The Patsy Pond Nature Trail in Newport, NC turned out to be good for the Attenuated Bluet (Enallagma daeckii) and Amanda's Pennant (Celithemis amanda), both of which were new to me. There were also Cherry Bluets (Enallagma concisum), Eastern Pondhawks (Erythemis simplicicallis), and Citrine Forktails (Ischnura hastata) around the shallow pond about 1/2 mile from the entrance to the nature trail. The day was sunny but still fairly cool (mid 70's F) and breezy.

When I got back to Bladen County, the swamp creeks had really dried up a great deal, with just a few shallow pools of water here and there. While we still have a lot of Great Blue Skimmers (Libellula vibrans) in the fields, along with a few Ischnura hastata (they are ubiquitous) and Ischnura posita, I didn't see any Orange Bluets (Enallagma signatum) in what was left of the runs or the vegetation along the runs. The weather has still been a little cool, but it was sunny and warm (82 F) when I went out yesterday. I saw very few damselflies in general. I don't know if the cooler weather we've been having and lack of rain has affected them or not.

But we are trying to create a more natural area in the shallow part of our pond and have planted Spider Lilies, Pickerelweed, and Lizard's Tail in that area so if they do well we might attract a few damselflies and dragonflies to that area. Since the shallow end of the pond always has water, perhaps it will create a good environment for them.

Posted on June 7, 2023 03:11 PM by amypadgett