Dragonflies and damselflies! Community came together to learn how to tell a dragonfly and damselfly (Odonates from the order Odonata) apart, areas they favor, and what types of weather conditions are ideal for seeing them. This year we aimed to record the types and how many Odonates called the Tegart pond in Gresham home. During the bioblitz, volunteers also captured the vegetation and other species that live around the pond.
The ponds capture runoff from nearby neighborhoods and creates valuable habitat. We were able to spot 9 different Odonates species as well as red-winged blackbirds, sedges, spirea, ducks, frogs, native flowers, and more. The areas in and around the ponds are complex and a wonderful place to spend a sunny afternoon.