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Premeeting Trips for Wednesday and Thursday, 7-8 June
Premeeting Trips for Wednesday and Thursday, 7-8 June
Tuesday 6 June
Tuesday 6 June
Plan to arrive at the pre-meeting motel (see Accomodations) sometime Tuesday for our 9:00 AM Departure on Wednesday for the field trip. The motel is about a 30 minute drive south of the Richmond airport.
Plan to arrive at the pre-meeting motel (see Accomodations) sometime Tuesday for our 9:00 AM Departure on Wednesday for the field trip. The motel is about a 30 minute drive south of the Richmond airport.
Wednesday 7 June
Wednesday 7 June
The motel will give us the best access to our pre-meeting sites which will include Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery and the Virginia Commonwealth University Rice Rivers Center in Charles City County, and Chub Sandhill Natural Area Preserve in Sussex County.
The motel will give us the best access to our pre-meeting sites which will include Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery and the Virginia Commonwealth University Rice Rivers Center in Charles City County, and Chub Sandhill Natural Area Preserve in Sussex County.
The fish hatchery ponds have a nice diversity of odonates, and Herring Creek is a site for Blackwater Bluet (Enallagma weewa).
The fish hatchery ponds have a nice diversity of odonates, and Herring Creek is a site for Blackwater Bluet (Enallagma weewa).
The adjacent Rice Rivers Center gives us access to the tidal lower James River, where we should find Big Bluet (Enallagma durum). This is private property that requires permission to access
The adjacent Rice Rivers Center gives us access to the tidal lower James River, where we should find Big Bluet (Enallagma durum). This is private property that requires permission to access
Chub Sandhill Natural Area Preserve ponds and the Nottoway River in Sussex County have a different set of species including Yellow-sided Skimmer (Libellula flavida), Burgundy Bluet (Enallagma dubium), and Duckweed Firetail (Telebasis byersi).
Chub Sandhill Natural Area Preserve ponds and the Nottoway River in Sussex County have a different set of species including Yellow-sided Skimmer (Libellula flavida), Burgundy Bluet (Enallagma dubium), and Duckweed Firetail (Telebasis byersi).
Two supplemental sites near Fort Lee
Two supplemental sites near Fort Lee
Note these sites are private property and should be viewed from the public road right of way
Carson Wetlands
Carson Wetlands
Carson wetlands off I-95 20 miles south of Ft Lee. This site has had Duckweed Firetail (Telebasis byersi), Southern Sprite (Nehalennia integricollis), and Elegant Spreadwing (Lestes inaequalis). This spot is 0.4 miles north of Johns Rd. on US Rt 301/S. Crater Rd., adjacent to the 35.6 mile marker over the fence along I-95 south. Take exit 37 from I-95 south, then go left on Rt. 301 for a couple of miles. There is room for at least 3 or 4 cars on the grass, and traffic is sparse mid-morning but fast early morning an late in the day. On the north end, you can walk into the grassy swampy area. Also walking along the guardrail gives you good views of the swamp. There is a culvert mid way that also gives some access. Duckweed Firetails are seen mostly on either side of the culvert. Anhingas are also often seen here.
Map here. Coordinates: 37.008275, -77.392768
Jones Hole Swamp ponds
Jones Hole Swamp ponds
The Jones Hole Swamp ponds (which are quite small) are about 4 miles north of Carson Wetlands . Going south on I-95 take exit 41 (Courtland exit). Turn left at the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp and go a short distance to Spain Rd and turn left. In just a few blocks turn left on Shands Rd. Within a mile, maybe a half mile, look for a little pond on your left that has lily pads; pass the pond and park at the turnout on the left. Walk back to the ponds. There are little ponds on both sides of the road, but best is the pond on the east side of the road (the one with the lily pads). Look for Elegant Spreadwing (Lestes inaequalis) close to the road in the grasses on your right as you face the pond. Royal River Cruisers (Macromia taeniolata) and Cyrano Darner(Nasiaeschna pentacantha) are sometimes seen patrolling the ponds.
Map here. Coorinates: 37.0792476, -77.3721456
Thursday 8 June
Thursday 8 June
On Thursday morning we will check out of the motel and then head west to Staunton with numerous stops along the way. Pocahontas State Park, south of Richmond, has a species list of around seventy, including Swift Setwing (Dythemis velox), Lilypad Forktail (Ischnura kellicotti), and Attenuated Bluet (Enallagma daeckii). We also have a good chance for Gray Petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi),though they can be unpredictable. Click here for a species list of the park. Walk the trail along the N side of Beaver Lake and explore the area of the boat launch.
On Thursday morning we will check out of the motel and then head west to Staunton with numerous stops along the way. Pocahontas State Park, south of Richmond, has a species list of around seventy, including Swift Setwing (Dythemis velox), Lilypad Forktail (Ischnura kellicotti), and Attenuated Bluet (Enallagma daeckii). We also have a good chance for Gray Petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi),though they can be unpredictable. Click here for a species list of the park. Walk the trail along the N side of Beaver Lake and explore the area of the boat launch.
Other stops will include several boat landings on the James River west of Richmond for Gomphus vastus (Cobra Clubtail) and other large-river species.
Other stops will include several boat landings on the James River west of Richmond for Gomphus vastus (Cobra Clubtail) and other large-river species.
We will arrive in Staunton in late afternoon for check in to the meeting accomodations.
We will arrive in Staunton in late afternoon for check in to the meeting accomodations.
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