Migratory Dragonfly Short Course

Long Point Bird Observatory - Bird Studies Canada

Port Rowan, Ontario

September 28, 2013 - 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Dragonfly migration is one of the most fascinating events in the insect world, but also one of the least-known. To shed light on this understudied phenomenon, the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership (MDP) is hosting dragonfly migration short courses across North America. The objective of these one-day events is to train participants to identify key migratory species and contribute data to ongoing MDP citizen science projects. 

Dragonfly migration occurs on every continent except Antarctica. The aptly-named Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), though less famed as a migrant than the monarch butterfly, makes annual flights across the Indian Ocean that are twice the distance of monarch migrations. In North America, migrations are seen annually in late summer and early fall, when thousands to millions of insects stream southward along coasts, lake shores, and mountain ridges from Canada down to Mexico and the West Indies, passing along both coasts of the United States and through the Midwest. Movement back north is less obvious, but we know it occurs because mature adult dragonflies appear early in spring at places where overwintering resident nymphs have not yet emerged.

Only about 16 of our 326 dragonfly species in North America are regular migrants, with some making annual seasonal flights while others are more sporadic. The major migratory species in North America are Common Green Darner (Anax junius), Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea), Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata), and Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum).

Although it spans three countries and has been documented since the 1880s, North American dragonfly migration is still poorly understood, and much remains to be learned about migratory cues, flight pathways, and the southern limits of overwintering grounds. The MDP is filling this gap by combining research, citizen science, and education and outreach to better understand North America’s migrating dragonflies, and to promote conservation of their wetland habitat.

Migratory Dragonfly Short Courses will educate participants about dragonfly life history, ecology, and migratory behavior, and provide training in MDP project protocols. The courses will include both a morning classroom and afternoon field component, and participants will receive a resource packet with migratory dragonfly publications, fact sheets, protocols, and identification guides. For information on other MDP short courses in North America, visit the MDP events page to view up-to-date short course information. If you would like to receive announcements about upcoming dragonfly short courses or request one in your area, please email dragonfly@xerces.org. Be sure to include the following information: name, affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and the state(s) for which you would like to receive announcements.

SHORT COURSE TRAINING SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES

• Knowledge of dragonfly life history
• Knowledge of key concepts related to dragonfly ecology
• Knowledge of the current impacts on dragonflies and their habitat
• Ability to identify migratory dragonflies and distinguish them from other look-a-like species
• Knowledge of the key conservation issues concerning dragonflies in North America
• Ability to assess dragonfly migration events and record observations
• Ability to use monitoring protocols to collect and submit relevant scientific data
• Ability to contribute data to citizen science projects and advance understanding of dragonfly migration

COURSE AGENDA (times are approximate)

10:00 am – 10:15 am       Welcome and introduction

10:15 am – 11:00 am       Introduction to dragonflies: life history and ecology

11:00 am – 11:45 am       Dragonfly migration

11:45 am – 12:00 pm       Break 

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm         Citizen scientists and the MDP: Migration monitoring,                                                     Pond Watch, and the stable isotope project   

1:00 pm – 1:30 pm          Conservation of Dragonflies /  Lunch (bring a sack luch)

1:30 pm – 1:45 pm          Break

1:45 pm – 2:30 pm          Dragonfly identification

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm          Field trip: observing and identifying dragonflies                                                                    

INSTRUCTOR

Colin Jones

Colin is a lifelong naturalist who for many years worked as a Naturalist in Algonquin Provincial Park. Since 1999, he has worked for the Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in Peterborough where he deals primarily with rare species. Like many naturalists, Colin first developed a keen interest in birds and birding but this interest gradually grew into other areas. Over the past 20 years, he has been very interested in the study of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies). He is a coordinator of the Ontario Odonata Atlas project, the co-editor of “Ontario Odonata” and the co-author of “A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Algonquin Provincial Park and Surrounding Area.” Colin is also the Vice-President for Canada of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas and is on the steering committee for the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership.

ABOUT THE MIGRATORY DRAGONFLY PARTNERSHIP

The MDP is composed of dragonfly experts, nongovernmental programs, academic institutions, and federal agencies from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Together, we are combining research, citizen science, and education and outreach to better understand North America's migratory dragonflies and promote conservation of their wetland habitat. For information about the MDP, visit http://www.migratorydragonflypartnership.org/.

CERTIFICATION

This course may qualify for continuing education credits for teachers or Master Naturalists seeking advanced training volunteer hours for citizen science projects. Please contact your local Master Naturalist/Continuing Education program coordinator to see if this course qualifies as a volunteer service project for advanced training hours or continuing education for teachers. Certificates of completion will be available to participants.

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