Some late dragonflies in Brantford

[Bill Lamond]

Hi,

A mild fall we are having and very dry, except for the last two days.

I've had a few late dragonflies recently, although for some of them, I'm not sure how unusual they are, date-wise.

On 26 September I saw two male Arrow Clubtails along Tutela Heights Rd near the Grand River in Brantford. I've included one photo of a male here. On 14^th of October I encountered one female at the same location. Eric Lamond took a photo of it while it was eating what looked like a stinkbug. This species I have seen well into October before in the County. I think it can fly until a heavy frost kills it.

On 8^th October along the CNR Rail Trail in Brantford I observed a Carolina Saddlebags. In the brief time it landed, I was able to see the anal loop well to see that the red saddle filled it in entirely to confirm Carolina as opposed to Red Saddlebags. I have never seen Carolina Saddlebags in Brant County anywhere near this late. However, I have seen it well into October at Point Pelee in the past.

On the 15^th of October I saw a Black Saddlebags at Carolina Park, Brantford. This species can be abundant at Point Pelee at that date but I cannot remember seeing one in October in Brant.

On the 16^th of October I saw two Wandering Gliders at the King-Benton gavel pit in Brantford. Today (21 October) I saw another at the same location. I don't have a handle on what constitutes a late date for this species.

Lots of meadowhawks still on the wing and I'm sure Aeshna darners, especially Shadow Darners, will be flying for a while yet.

Bill