Aug. 24, 2008 - 1st Field Trip

On Sunday, August 24, 2008, Paul Lederer lead a group of 4 members of the Nature Section on a dragonfly study at Pouch Camp. With nets in hand the group walked to the edge of Lake Orbach to look for some dragonflies. The day was cloudy, with the threat of rain looming over head which unfortunately meant lessened dragonfly activities. Mr. Lederer took the moments of slow activity to engage the group in discussion about general dragonfly knowledge which led to discussion of specific identification. At some point, Paul did net one of the few Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis), allowing the group to get close up looks of this very common species.


Above: Blue Dasher (Platydiplax longipennis), Aug 24, 2008. Photo by Jarred Sutton
Left: Paul Lederer, founder and lead-researcher of the Staten Island Dragonfly Atlas
Photo by Jarred Sutton, Aug. 24, 2008

Above: Group studying on the dock at Pouch Camp. Paul Lederer (left), Seth Wollney (standing, middle), Tom Dulski (sitting, middle), Catherine Barrons (right). Photo by Jarred Sutton.

After a while, the sun finally broke through enough to inspire some male blue dasher to patrol the edges of the lake, joined a few minutes later by a smaller number of slaty skimmer (Libellula incesta). Mr. Lederer was able to knock one the slaty skimmers with his net which made it possible for the group to get another in-hand study of these beautiful insects. While recovering, the bug allowed the group to use a loop for a magnified study of his cerci.

Right: Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta), Pouch Camp, Staten Island,

August 24, 2008, Photo by Jarred Sutton

Other species noted were: eastern amberwing (Perithemis tenera), common green darner (Anax junius), and single, female, yellow-legged meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) was found by Seth Wollney, and Tom Dulski on the opposite side of the pond before the group met.

Above: Yellow-legged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum), Long Pond Park, 8/7/08.

Photo by Seth Wollney (c) 2008

-Seth Wollney
Section of Natural History

Opening Blog

Greetings Dragonfly Enthusiasts!

This is the first blog-posting of the Staten Island Dragonfly Atlas (formerly Survey). The purpose of this blog is two-fold, to let current volunteers know what's going on, and to encourage new volunteers to join in the fun and get surveyeing.

Paul Lederer proposed the Staten Island Dragonfly Atlas (Survey) to the Staten Island Museum in 1996. Mr. Lederer wished to continue the work on Staten Island Odonata started in the late 19th century by William T. Davis. As often is the case on the island, we are fortunate to have the bonafide work of Mr. Davis to provides us with baseline data upon which we can base our current studies in many areas of Staten Island interest. Likewise, it is hoped that our current work will provide interesting historic insight to future generations.

In the summer of 2008, the Section of Natural History of the Staten Island Museum joined Mr. Lederer in the efforts to gain a current understanding of the Dragonflies of Staten Island. Over the next 5-years, the Section hopes to enroll new volunteers to assist in surveying for the atlas project. Similar project of much great scales have collected Odonata data in New York and other states over the past few years.

The remainder of the 2008 season will focus on learning how to identify dragonflies on the wing, and get closer looks when possible! The field work (survey) will start in April 2009. Between now and then workshops, and lectures are being planned for volunteers, and dragonfly enthusiasts. The first lecture in this series, given by Mr. Lederer, will be held at Nature Section meeting on September 25, 2008 at 7:30pm at the Staten Island Museum.

Happy Dragonfly Watching!

-Seth Wollney
Section of Natural History