July 2 - Four-spotted Skimmer Update
While our observations of Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) have slowed in recent days, we are still getting reports. The observation count is now at 240, by 55 different people. These observations cover 31 counties, 23 of which are new county records. The recent observations are all on the north coast - Lorain, Cuyahoga, and Lake Counties. We did have a north wind, perhaps that brought a few more across the water. People in other areas have not reported Four-spots in the last week .
We have to go back to 1950's to have years where a species had more than 20 new county records - the peak was Double-striped Bluet with 25 in 1959. Two other species had 24, Eastern Amberwing (1958) and Familiar Bluet (1959).
The recent Ohio Odonata Society newsletter provided coverage of the species and the event. If you don't receive the newsletter and are interested, message me with your email address and I will forward the July issue (PDF).
The Four-spotted Skimmer story may not yet be concluded. Continue to monitor.
One more thing - we are seeing an uptick in Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) observations. The Reds are infrequent visitors from the South and West. Many of us have seen Carolina Saddlebags (Tramea carolina) - the Red is similar. As always, try to get good photos of face, hind wings, and end of the abdomen.
Comments
Jim, Thanks for the update. I haven't even seen a Carolina Saddlebag (Tramea carolina) yet!
We seem to be getting a big push out of the south/ southwest right now. In addition to the Red Saddlebags, I have seen big numbers of Spot-winged Gliders and Cloudless Sulphurs over the last week. And I had a White-lined Sphinx (migrant) at my lights this morning. Don’t usually see those until late summer/ fall.
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