Outing to Avondale Forest, 02/07/2021

Upon hearing that me and my family were going to the woods for a walk, I was thrilled!

Before iNat, I didn't think much on the smaller organisms I've passed on previous walks and hikes over the years. But now? I stop every minute to get pictures of a cool plant or kneel down in the dirt road to get one of a never-seen-before-by-my-eyes beetle.

This was my first family outing with the intention of recording the organisms along the way.

As I heard the fact that we were going to the forest for a walk, I packed the essentials: my phone for the photos, a portable charging port for on-the-road charge for my phone in case it got low on battery, water, a small jar to store any dead insects I find along the way for future pinning, and of course a pair of binoculars. When you're on a budget for equipment, you've got to make do!

On a lot of the walks I go on, I set a wishlist that I would like to happen on that outing. On this one, I hoped to come across a Woodland Dor Beetle (Anoplotrupes stercorosus) or something related to it.

Upon arriving, instantaneously a tree caught my interest. However, I didn't take a photo of it as it would have been rather awkward for me to take photos of something from every angle with people looking and I figured it was a cultivated and man-planted plant. I could've but I didn't. But, upon uploading my observations in the end and being curious if anyone else using iNat has been there, I found an observation that could be a hint as to what it was. A Japanese Pagota Tree (Styphnolobium japonicum).

After getting things sorted and ready, we were off.

It was going great: seen some nice woodland sights and got some observations of plants and bird calls. But it got better when I heard the tell-tale sound of a running river. It came back to me that there was a river there, and that ment Odonates.

After I have gotten into iNaturalist, I haven't seen a single dragon or damselfly. To add to it, I have been IDing and even did a personal project about them. All of these have added to my knowledge and enthusiasm about these insects, and now that I was about to potentially see them for myself since before becoming obsessed with iNat, I was excited. That was another wish I added to my list.

I wanted to get to the river banks, but my sister and me had taken the wrong path, but, eventually, we were back on track with a phone call from the rest who had taken the right one.

However, before getting down close to the water, my brother pointed out a dead bug to me. He shouted to me from a bit away: "It's a weird beetle!" I figured I knew what he was talking about and I ran to inspect. Sure enough it was a Woodland Dor! I picked the insect up and put it in the collection jar to take home and store it until it was ready to be pinned and got going again. That was one want off of the list.

I got some more observations of plants and bugs before getting close to the river, as well as more sights to take in. By the time we were walking alongside the river, I was getting even more pumped. Eventually we settled for a short break by a river bank where the water was rather slow flowing. (Hopes were getting high!) I looked to my left to inspect the area and admire it and low and behold, a damsel!

Above: Area in which the odes were.

More specifically, I am pretty sure he was a male Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) considering he had dark wings and a shiny metallic blue body. And beautiful he was! Fluttering like a butterfly in his little corner of hogweed, boulders and some sort of freshwater algae or plant, picking off small insects flying on the surface of the water. Every so often, he would flutter on down the river, probably patrolling his territory (if damsels like him do patrol territories...) and I would have to wait for him to come back.

In the meanwhile that he was gone, I also noticed a bunch of Jewelwings (Calopteryx) (probably Beautiful Demoiselles too) on an opposite bank fluttering about in a group of about 5 or 4.

There was also a majestic and rather large-looking Darner (Family Aeshnidae) above head a couple times too. That one was another gorgeous one. His wings were mesmerizing as he turned on the spot, darted around and glided down along the river as well. It was a shame I couldn't get decent photos of these Odes. However, just being in the precence of them for the first time with enthusiasm for these creatures was an experience in itself.

While there by the bank, I also saw some freshwater fish, possibly in their young stage, water striders (Family Gerridae) and a horse fly (Subfamily Tabaninae) who tried to take a bite out of us.

Eventually, it was time to get going back to the car park. I had my 2 wants in the bag and I was happy with the outcome of this trip. We got left behind a tad bit but eventually got back, still taking photos of plants, bugs and the scenery.

Above: Some shots from the outing.

Overall, this was such a nice outing as I got to admire nature, got a beetle to pin and best of all, got to see Odonates in action. Definitely looking forward to visiting again, as well as going to other forests and nature parks.

Posted on July 3, 2021 04:02 PM by bitsnbirds