Patuxent Research Refuge on May 8, 2024

[odona...@comcast.net]

I took advantage of the 80-degree weather last Wednesday and visited the Central Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge.  I only had three and half hours available, so I focused on the Patuxent River and adjacent wetlands near Duvall Bridge and downstream where it passes north of Hobbs Pond.  The wind was a bit of a factor so adult flights were limited.  The common summer pond dragonflies have started to emerge and their young adults were scattered throughout open areas in the forest near the river.

Odonates Seen:

Blue-tipped Dancers – 3

Fragile Forktails – 15+

Eastern Forktails – 2

Lancet Clubtail – 1 – first of the season for me from the Refuge

Ashy Clubtails – 5

Swamp Darners – 6 – See: The Largest Dragonfly in Maryland | Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna… | Flickr 

Harlequin Darners – 1 alive and 1 being eaten by a spider – their flight season is slowing down – See: Spider Feeding on Dragonfly | Furrow Orbweaver (Larinioides … | Flickr 

Stream Cruisers – 2 – both over the river

Common Baskettails – 5 – all males on territory

Eastern Pondhawks – 4 – all young adults

Blue Corporals – 15+ – all mature with males on territory

Spangled Skimmers – 2 – young adults – See: Freshly Emerged Spangled Skimmer | Female Spangled Skimmer (… | Flickr 

Common Whitetails – 6

Blue Dashers – 3 – young adults

Butterflies Seen:

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails – 6

Zebra Swallowtails – 3

Pearl Crescent – 1

Red Admiral – 1

Juvenal's/Horace's Duskywing – 1

Other photos taken:

Prothonotary warbler –  Prothonotary Warbler | Male Prothonotary Warbler Patuxent Re… | Flickr  &  Watched From Above | Male Prothonotary Warbler Patuxent Rese… | Flickr 

Spotted Turtle –  Young Spotted Turtle - 1 | This young Spotted Turtle was cro… | Flickr  &  Young Spotted Turtle - 2 | This young Spotted Turtle was cro… | Flickr 

Plastic bottle Jam in Patuxent River –  Not a Pretty Sight !! | Plastic Bottle Jam Patuxent River, P… | Flickr 

Richard Orr