IS ONLY THE 2ND SIGHTING/COUNTY RECORD IN CA. CA chart #100 & new early flight data

At first I saw a single individual fly past, then I walked on and reached a large 'pond'  --- it's not really a pond, but just a smaller area of the lake that is enclosed by cattails, with emergent vegetation.  I stopped to scan the area with my binoculars.  Shortly, a tandem pair of large dragonflies flew past. 

It looked like a "Red Saddlebags" except that it looked like there were stripes, or at least some kind of markings on the side of the thorax. 

They were flying low and fairly fast, mostly 2 to 4 feet above the water, and occasionally hovering briefly, or dipping down closer to the water.  

It was quite windy in the afternoon.  On the lee side of the trees and large bushes, there were many Mosaic Darners, some Common Greens, some Gliders  (both kinds),

and tons of Black Saddlebags   ---  all the strong fliers  ---  all flying together and hovering in the wind.  Now and then some would go in to perch for a while so we got photos of them all. Our list:

Blue Dasher  - many dozens, some ovipositing

Western Pondhawk  - many dozens, some ovipositing

Black Saddlebags  - many dozens, some ovipositing

Red Saddlebags – one seen

Striped Saddlebags - one individual, one tandem pair ovipositing

Variegated Meadowhawks  -2 or 3-dozen       

Band-winged Meadowhawk - 2 or 3 dozen  

*Bleached Skimmer Libellula composita  - dozen or so, ovipositing    [last report 2010]   

Spot-winged Glider - dozen or so

Wandering Glider - dozen or so

Eight-spotted Skimmer - half a dozen       

Blue-eyed Darner – many dozens, mostly this species

Paddle-tailed Darner - some (Hard for us to ID in flight, could tell from photos)

Common Green Darner - 2 or 3 dozen, some ovipositing

Damselflies – dozens of Bluets, Dancers, and Forktails, but we weren't paying much attention to them.

 

August 21, 2010

Inyo County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Big Pine

Desert Spiketail Cordulegaster dorsalis deserticola 
 

August 20, 2010
Siskiyou County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

We returned to the area northeast of Weed, in hopes of finding a route into the Red Rock Lakes and then finding the Sooty Dancers. But I guess the Red Rock Lakes are all on private land as we couldn’t find a way in to them that wasn’t gated and marked KEEP OUT. Then we found a route from there (east of Macdoel) back to the Orr Lake area that went by a lake called Antelope Sink. Well, no Antelope there, just cows, and really low water. There were a few species of dflies, but it's nothing new.
We were able to stop at about 4 spots along Butte Creek (north-east of Orr Lake), but couldn't find any Sooty Dancers, so perhaps the heat had fried our brains the prior trip there....we did add

*Emma's Dancer Argia emma – males and females [last report of 2010]

*Pacific Spiketail Cordulegaster dorsalis to our list. The Old State Hwy that runs alongside Butte Creek has several access points that are gated, but signs say that you may enter; the gates are just to keep the cows out. [last report 2010]

…

Ray Bruun and Rob Santry

Heart Lake above Castle Lake, Mt. Shasta City

*Ringed Emerald Somatochlora albicincta  – at least one [last report 2010]

Variable Darners – and perhaps others darner species

…….

San Diego County

Alejandra Gonzalez

Chula Vista

powdered dancer Argia moesta [??} -  on my lampshade today, at around 10 pm. I live in the south part of San Diego County.

My first time seeing such beautiful creature, even more excited that I can see it up close!

…….
Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

American River Parkway lagoons behind Rio Americano High School

*Olive Clubtail Stylurus olivaceus [last report 2010]

 

August 18, 2010
Siskiyou County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

We went for a drive, circumventing Mt. Shasta, using military Pass Rd, and Deer Creek Rd, collecting plants to replenish our pond, and looking for dragonflies.

We returned via Hwys 97 & I-5, Hwy 89.

Grass Lake @ east side of Hwy 97 (north of Weed)

Northern Spreadwing

Variable Darner – 1+, in hand ID

Red-veined Meadowhawk – many

Band-winged/Western Meadowhawk – a few

Striped Meadowhawk – some

Marsh/stream alongside the road into Orr Lake, just outside of Bray

Northern Spreadwing

Bluet sp. – a few, inc. tandem pairs

*Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata – many, all assumed this species, 1 in hand ID

Eight-spotted Skimmer – a few

Variegated Meadowhawk – 1

*Red-veined Meadowhawk Sympetrum madidum – many

White-faced Meadowhawk – some

Band-winged/Western Meadowhawk – a few

Striped Meadowhawk – some

Meadow alongside road into Orr Lake, approached from just before Bray:

There were CLOUDS of Meadowhawks: some mature, some teneral and everywhere in-between

Northern Spreadwing – a few
Pacific Forktail – a few

Western Forktail – some

Twelve-spotted Skimmer – a few

Variegated Meadowhawk – 1

Red-veined Meadowhawk – some

White-faced Meadowhawk – some

Band-winged/Western Meadowhawk – some

Striped Meadowhawk – some

Cherry-faced Meadowhawk – some, females and possibly a few males collected for scanning:

http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/CherryFacedOrrLake2010males.html

http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/CherryFacedOrrLake2010.html

Orr Lake

Northern Spreadwing – a few, in hand ID
Pacific Forktail – a few
Western Forktail – many, mostly females, inc. one orange young one

Bluet sp. – a few, inc. tandem pairs by the dock

Blue-eyed Darner – some, 1 in hand ID

Common Green Darner – a few

Eight-spotted Skimmer – many

Blue Dasher – a few

*Saffron-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum costiferum  – some, all not yet red

Red-veined Meadowhawk – some

White-faced Meadowhawk – some

Band-winged/Western Meadowhawk – some

Striped Meadowhawk – some

Cherry-faced Meadowhawk – some, females and possibly a few males collected for scanning

Butte Creek, near Shaffer Campground, ~1/2 mile West of Old State Hwy; 5:40 PM, elev. 4460, N 41 41.026 W 121 57.704.

Vivid Dancer – several photographed and netted 
*Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa –  1+, in-hand ID

Saffron-winged Meadowhawk – a few, these also not yet red

Black Meadowhawk – 1 imm. male, in-hand ID

I think that’s 21 species, and I think we’ll go back soon!

 

August 16, 2010

Mariposa County

Ron Oriti

just off the Glacier Pt. Rd. in Yosemite

Shadow Darner – male photographed

 

August 15, 2010

Mono County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Benton Crossing

*Great Basin Snaketail Ophiogomphus morrisoni  - photos taken – [last report 2010]

 

August 14, 2010

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 7:20-11:20, 85-100F, 20% cirrus, calm to light breeze SE.

Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta 5

Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula 4

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 5

Citrine Forktail, I. hastata 1

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii  8

Common Green Darner, Anax junius 19 including a tandem pair.

Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 2

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata >35

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis >55

Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 8

Widow Skimmer, L. luctuosa 1

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata 2

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 7

Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata >40

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata >35 including 3 pairs in tandem.

Red Saddlebags, T. onusta 8

…….

Siskiyou County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Bear Creek @ Pondosa Rd. (This site is JUST outside of the Shasta County line). We were mostly just out exploring

Dancer sp. – 1  (large and lacking color, could have been a Sooty, but it flew low over the sand to the water and then flew away)

Bluet sp. – a few, inc. tandem pairs

Pacific Spiketail – 1

Darner sp., mosaic type – a few

Common Green Darner – 1

Our Mt. Shasta Forest, McCloud home pond

Darner sp., mosaic type – a few fly-bys; nymph found in pond – some crawled out of dried up mud atop liner when water was thrown on the area!

12-spotted Skimmer – no adults, but one emerged each day for the time it took us to refill the almost emptied pond – one was eaten by a chipmunk!

…….

Inyo County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Big Pine

Desert Spiketail Cordulegaster dorsalis deserticola

…….

Sacramento County

Greg Kareofelas

American River

Stylurus olivaceus

 
August 12, 2010
Alpine County
Tim Manolis 
Burnside Lake
*American Emerald Cordulia shurtleffi  [last report 2010]
*Crimson-ringed Whiteface Leucorrhinia glacialis [last report 2010]
*Four-spotted Skimmer Libellula quadrimaculata [last report 2010]
Taiga Bluet Coenagrion resolutum specimen record CA Chart #6 OC#??
 
August 10, 2010
Mendocino County
George Chaniot
Eel River above Fish Creek: 39Ί 33' 14.2"  -123Ί 17'09.6"   
About 8 miles of dusty ranch roads upstream from the Eel River bridge at Outlet Creek (private property)
American Rubyspot 1
CA/Aztec Dancer   20 sp.
Sooty Dancer        80
Gray Sanddragon Progomphus borealis   1 
Flame Skimmer       3
Widow Skimmer      1
Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax 25 
Sooty Dancers were crawling up out of the water on the block nets and metamorphosing while we were there.  
We also netted a larval dragonfly with extremely long legs.  … likely a W. River Cruiser
Only three years ago Pale-faced Clubskimmer was unrecorded in Mendocino County.  
This year I observed them at 5 of 8 locations, and they may even be a characteristic species along this section of the Eel. 
At Fish Creek they were particularly evident and also seen flying along ranch roads 1500 feet above the river.  
I only found Red Rock Skimmer at 2 locations - both in the narrow canyon section upstream from Hearst.
 
August 11, 2010
Imperial County 
Carter and Fites four miles southwest of Brawley
Bob Miller 
*Russet-tipped Clubtail Stylurus plagiatus - male [last report 2010]
 
August 9 & 12, 2010
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough
*Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta  [last report 2010]
 
August 9, 2010
Mendocino County
George Chaniot
Mainstem Eel River between Outlet Creek & Dos Rios; 39Ί 39' 58"  -123Ί 20'5 0.5"  Public access at milepost 11.14 on Hwy162
CA/Aztec Dancer   2
Sooty Dancer       50
Gray Sanddragon  2
Flame Skimmer     4
Pale-faced Clubskimmer  4
Eel River above Dos Rios; 39Ί 42' 30.0"   -123Ί 21'19.6"  Public access at milepost 14.52 on Hwy 162
Ca/Aztec Dancer   21 sp.
Sooty Dancer        80
Gray Sanddragon   1
Flame Skimmer     12
Twelve-spotted Skimmer  1
Widow Skimmer                 2
Common Whitetail             1
Blue Dasher                        1
Pale-faced Clubskimmer    4
 
August 8/9, 2010  
Mono/Inyo County 
Ron & Barbara Oriti 

Olive Clubtails, several of them, for the first time yesterday (8th).   

Wandering Gliders - our first this year!  Got a few photos of them, too.

It was quite windy today (9th).   However, we did see

Pacific Spiketails - lots

Blue-eyed Darners  - some

Common Greens - some

Band-winged Meadowhawks

Variegated Meadowhawks

Wandering Gliders

Spot-winged Gliders - None of the gliders would sit, however.

 

August 7, 2010  
Marin County 
Kathy & Dave Biggs, and participants of Pt. Reyes Field Seminar Dazzling Dragonflies Workshop 

Five Brooks, 1:30-3:30 pm, low 70s (socked in with fog in the morning)

Pacific Forktail – one male

Western Forktail – a few, including one pruinose female ‘in-wheel’ – thought they didn’t mate after turning pruinose!

Bluet sp. – some, many were still tenerals!

Blue-eyed Darner - some, all flying fairly high, but distinctive blue eyes clearly seen

Darner sp. – many, some or most probably Blue-eyeds, but Calif. Darners and Shadow Darners also possible

Common Green Darner – a few

Western Pondhawk – many, both mature and immature males and females seen

Spot-winged Glider – many
Cardinal Meadowhawk – several males seen well
Red-veined Meadowhawk – one male
Black Saddlebags – 1-2
possibly Variegated Meadowhawks seen near parking area
…….
Santa Clara County
Steve Rottenborn
Sobey Pond, the upper of the two ponds at Arastradero Preserve near Palo Alto
The highlight was watching a female Red-veined Meadowhawk ovipositing at close range for nearly 10 minutes.  
For the first 7-8 minutes, she was in tandem with a male.  The two hovered low over and among dry rushes 40-50 feet from the water's edge, 
in an area that was moist but probably not inundated even when the pond is full in late winter/early spring.  
I could clearly see the eggs dropping from the female into the bed of rushes. 
I also saw the female periodically hitting/rubbing the tip of her abdomen against horizontal sedges while in flight; 
what I could not see in the field, but saw in photos, was that she was apparently knocking eggs loose, 
and in two photos it was clear that she had deposited an egg on the rush while doing this.  

Eventually, the pair broke up and the male flew off, but the female continued ovipositing alone for several minutes before flying off. 
*Northern Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus 12 (all males)
Vivid Dancer 4
Tule Bluet  16
Western Forktail  6
Common Green Darner  3
Blue-eyed Darner  4
Pacific Spiketail  1
Western Pondhawk  3
Flame Skimmer  4
Cardinal Meadowhawk  3
Red-veined Meadowhawk  3
Striped Meadowhawk  12 (3 ad. males, 9 tenerals)
Black Saddlebags  1

…….

Plumas County

David and Linda Blue

Willow Lake

*Black Petaltail Tanypteryx hageni [last report 2010]

 

July 30-August 6, 2010 

Mendocino County

Karen A Havlena

Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea – (CA Chart #6 & OC #  ??  - replaces former photo only record) I first saw first on 30 July in my backyard,

just north of Ten Mile River.  July 31st, there were two.  By 6 August, up to 9 or 10 individuals were patrolling the backyard and the adjacent yards.
On 6 August 2010, I found a nearly dead Spot-winged Glider by my neighborhood
mailboxes just north of Ten Mile R. (mm 70.32) along Hwy 1, MEN County.
It was not moving its wings, but did barely move its front legs.  I brought it home, and Jim (who was leaving for Fort Bragg), took it to Ron LeValley at his gallery.

Ron told Jim that he would preserve it and send it to Tim M. as a representative specimen from MEN County.  It was in very good condition.

August 4, 2010 

Mendocino County 
George Chaniot 
Eel River below Thomas Creek; 39Ί 28' 34.5"  -123Ί 08' 48.1"   ~1330 feet elevation
Emma's Dancer  6
Sooty Dancer  200
Gray Sanddragon   4
*Western River Cruiser Macromia magnifica   2  [last report 2010]
Widow Skimmer   1
Twelve-spotted Skimmer  1
Flame Skimmer  4
Red Rock Skimmer 4
Pale-faced Clubskimmer  1
Black Saddlebags  1
 
August 3, 2010  
Mendocino County 
George Chaniot
Eel River below Hearst, 39Ί 30' 3.7"  -123Ί 12' 54.6"     ~1295 feet elevation
spreadwing sp  2
Emma's Dancer   2
Sooty Dancer  20
bluet sp. 5
Common Green Darner  1
*Pacific Clubtail Gomphus kurilis  1 [last report 2010]
Gray Sanddragon   6
Western River Cruiser  1
Western Pondhawk   4
Eight-spotted Skimmer   2
Widow Skimmer  25
Twelve-spotted Skimmer  1
Flame Skimmer  15
Eel River at Garcνa Creek, 39Ί 29' 31.9"   -123Ί 10' 08.5"     ~1306 feet elevation
American Rubyspot  2
Emma's Dancer  10
Sooty Dancer  80
Bluet sp. 1
Pacific Clubtail   2
*Bison Snaketail Ophiogomphus bison  4 [last report 2010]
Pacific Spiketail  1
Eight-spotted Skimmer   4
Widow Skimmer  2
Twelve-spotted Skimmer  2
Flame Skimmer 10
Red Rock Skimmer    2
Pale-faced Clubskimmer    1
 
August 2, 2010  
Mendocino County 
George Chaniot 
Eel River below Cape Horn Dam; 9Ί 23' 12.4"     -123Ί 06' 58.7"    ~1445 feet elevation
California/Aztec Dancer  20
Emma's Dancer  2
Sooty Dancer   12
Western River Cruiser  2
Flame Skimmer   2
Eel River above Whitney Creek; 39Ί 25' 05.6"      -123Ί 07' 45.5"     ~1417 feet elevation
California/Aztec Dancer  200
Emma's Dancer   8
Sooty Dancer  12
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Pacific Clubtail  2
Bison Snaketail   2
Gray Sanddragon   4
Western Pondhawk  5
Common Whitetail  5
Eight-spotted Skimmer  6
Widow Skimmer   2
Flame Skimmer  15
Black Saddlebags   1
 
August 1, 2010
San Diego County
Doug Aguillard
# I noticed large numbers of Gliders flying in a southerly direction here in coastal San Diego County. Up to about 6 per hour.
 
July
 
July 31/ August 1, 2010 
Calaveras & Tuolumne Counties Listed in order seen.
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Key:
GH= Glory Hole Recreation area, New Melones Lake, Calaveras County – July 31
AC= Angles Creek in Angels Camp, Calaveras County – July 31
SR= Stanislaus River where it is the county line between Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties, east of Calaveras Big Trees SP– July 31
BC=Beaver Creek in Tuolumne County, east of Calaveras Big Trees SP – July 31
RT= Red-tail Hawk Way, Arnold, Calaveras County – July 31
NB=Natural Bridges, north of Columbia, off Parrot’s Ferry Rd, Calaveras County – August 1st
CC= Calaveras Creek near San Andreas, Calaveras County – Aug. 2
Black Saddlebags - GH, BC, NB, SR 
Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea - many groups of ~ a dozen individuals – 
specimen obtained for Calaveras County record voucher. Specimen record, CA chart #7, OC #.321406  
This species seen at GH, SR, BC, NB.
Wandering Glider - a few mixed in with groups of Spot-winged Gliders. This species seen at GH, SR.
Vivid Dancer – AC, SR, NB 
Common Whitetail – AC, BC
Pacific Forktail – RT, BC 
Western Forktail - Red-tail Hawk Way, Arnold, at Beaver Creek in Tuolumne County, east of Calaveras Big Trees SP and at Natural Bridges in Calaveras Co. 
Blue Dasher - abundant at Red-tail Hawk Way, Arnold.
Widow Skimmer – RT, BC
Striped Meadowhawk - a few at RT, and a few at BC
Pacific Spiketail – BC, NB 
Walker's Darner - common along BC, Tuolumne County, and one at Natural Bridges in Calaveras Co.
*Grappletail Octogomphus specularis  - common along BC in Tuolumne County [last report 2010]
Bison Snaketail - some at BC in Tuolumne County
Bluet sp.- RT, BC, NB \
Sooty Dancer - a few at Natural Bridges in Calaveras Co. 
American Rubyspot - 1 male at Natural Bridges in Calaveras Co. 
Blue-eyed Darner - 1 male assumed to be this species at Natural Bridges in Calaveras Co. 
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 1 male seen well at Natural Bridges in Calaveras Co.  
Flame Skimmer - 1 male at Natural Bridges who went into wheel for us and then we got to watch the female splash oviposit.  
Several males also seen at south Fork Calaveras Creek near San Andreas on Aug. 2
…….
Siskiyou and Trinity Counties
Chris Beatty and interns, Petaltail study
Gumboot Lake and vicinity (Siskiyou County)
Black Petaltail - started flying quite late (after 1200) at the lake….we have specimens from the creek below Gumboot and many more from the frogpond, 
Picayune & Mumbo Lake and vicinity (Trinity County) 
Black Petaltail Tanypteryx hageni  – adults and larva found at the hillside seep above Picayune Lake.
We also accidentally discovered another hillside seep along the side road near the PCT trailhead, above Mumbo Lake
 
July 31, 2010
Alameda County
Noah Arthur
private ranch near Livermore:
Blue-eyed/California Darner(?) – 1, very small and slender andromorph female with purple-tinted eyes
Common Green-darner - 1
Variegated Meadowhawk - 3
Spot-winged Glider - 20+

…….

Imperial County

Bob Miller

American Rubyspot

Mexican Amberwing

Widow Skimmer

Blue Dasher

Western Pondhawk

Common Green Darner

Variegated Meadowhawk

Blue-ringed Dancer
 
July 30, 2010
Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

American River in Sacramento

*Olive Clubtails Stylurus olivaceus are already flying; I found three exuviae along the riverbank along the parkway behind Rio Americano High School.

 
July 29, 2010
Alameda County
Noah Arthur
Brookdale Park, Oakland
Blue-eyed Darner - 3
Aeshna sp. - 1. (long, slender darner with green markings on thorax and blue on abdomen; I couldn't catch it)
Spot-winged Glider - many dozen in a huge swarm that covered the entire ball-field
Wandering Glider - about 3 (mixed in with the Spot-winged swarm)
 
July 28, 2010
Alameda County
Noah Arthur 
Redwood Park, Oakland 
Blue-eyed Darner - probably hundreds; huge swarms in open areas
Walker's Darner - 1 (bigger than a Blue-eyed with all-black stigmas and whitish thoracic stripes; I couldn't catch it)
Common Green-darner - 3
Spot-winged Glider – 1
Black Saddlebags – 1
 
July 27, 2010
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Benton Crossing
Hoary Skimmer 
 
July 26, 2010
Alameda County
Noah Arthur
Del Valle Rec Area in Livermore and ditches around Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park and Pleasanton Sports Park in Pleasanton.
American Rubyspot - 1 huge, brilliant male at Del Valle
Vivid Dancer - about 5 in Pleasanton
Tule Bluet - a few at each location
Black-fronted Forktail - hundreds in Pleasanton
Pacific Forktail - a few at each location
Western Forktail - numerous in Pleasanton; difficult to pick out of the swarms
Common Green-darner - 1 at Del Valle; a few in Pleasanton
Blue-eyed Darner - many at Del Valle; few in Pleasanton
Western River-cruiser - 1 at Del Valle; lifer for me
Eight-spotted Skimmer - a few at Del Valle
Widow Skimmer - 3 at Del Valle
Flame Skimmer - many at each location
Common Whitetail - a few at each location; more at Del Valle
Red-veined Meadowhawk - 2 in Pleasanton
Variegated Meadowhawk - a few at Del Valle
Blue Dasher - many in Pleasanton
Western Pondhawk - one female in Pleasanton; I can't tell the males from Blue Dashers
Black Saddlebags - a few at Del Valle; 1 in Pleasanton
Spot-winged Glider - 1 at Del Valle

 

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. CA Chart #103

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).
…….
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti 
Owens River at Benton Crossing
Great Basin Snaketail - many

 

July 24, 2010
Lassen County
Tim Manolis
Willow Creek Wildlife Area along Hwy 139 north of Susanville

Cherry-faced Meadowhawk - male was netted at, and lots of other nice odonates and butterflies were flying there, too.

Shotoverin Lake, near Silver Lake just east of the Caribou Wilderness Area, a beautiful little lake with very few visitors, and on this date it was loaded with

*Chalk-fronted Corporal Ladona julia  (the most common odonate!) [last report 2010]

Crimson-ringed Whiteface - nice numbers

In a small marshy swale on the edge of the Silver Lake Campground were plenty of wildflowers, butterflies and odonates such as

*Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus

Mountain Emerald

American Emerald

…….
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

Kern County

Ali Sheehey

Kern River at Delonagha raft takeout

California Spreadwing

……..

Lassen County

Tim Manolis

Susan River in Susanville

*River Jewelwings Calopteryx aequabilis - nice numbers downstream from the Alexander Avenue bridge across the river along the bike and hiking trail down to the Little League fields.  [last report of 2010]

*Great Basin Snaketail Ophiogomphus morrisoni - a few (these may become more common in the next few weeks).

Dakin Unit of HLWA

*California Darner Rhionaeschna californica [last report 2010]

…

Plumas County

Willow Lake

*White-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum obtrusum

 

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!
…….

Plumas County

Tim Manolis
Willow Lake
*Taiga Bluet Coenagrion resolutum
*Hudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica [last report 2010]
*Dot-tailed Whiteface Leucorrhinia intacta [last report 2010]
…….
Mariposa County
Ron Oriti
Summit Meadow, Glacier Point Road, Yosemite
Hudsonian Whiteface
 
July 20, 2010
Alameda County
Noah Arthur
ditches near Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park:
*Black Spreadwing Lestes stultus - 3. [last report of 2010]
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
…….
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough
Hoary Skimmer - many
 

July 18, 2010
Alpine County

Zack Smith

Luther Pass (hwy 89 south of Lake Tahoe).
Hudsonian whiteface - Many of both males and females: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1433266595/pic/317332206/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc

4-spotted skimmer http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1433266595/pic/317332206/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc

12-spotted skimmer http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1433266595/pic/317332206/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc

…….
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.  [last report 2010]

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). [last report 2010]

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.

…….

Modoc County

Steve Rottenborn

North Fork of the Pit River, pullout along Route 395 north of Alturas

*Pale Snaketail Ophiogomphus severus – 9, photo taken [last report 2010]

 

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

……..
Modoc County

Steve Rottenborn
Goose Lake Reservoir, west of Goose Lake
Boreal Bluet Enallagma boreale
 

July 15, 2010

San Francisco County
Noah Arthur 
Ft. Point, San Francisco
*San Francisco Forktail Ischnura gemina - 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. [last report 2010]

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 Stylurus plagiatus [last report 2010]

Powdered Dancer

Blue-ringed Dancer

Rambur's Forktail

American Rubyspot

…….

Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Buttermilk

Hoary Skimmer - some

 

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. . . [last report 2010]
 

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 Erpetogomphus lampropeltis – 1 [last report 2010]

Red Rock Skimmer – 8+

Flame Skimmer – 6+

Common Whitetail – 1

Lavender Dancer Argia hinei – 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.- new early date for Sonoma Co. – only 2nd ever sighting

…….

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  [last report 2010]

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

…….

Butte County

Greg Kareofelas

seep close to Butte Creek

Libellula nodisticta - sight record

 

July 9/10, 2010

Plumas County

Ray Bruun

Old Cow Creek Meadow

*Hudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruunphoto/4781198843/) - 10th [first report of 2010]

*Western Red Damsel Amphiagrion abbreviatum – 9th [last report of 2010]

 

July 9, 2010
Ventura County
Peter Gaede 
Matilija Creek - this location is one mile west of Matilija Dam, along Matilija Road (Forest Route 5N24), off Hwy 33.
Serpent Ringtail Erpetogomphus 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.  
…….
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Black Lake, near Benton
Hoary Skimmer - some

 

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) [ONLY report 2010]
*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 5, 2010
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough

Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta  - some

 

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

…

Plumas County

Willow Lake

*Sedge Sprite Nehalennia irene – [only report 2010]

…….
Lassen County
Steve Rottenborn
Blue Lakes
*Spiny Baskettail Epitheca spinigera – 2-6  [only report 2010]
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's outlet, on sedges, rocks, and logs.  No baskettails were emerging while I 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 they were 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 Enallagma boreale
(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) [last report 2010]
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 Gomphus kurilis:  MNWR-a (1)
[last report 2010]
*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 [last report 2010]
      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/BlackPetaltailMS_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 26, 2010
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough
Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta  - some
…
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Laws Canal
Hoary Skimmer - some
 
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.
…….
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Fish Slough
Hoary Skimmer – some
 
June 20, 2010
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Springs south of Mazourka

Hoary Skimmer - some

 

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.
…….
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Buttermilk
Hoary Skimmer
 
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 Ophiogomphus occidentis  - many, but only half as many as Pacific Clubtails [last report 2010]
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 10th, 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
Paiute 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
Paiute 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
Paiute 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 [1st 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) – new early date for Sonoma County
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 for state and Sonoma Co.

…….
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, 2010

Yolo 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 [1st 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:35Ί 32.9821' N
Longitude:117Ί 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 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 #108, 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

Los Angeles County

Kimball L. Garrett

Rocky Oaks Park

Common Whitetail, Plathemis lydia – male PHOTO Record – listed under #7 CA Chart, OC# 321224

 

May 7, 2009
Modoc County
Steve Rottenborn
Modoc NWR

Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea – photos. Photo record, CA Chart #102, OC #

 

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

 

May 4, 2008

Solano County

Zack Smith

Putah Creek, exactly on the Yolo/Solano line

Western Pondhawk Erythemis collocata - Photo of female, upgrades former sight only record CA Chart #7, OC # 321244

 

June 7, 2007

Colusa County

Greg Kareofelas 

Little Stony Creek at Goat Mt. Rd.

Libellula pulchella  Twelve-spotted Skimmer CA Chart #28, specimen upgrade of prior sighting only record. OC#: 321227

 

August 1, 2006
San Bernardino County
John Hall, David Edwards

Needles California - Jack Smith Park and vicinity Golf course pond Public beach near Golf course headquarters Time: 0800-1040 Temp: 94F
Double-striped Bluet Enallagma basidens 1 (specimen and photo) CA Chart #81, OC# 317779

 

July 15, 2006

Shasta  County

John Sterling

Reflection Lake Shasta County

Chalk-fronted Corporal  Ladona julia - photo upgrade of prior sighting only record, CA Chart #66 OC# 321229

 

August 14, 2004

Trinity County

Karen Pope

Ward Lake

Leucorrhinia intacta Dot-tailed Whiteface – specimen collected CA Chart #90, OC#: 317780

 

March 23, 2003

Colusa County

Greg Kareofelas

Little Stony Creek at Goat Mt. Rd.

Cordulegaster dorsalis Pacific Spiketail – 1 male collected, CA Chart #28, OC#: 317970