Patuxent Research Refuge May 25, 2025

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Last Sunday (May 25th) I visited the North Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge for four hours — See:  Second Riffle on Little Patuxent River Downstream from Bai… | Flickr .  My main targets were the Blackwater Clubtail (Gomphurus dilatatus) and the Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella).  Unfortunately, neither were found.  The Blackwater Clubtail was a bit of a long shot since the only record I have of them is three cast skins found in 2023.  However, striking out on the Elfin Skimmer was unexpected.  I did see two young males on May 11^th of this year, but those are, so far, the only ones I have seen this year at the Refuge.  This population took a nasty turn for the worse about 4 years back when 90% or so of the population crashed due to a series of unfortunate dry and then wet, cold, springtime spells.  It has been struggling ever since, but this year is looking very bleak so far.  In years previous to their decline, it was not uncommon for me to get counts of 300+ individuals on a walk through.  The population at Sundew Bog is (was) the largest population known of this species in Maryland.  I will be repeating my searches for both the Blackwater Clubtails and the Elfin Skimmers but the initial searches this year do not look promising.  

ODONATES SEEN:

Ebony Jewelwings — 8 — males on territory

American Rubyspots — 2 — one mature male and one young adult — See: Two Riverine Damselflies | Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) an… | Flickr

Slender Spreadwings — 2 -- tenerals

Powdered Dancer — 1 — mature male on river — new early record for the Refuge — See: Two Riverine Damselflies | Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) an… | Flickr 

Blue-tipped Dancers — 7 — mature males to young adults

Stream Bluets — 2 — mature males

Fragile Forktails -- 3

Lancet Clubtails -- 3

Ashy Clubtail — 1 cast skin on the Little Patuxent River

Common Sanddragons — 2 cast skins on the river

Common Blue Darner -- 1

Swamp Darners — 8 — See: A Hanging Dragon | Swamp Darner Sundew Bog, Patuxent Researc… | Flickr 

Calico Pennants -- 2

Eastern Pondhawks -- 3

Blue Corporals — 4 — all old males

Spangled Skimmer — 1 — young adult

Widow Skimmer — 1 — young adult — See: Widow Skimmer Pearched | Young adult Widow Skimmer (Libellul… | Flickr 

Painted Skimmers — 5 — all mature males on territory 

BUTTERFLIES SEEN:

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails -- 4

Zebra Swallowtail -- 1

Cabbage Whites -- 4

Red-banded Hairstreak — 1 — really worn

Summer Azures -- 2

Question Mark -- 1

Common Buckeye -- 1

Viceroy — 1 — first of the year for me

Monarch -- 1

Appalachian Brown — 1 — also a first of the year for me

Zabulon Skippers -- 3

OTHER PHOTOS:

Striped Fishing Spider -- A Large Fishing Spider | A full grown female Striped Fishing… | Flickr 

Goat's-Rue -- Goat's-Rue in Bloom | Goat's-Rue (Tephrosia virginiana) Lemo… | Flickr 

Yellow-breasted Chat -- Yellow-Breasted Chat -- the Odd Warbler | The Yellow-Breaste… | Flickr 

Richard Orr