Dragonfly Count, 

Sydenham Nature Reserve:

This was my second year participating in the Dragonfly Count at the Sydenham Nature Reserve. A new dragonfly for me was the Spot-winged Glider. Butterfly and Odonate counts aim to produce a list of species and numbers observed. Over the years, trends in populations can be evaluated to help determine the health of local ecosystems.

Spot-winged Glider! Love those huge red eyes!

Side view of the Spot-winged Glider: Dragonflies are occasionally caught to enable a closer look when trying to determine the specific species. 

Once individuals are released, they sometimes take a moment to orient themselves before departing. The Spot-winged Glider is resting on Mike's nose.

Slender Spreadwing

Blue-fronted Dancer

Midland Clubtail:  Notice the club-like end at the tip of the abdomen. They are powerful flyers and avid hunters that can grab other dragonflies out of the air. For their eggs, Midland Clubtails prefer moving water. The Sydenham River meets their needs with sunny, well-oxygenated water, some vegetation and a moderate-to-fast current, with a fine sand, mud or clay bottom.

https://uwm.edu/field-station/midland-clubtail-dragonfly/

Ebony Jewelwing

Last year we were able to cross the river at a low, rocky spot. Unfortunately, high water levels prevented that this year so our overall numbers were down.