What more could a small stream can offer other than happiness?

Two months ago, I started observing a small pool of water and its adjoining small freshwater swamp (Less than 10m*10m) fed by a small third-order stream that flows along a highway outside and close to Kudremukh national park, Karnataka, India. I visit this spot every day in the afternoon while I walk to a nearby hotel. I was fascinated by the number of diverse odonates this small aquatic ecosystem can harbor. During the last two months, I spotted around eight species of odonates in that spot. Three out of the eight species spotted were Western ghats endemic which made it much more interesting.

This pool is surrounded by an areca plantation, coconut plantation, and a busy Mangalore highway. Despite its location in the middle of such a human-dominated landscape, It still supports unique and diverse wildlife.
The pattern of spotting them varies a lot. A species I spot on one day cannot be seen on another day, and then suddenly, it appears after few days. One fascinating species I spotted there is the Rubytailed hawklet, A small beautiful dragonfly endemic to western ghats. For the first two weeks, I spotted them regularly( Even up to four individuals at a time) and then disappeared for a month. Later again, I spotted them two days ago. I was fortunate to click a mating photo of them. Since this species display sexual dimorphism(male and female look differently in colors, size, etc), it was easy to tell them apart. Sadly, Most of the spotted individuals from this species were male and only two times I encountered females. Not sure why this disproportionate sex ratio is observed.

It also upsets me to think about the future of these small habitats which is on the edge of existence. It is high time to document these kinds of small natural treasures which could possibly make way to conserve them.

Posted on October 2, 2021 10:52 AM by ramanarayanan ramanarayanan

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Rubytailed Hawklet (Epithemis mariae)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

August 29, 2021 02:18 PM IST

Place

Mudar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Rubytailed Hawklet (Epithemis mariae)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

August 29, 2021 02:21 PM IST

Place

Mudar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Dark Daggerhead (Macromidia donaldi)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

August 29, 2021 06:27 PM IST

Place

Mudar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Brown-backed Red Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum chrysis)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

September 6, 2021 10:06 AM IST

Place

Mudar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Pied Reedtail (Protosticta gravelyi)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

September 25, 2021 09:25 AM IST

Place

Mudar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Plain Flashwing (Vestalis gracilis)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

September 23, 2021 12:57 PM IST

Place

Mudar (Google, OSM)

Description

Probably forest glory

Photos / Sounds

What

Rubytailed Hawklet (Epithemis mariae)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

September 29, 2021 02:23 PM IST

Place

Mudar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Rubytailed Hawklet (Epithemis mariae)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

September 29, 2021 02:20 PM IST

Place

Mudar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Rubytailed Hawklet (Epithemis mariae)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

October 2, 2021 09:58 AM IST

Photos / Sounds

What

Brown-backed Red Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum chrysis)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

October 2, 2021 09:54 AM IST

Place

Mudar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Orange-tailed Marsh Dart (Ceriagrion cerinorubellum)

Observer

ramanarayanan

Date

October 1, 2021 02:08 PM IST

Comments

Really good documentation!😁✌️

Posted by po-po-pro over 2 years ago

@po-po-pro Thank you :D

Posted by ramanarayanan over 2 years ago

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