Pronghorn Clubtail at 5th Conc Rd, Burford, Brant

[Bill Lamond]

Hello,

I was birding on 5^th Conc Rd, Burford Twp, Brant today (26 May 2024), when I noticed there were clubtails along the road. After birding I got out the insect net as most clubtails need in-hand study for ID, as do the basketttails that were flying over the road. The baskettails that I caught or saw perched were all Common Baskettails. I eventually caught four clubtails with much effort. I caught two Lancet Clubtails, one Ashy Clubtail and one Pronghorn Clubtail. I likely saw a few more Lancet Clubtails based on size and a similar number of Ashy Clubtails based on their much larger size than Lancet Clubtails. The Pronghorn Clubtail female was the highlight and it was very teneral with saran wrap-looking wings and a very soft body. For me, this species is rare in Ontario. In several years of odeing I have only observed it at 5-6 locations, with only one individual observed at any location. Based on where I found it, I assumed it emerged from a medium-sized pond at the Burford Tree Farm at Wight Rd, Just S of 5^th Concession Rd. 

In the attached photos, the first five are the female Pronghorn and the latter three are a female Ashy.

Not many other ode species were observed over about 3 hours:

Common Basketttail - 20

Marsh Bluet - 25

Skimming Bluet - 20

Eastern Forktail - 10

Ebony Jewelwing - 2

Lancet Clubtail - 4

Ashy Clubtail - 4

Pronghorn Clubtail - 1

Common Whitetail - 15

Common Green Darner - 2

Eastern Pondhawk - 3

Bill

[Stephanie Allen]

Hi Bill -

Pronghorn is a nice find. I observed one ovipositing on the Nith River, last year or year before. This year I found a single exuvium of a Pronghorn at the same location during my surveying for Rapids.

Stephanie