Survey submissions are declining, as to be expected. But sunny days can still bring out Odes and Observers.

We just went over 38,000 research grade observations for the year - very close to 2023 numbers at this point in the season. If we have good days and participation we should finish the year at or close to the top of annual data.

Autumn Meadowhawk and Familiar Bluet are the main species, but there are also good numbers on Mosaic Darners and Forktails.

The October Dragon Flyer newsletter is now on the Ohio Odonata Society website - see it in full color (and past issues) at this link:

https://www.ohioodonatasociety.org/dragonflyer-newsletters

The first half of the month has been good for Dragonfly observation - mostly warm and sunny. We should still have some good days, but things continue to slow down.

We are now over 39,000 research-grade observations for 2024. This is more than 2023, which set the previous high mark.

So far in 2024, over 1,300 different people have contributed observation. This surpasses the 1,181 count for 2020.

Eastern Forktail has the most observations for the year. This is not a surprise. But! the 2,612 Eastern Forktail observations for this year establishes a new annual high observation number for all species and years in our data - displacing the 2,553 Blue Dasher records in 2019.

These things - numbers and people - are encouraging and maybe offset my impression that I'm seeing fewer Odonata this year...

Our October numbers are not yet at 2023 levels - but we have a couple weeks to work on that. Many species are at or near the 5-year-average levels. Species having an especially good October are Green-striped Darner, Double-striped Bluet, and Dusky Dancer.

October species we have routinely reported but are still waiting on are Smoky Rubyspot, Common Whitetail, and Ebony Jewelwing. Striped Saddlebags, Arrow Clubtail, and Red Saddlebags still have a chance, but are less likely with each passing day.