Potomac River at Sideling Hill Creek on April 17th

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I spent four hours at the mouth of Sideling Hill Creek.  The Potomac River was low, so it was easy to hunt for cast skins.  However, it was just too early and the river odonates were just getting started.  So, it was a bit slow going.  In a week or two, it should be really hopping.  See: Potomac River on April 17, 2026 | Potomac River downstream f… | Flickr 

ODONATES SEEN:

Spine-crowned Clubtail (Hylogomphus abbreviatus) — 1 teneral — See: Female Spine-Crowned Clubtail | Spine-crowned Clubtail (Hylo… | Flickr 

Ashy Clubtail (Phanogomphus lividus) — 3 teneral adults and 1 cast skin

Springtime Darners (Basiaschna janata) — 4 — on the river

Stream Cruiser (Macromia transvera) — 1 — on the river

Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri) — 1 teneral — See: Male Uhler's Sundragon - 1 | Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia… | Flickr  &  Male Uhler's Sundragon - 2 | Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia… | Flickr 

In addition, two dragonflies were seen on their nuptial flight from the islands in the river but were not identified.

BUTTERFLIES SEEN:

Pipevine Swallowtails -- 3

Tiger Swallowtails (Eastern?) -- 6

Spicebush Swallowtail -- 1

Cabbage Whites -- 10+

Clouded Sulphurs -- 2

Eastern Tailed Blues -- 4

Pearl Crescents -- 3

Anglewings -- 5

Mourning Cloak -- 1

Juvenal's/Horace's Duskywings -- 8

Richard Orr