Wetzel State Recreation Area

While searching for more ode habitat in Macomb County, Michigan, I ended up at Wetzel State Recreation Area (SRA). This state property includes a wooded creek, open fields, and mitigated wetlands. The Friends of Wetzel State Recreation Area website has some good information about the location including an aerial map.

Unfortunately, I found this site in the latter half of the 2009 ode season, but I did find a good number of new county records and also recorded species not always seen in the hand.

Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener) were found on my last visit. Here is a male from September 20:

Swamp Spreadwing (Lestes vigilax) were found on each visit. Here is a male from August 15:

Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens) were found on a couple visits. Here is a male from September 6:

Mottled Darner (Aeshna clepsydra) were the most numerous darner. Here is a male from September 5:
...and another male found perched on September 20:

Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) were observed a couple of times. Here is a male from August 15:

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) were present in small numbers. Here is a female from August 29:

I didn't spend enough time checking the stream (Coon Creek) due to the masses of mosquitoes, but there have to be species to be found along the waterway. Also, the constructed ponds and lakes have a good number of sandy edges. I'll have to check out this location earlier in the 2010 season in hopes of finding clubtails (Gomphids).