Southwest Dragonfly Blitz 2015 is a 4 day event (August 27-August 30) in City of Rocks State Park Group Campsite, New Mexico. This location is in close driving distance to many great odonate sites. Daily field trips are planned, guests are welcome to stay for some or all of the event.
Advance reservation is required. Must bring your own food, drinks, camping supplies, etc.
Location: Southwest New Mexico, City of Rocks State Park Group Campsite
Dragonfly enthusiast and photographer Roger Racut guides this once-a-month odonate excursion. This interpreted walking tour takes visitors to Ayer Lake and garden water features -- a chance to learn about these beautiful, fascinating insects.
Note: Pierre Deviche will be traveling and unable to attend this event.
Dragonfly enthusiast and photographer Roger Racut guides this once-a-month odonate excursion. This interpreted walking tour takes visitors to Ayer Lake and garden water features -- a chance to learn about these beautiful, fascinating insects.
Note: Pierre Deviche will be traveling and unable to attend this event.
Until now the Red-tailed Pennant in Arizona had not been observed before 13 April, when recorded (2009) at the Gilbert Water Ranch. On 5 April 2015 four males - two of which shown below - were found at this location, providing a new early flying date for the species in the state.
The Gray Sanddragon had until now not been found until 7 April in Arizona. A male of this species (photos below) was observed on 28 March 2015 along the Hassayampa River near Wickenburg, providing a new early flight date for the state.
The White-tailed Sylph in the US is a rare species with only three previous records: two from Arizona (2007 and 2012 and one from Texas (2014). All these records are from September and October. On 4 April 2015 a male (photos below) was found at the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, downstream of Patagonia L., Santa Cruz, AZ. This observation provides a fourth national record as well as a new early flight date for the species nationwide.
A male Giant Darner was flying on 15 March 2015 at the Jewel of the Creek Preserve, Maricopa Co. - see photos below. Along with a record of the species on the same date in 2013, this is the earliest that this darner has been found in the state.
On 27 February 2014 three male Double-striped Bluets (one of which seen below) were observed at the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area in Phoenix, AZ. This record provides a new early flight date for this species in the state.
Until now the Mexican Amberwing in Arizona had not been recorded until 23 March. On 7 March 2015 Justin Jones and I found one male (photo below) at the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area (Phoenix, Maricopa Co), thereby extending the flight season of the species in the state by two full weeks.
The Desert Forktail in Arizona had until now not been recorded before 27 January (2010; Maricopa Co.). A female of this species was observed on 25 January 2015 at the Gilbert Water Ranch (Maricopa Co.; photos below), which extends its flying season in the state by a couple of days.
