Where to look for Odonates

An overview map is available here. Click on a map marker on this map for a description of the site.

See premeeting page for description of sites associated with the premeeting trip.

West of Staunton

Braley Pond

Braley Pond is a US Forest Service property. Click here for website. There is a trail around the south side of the pond that brings you to the stream inlet, and a trail then leads west along this stream.

It is a site for Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia), Aurora Damsel (Chromagrion conditum), Brown (Cordulagaster bilineata) and Arrowhead Spiketails (C. obliqua). The stream that flows into and out of the pond is unsurveyed. This location is about a 30 minute drive west of Staunton. From US 250 about 15 miles west of Staunton, turn north on Rte. 715. Go about 0.4 miles and turn left to Braley Pond. DeLorme p.66 B1

Click here for map. Coordinates: 38.288187, -79.303469

Bullpasture River Gorge

This site is on the south end of the Highland Wildlife Management Area in Highland County along Rte. 678. This is about a 75 minute drive from Staunton. A swinging bridge and parking area gives good public access. Species possible include Harpoon Clubtail (Phanogomphus descriptus), Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus), Eastern Least Clubtail (Stylogomphus albistylus), and other river species. This is also a site for Appalachian Tiger Beetle (Cicindela ancocisconensis). Delorme p.65 C6

Click here for map. Coordinates: 38.21350, -79.59129

For a PDF map of the Bullpasture River Gorge area click here.

Another good access to the Bullpasture River is the ford on Rt 612. Click here for map. Coordinates: 38.269575, -79.534932

Calfpasture River at Route 250

At the intersection of US 250 and Braley Pond Rd.(Rte. 715) about 15 miles west of Staunton. Turn right on Braley Pond Rd. and there is a spot where a few cars can park and access the Calfpasture River. Downstream in some emergent vegetation is where Ski-tipped Emerald (Somatochlora elongata) was seen emerging in June 2016. There are also records of Appalachian snaketail (Ophiogomphus incurvatus) from here. Delorme 66 B1

Click here for map. Coordinates: 38.273824, -79.300623

Cowpasture River at Route 629

This site is where the meeting “mascot” Appalachian Jewelwing (Calopteryx angustipennis) was photographed in June 2016. Access is rather difficult, involving bushwacking down a rather steep slope to get to the river, though they can even be seen from the bridge itself. And please only access upstream of the bridge as downstream is posted private property. Delorme p. 65 D5

This location is in Bath County, a little more than an hour drive from Staunton, where rte. 629 crosses the Cowpasture River.

Click here for map. Coordinates: 38.045868, -79.654218

Maury River at Goshen Pass

Maury River at Goshen Pass. Good access to rocky river with clubtails (Gomphidae), River Cruisers (Macromia), Appalachian Jewelwing (Calopteryx angustipennis) and other riverine species. Can be popular with the public on weekends. Has restroom facilities. Just downstream from the picnic area is a small parking pull off on the eastbound side of the road for a trail up Laurel Run which is also worth checking. There is an additional access point to the Maury River at a pedestrian swinging bridge which is unmarked along the road. This spot is 1.7 miles west of the picnic area parking, or 4.3 miles east of the intersection of Highways 39 & 42. Delorme 53 A7.

Click here for map. Coordinates: 37.931223, -79.456172

For a PDF map of the general area click here.

Private Pond off Route 614

This small wetland merits a short stop in conjunction with traveling south on Rte. 614 in Highland County on the way to or from the Bullpasture River Gorge. It is a site for Spatterdock Darner (Rhionaeschna mutata) and Amber-winged Spreadwing (Lestes eurinus). Please respect the private property. The wetland comes right up to the road, and odonates can be observed in the road right-of-way. Delorme p.65 B7.

Click here for map. Coordinates: 38.28689, -79.46630

East of Staunton

Darden Towe Park

Urban park with access to Rivanna River. Riverine species such as Rapids Clubtail (Phanogomphus quadricolor).

Click here for pdf of park map.

Click here for map. Coordinates: 38.04221, -78.45103

Hardware River WMA Boat Ramp off Rt 6

Here you can find Appalachian Jewelwing (Calopteryx angustipennis ) at the bridge crossing the Hardware as well as near the boat ramp on the James River and at the confuence of the Hardware and James River downriver from the parking lot. Lots of other goodies seen here including St. Croix Snaketail (Ophiogomphus susbehcha), Spendid (Gomphurus lineatifrons), Blackwater (Gomphurus dilatatus), Cobra (Gomphurus vastus), Rapids (Phanogomphus quadricolor), Green-faced (Hylogomphus viridifrons), and Spine-crowned Clubtails (Hylogomphus abbreviatus), Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus) as well as Cinnamon Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia virginiensis). Not all these species will be flying during the meeting. Search the vegetation around the parking lot and walk the grassy area downriver from the parking lot to the confluence with the Hardware River.

Click here for a map. Coordinates 37.741249, -78.407882

Maple Flats Ponds Complex

The many ponds that comprise this site are described at length in Roble 1999. See reference page or click here to view this article. Due to the different characteristics of each pond, a wide variety of pond species are found here. Special species include Aurora Damsel (Chromagrion conditum), Southern Sprite (Nehalennia integricollis), Double-ringed Pennant (Celithemis verna), Bar-winged Skimmer (Libellula axelina) and Comet Darner (Anax longipes). Streams in the area probably hold Tiger Spiketail (Cordulagaster erronea) and Sable Clubtail (Stenogomphurus rogersi), but specific sites are not well known.

Most of the Maple Flats ponds can be accessed by following the forest service trail N from the parking area (can accommodate fewer than 10 cars). The water levels of both Maple Flats North and South can be manipulated. The former was dry last year except for a small section in the deepest part.

The parking area is here. Coordinates: 37.97399, -78.997

Click here to see a map of the pond complex. The following ponds are mapped:

Maple Flats South 37.976, -78.995
Maple Flats North 37.977, -78.994
Oak Pond 37.981, -78.994 (slightly off the forest trail)
Twin Pond 37.983, -78.996
Spring Pond 37.985, -78.996

Milton Landing on the Rivanna River

The Milton canoe launch on the Rivanna River east of Charlottesville makes for an easy stop close to I-64 as you travel from Richmond to Staunton. Species seen here include Appalachian Jewelwing (Calopteryx angustipennis ) Cinnamon Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia virginiensis) , Swift Setwing (Dythemis velox), Splendid Clubtail (Gomphurus lineatifrons) and Allegheny River Cruiser (Macromia allegheniensis) and many riverine species. More information here and here.

There is a narrow level trail going through forest both directions along the river. The trail going west provides access to the river in several places, a couple of which can be steep and slippery after rains. The best spot for the Jewelwing is up river (west) near the bridge and this is the easiest place to access the river.

Take I-64 exit 124 (Shadwell) Go east on US 250. Turn right at the second stoplight (729), go past Clifton Inn and turn left at Randolph Mill Lane for Milton boat ramp.

DeLorme p. 68 D1

Click here for map. Coordinates: 38.00528, -78.39899

Warren Ferry Landing on the James River

This site is an old ferry landing and has nice access to the James River in Albemarle County south of Charlottesville. Species recorded here include Cobra Clubtail (Gomphurus vastus), Blackwater Clubtail (Gomphurus dilatatus), Spine-crowned Clubtail (Hylogomphus abbreviatus), Laura’s Clubtail (Stylurus laurae), Cinnamon Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia virginiensis), Appalachian Jewelwing (Calopteryx angustipennis), Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus), Cinnamon Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia virginiensis) and Smoky Rubyspot (Hetaerina titia).

Walk the field behind the parking area. There is a small pond at the back of the field that holds common pond species. The Shadowdragons fly around sunset out over the James River.

Directions from Staunton to Warren: I-64 east from Staunton 34.5 miles to Scottsville Road/Route 20 South, 14.8 miles south on Scottsville Road to turn right on Rte 626 Langhorne’s Road, 4.35 mi to turn left on James River Road, 0.97 mi to turn right on Warren Ferry Road, go about 1 mi. to parking lot at end of road.

This is a little over an hour drive from Staunton. Delorme p. 55 B7.

Click here for map. Coordinates: 37.763520, -78.557047

See additional sites described under Premeeting and Postmeeting trips.

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