Dragonfly and damselfly species have preferred habitats, and when keeping records I make a note of the location and date a given species was encountered and a guesstimate of its numbers. But text descriptions can be imprecise, whereas a picture is worth the proverbial thousand words. Most of these photos were taken in mid-July.
North shore of Stoco Lake, from the east side of the boat ramp to the pavilion. Mud bottom, relatively shallow stagnant water. Emergent plants such as rushes, water lilies, blue flag, wapato and pickerelweed.
Some typical dragonfly species are the Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa), Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella), Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis), Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) and Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina). Damseflies often encountered are the Swamp Spreadwing (Lestes vigilax), Elegant Spreadwing (Lestes inaequalis), Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum), Skimming Bluet (Enallagma geminatum) and Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis).
Between the pavillion and the boat ramp is a stretch of beach with floating plants such as pondweed and water lilies growing from the sand bottom of Stoco Lake. This is an excellent place to look for Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum) and Vesper Bluet (Enallagma vesperum) late in the afternoon or early evening. Dot-Tailed Whitefaces (Leucorrhinia intacta) may be seen perching on the sandy shoreline during daylight hours.
East of the Boat Ramp (similar to habitat near the pavillion)
Moira River, south of the dam. Rock bottom, shallow, fast moving water with a few debris bottom pools of tranquil water. Shoreline vegetation is tall grasses grading to shrubs and trees.
Black-shouldered Spinylegs (Dromogomphus spinosus) and Lancet Clubtails (Gomphus exilis) are often found perching on the rocks along the shoreline; Fawn Darners (Boyeria vinosa) cruise along the banks. Local Sympetrum, notably the Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum), breed in the quiet pools along the east bank. A few of the damselflies favouring this habitat the Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata), Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener), Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis), Violet Dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea), Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) and the Rainbow Bluet (Enallagma antennatum).
Moira River, looking south of the Dam
Pools of still water along the east bank
Standing on the east bank of the river, looking west
West bank seen from opposite side of the retaining wall (looking east)
South of the black bridge on the Eastern Ontario Trail ... this is also typical of the habitat following the river further south to the Point.
Eastern Ontario Trail, about ½ km west of town. Meadow with tall grasses and wildflowers grading to shrubs and trees, near standing water in marshes and ditches. The marsh supports irises, marsh marigolds, willows, cattails and other tall rushes.
The Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps), Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera) and American Emerald (Cordulia shurtleffi) are common species seen patrolling the skies. Sympetrum species abound in the drier meadow-like areas. The skimmers found at the lake are less commonly encountered here; on the other hand, to date this is the only habitat where I've seen Frosted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida). Most of the Enallagma species and the Taiga Bluet (Coenagrion resolutum) breed in this habiat. Sedge Sprites (Nehalennia irene) are ubiquitous in all of the habiats mentioned thus far but are particularly abundant in the vegetation along the sides of the trail. Spreadwings breeding in this locale are the Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus disjunctus), Sweetflag Spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus) and Emerald Spreadwing (Lestes dryas).
View of the marsh looking toward the north side of the trail
Standing at the culvert, looking south
Eastern Ontario Trail, to about 1 km east of town. Small sand bottomed creek and pools of standing or slowly moving water in shady forested areas. Sunlit open spaces are created by the trail.
Some dragonfly species encountered in this habitat are the Mustached Clubtail (Gomphus adelphus), Stream Cruiser (Didymops transversa), Springtime Darner (Basiaeschna janata), Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia), and the Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera). All three species of Baskettails are represented: the Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura), the Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis) and the Spiny Baskettail (Epitheca spinigera). Typical damselflies seen here are the Taiga Bluet (Coenagrion resolutum), Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) and the ubiquitous Enallagma sp.
Sand bottomed creek
Slow moving water
Pool of standing water
Marsh about 2 km east of Sulphide, Ontario. Some open expanses of shallow water, shoreline vegetation consists of shrubs such as willow and speckled alder. Typical emergent plants are cattails and rushes, aquatics include pondweed and yellow water lily. The odonate species are the same as at the Eastern Ontario Trail marsh ½ km west of town.
Tweed, Ontario: near the intersection of Alexander Street and the Eastern Ontario Trail. Small sand-and-rock bottomed creek with both sunlit and shaded zones. Nearby is a field disturbed by construction, with tall grasses, weeds and wildflowers grading to shrubs and trees.
Some of the dragonfly species favouring this site (and seldom found elsewhere) are the Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua), the Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa) and the Swift River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis). The Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera), Lilypad Clubtail (Arigomphus furcifer) and the Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis) are frequently seen at this location. Damselflies encountered here are the ubiquitous Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) and Sedge Sprite (Nehalennia irene), and of course the typical riparian species such as the Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata), the River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis) and the Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) are repesented as well.
Marsh south of Bridgewater Road, about 1 km east of Actinolite. Some open expanses of shallow water. Shoreline vegetation consists of tall grasses and wildflowers, shrubs such as willow and speckled alder grading into mixed deciduous and evergreen forest. Typical emergent plants are cattails and rushes.
As of this date this is the only known local habitat where the Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella) may not only be encountered but is abundant and thriving. Family Libellulidae is well represented at this site: Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta), Frosted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida), Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella), Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) and Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia). Damselflies encountered at this location are the Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) and Sedge Sprite (Nehalennia irene). Bluets of genus Enallagma were observed but not identified as to species.
Marsh on Upper Flinton Road, about 150 m east of Moores Road. A typical local marsh with some open expanses of shallow water. Emergent plants such as cattails and rushes grade into shoreline vegetation consisting of tall grasses and wildflowers, mixed with shrubs such as willow and speckled alder. The marsh is bordered by mixed deciduous and evergreen forest.
Although surveyed rather briefly, this habitat obviously supports the Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa); several males and females were spotted within an hour. Other dragonfly species observed were the Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta), Frosted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida), Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) and the Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia). Damselflies seen at this habitat are the Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) and Sedge Sprite (Nehalennia irene).
Skootamatta River at Storrings Bridge. The river in this area is rock-bottomed with relatively shallow fast flowing water and rapids. The rocky shoreline is barren in many places, but does support grasses, wildflowers and shrubbery which quickly grade into mixed hardwood and deciduous forest.
A male Swift River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis) was observed at this site. Other dragonflies commonly encountered here are the Frosted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida), Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata), Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia) and the Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera). The damselflies represented are, as expected, the species which favour the river shoreline elsewhere: the Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata), River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis) and the Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta).
Storrings Bridge, looking north
The Skootamatta River, looking north of Storrings Bridge
A small waterfall north of the bridge
Shallow rapids south of the bridge
Skootamatta River at the Price Conservation Area, near Actinolite. Generally, the riverside landscape, habitat, and odonate species are typical of those elsewhere along the Skootamatta and Moira Rivers. However, some parts of the river shoreline have emergent plants grading meadows and forests.
Marsh on Marlbank Road, east of VanderWey Ct. A typical local marsh with some open expanses of shallow water. Aquatics include pondweed and water lilies. Emergent plants such as cattails and rushes grade into shoreline vegetation consisting of tall grasses and wildflowers, mixed with shrubs such as willow and speckled alder. The marsh is bordered by mixed deciduous and evergreen forest.
The dragonflies encountered here are typical of those seen at other local marshes: Frosted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida), Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata), Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia) and the Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera). A Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa) was observed foraging in the shoreline grasses. The Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis), Sedge Sprite (Nehalennia irene) and various Enallagma sp. are abundant. A male Aurora Damsel (Chromagrion conditum) was encountered at this locale.
Looking north
Looking south
Stoco Fen, east of Tweed on Hungerford Road. The fen has little open water compared to the marshes. Vegetation consists of sedges, grasses and wildflowers mixed with shrubs. Tamarack and white cedar are the prevalent tree species at this locale.
The odonate population is generally the same as at other local still water habitats. Aside from the unique flora supported by the fen (for example, the Small White Orchid and the Pitcher Plant), this is also the second known local site where one can expect to find the Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella). The Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera), Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum) and Brush-tipped Emerald (Somatochlora walshii) are commonly encountered species.
