24 April 2010

Winter odes in Jalisco

Nannothemis and I participated in a Conservation Birding Trip sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. The trip included one week in Jalisco, Mexico in late February-2010 and involved flying in/out of Guadalajara, spending a few days at high elevation in the Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve, and a few days at low elevation in/around the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve.

It was cold at elevation. Thus, we didn't find any dragonflies on the first portion of the trip, but I would recommend you visit Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve if the occasion arises. Apparently, there area helicopter damselflies (but likely when the temperatures are above freezing).

On our first evening (February 24th) at lower elevation we did a mangrove tour at La Manzanilla. Just before dusk we saw several darners which may have been Twilight Darners (Gynacantha nervosa).

Our first full day (February 25th) at lower elevation in the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve brought the first cooperative odes of the trip....
an immature male Black-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax funerea):


and a Great Pondhawk (Erythemis vesiculosa):


Later that day, we visited Playa Los Negritos and found several individuals of Striped Firetail (Telebasis filiola):


On our final day in the coastal area, we visited El Tamarindo Resort. Amazingly, the tourist resort has preserved a large patch of habitat (~1000 hectacres). During our drive to the birding locations, we did see some dragonflies near the golf course ponds, but we didn't have time to investigate.
The only ode giving a photo opp was this female Black-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax funerea):


Obviously, February is not the month to find the greatest diversity of dragonflies. However, this state of Mexico is a great place to visit. We found the people, food, animals, and habitats to be great.