First summer-like day in the field.

I took advantage of the sunny afternoon to search for Springtime Darner (Basiaeschna janata), a species still needed for Wayne county, Michigan. My search involved a few locations in the northwest part of the county near Johnson Creek.

Location #1: northeast of the Ridge Road and 5-Mile Road. Johnson Creek is bordered a large wetland (grass and cattail) to the south and a new, sprawling subdivision to the north and east.
3 Eastern Forktails (Ischnura verticalis)
5 Emerald Spreadwings (Lestes dryas)


2 Common Green Darners (Anax junius)
1 Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) - early date for SE MI
4 Common Whitetails (Plathemis lydia)
2 Widow Skimmers (Libellula luctuosa) - early date for SE MI
2 Twelve-spotted Skimmers (Libellula pulchella) - early date for SE MI

The wetlands are great for uncommon birds: Sedge Wren, Swamp Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark....and one year there were Henslow's Sparrows.

Location #2: Johnson Creek at 6-Mile Road
nada

Location #3: Fish Hatchery Park in Northville
2 Common Green Darners (Anax junius)

Thus, my search for an early non-Anax darner was a bust, but in the end it was a nice day to be out.