Another trip to Australia but this was mainly a tourist trip, first visiting relatives in Brisbane and then in Stanley, Victoria via Melbourne, with a 10-day motorhome trip through the outback in between. So, my hunting of odonata was less intensive, taking opportunities when and where I could. Nonetheless, I’d done a little research on iNaturalist around our intended stops and had a few targets that I would like to hit.
My three previous dragonfly trips to Australia were in November and December, which is the earlier part of their dragonfly season. This trip was in the latter part of their season and I was interested to see what difference that might make. As in this country, it did cut down on the number of damselfly species that I could find and I fairly soon began spotting a pattern of usual suspects, also as here.
We flew on Malaysia Airlines through Kuala Lumpur, mainly because they had a special deal on seats. Unfortunately, Malaysia Airlines doesn’t fly to Brisbane so we routed through Adelaide with a connecting internal flight. Return was simpler since we left from Melbourne, where Malaysia does fly, again through KL.
We began with a rental car for 5 days in Brisbane staying with relatives, then picked up a Maui motorhome to meander through the outback before handing it back at Melbourne, where we picked up a second rental car to stay with Carol’s brother and sister-in-law at Stanley, Victoria.
I’ve done some of Brisbane and Stanley before so they were mostly like catching up but the inland route in the motor home was entirely new. The trip resulted in 32 species, 6 0f which were new to me. That was a whole lot better than I had expected given the timing and style of the trip. My new species are shown in bold type below.
Here’s my map of locations. Overnight points are shown in a separate layer which can be triggered on the full map.
Queens Park, Ipswich, 24 Jan [#1]
A new site for me in a Brisbane suburb that we visited mainly to see an enormous roost of Fruit Bats.Queens Park has a Nature Centre which includes small water bodies with attendant dragonflies, though. Hemicordlia australiae (Australian Emerald) played nicely for the audience.
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher)
- Nososticta solida (Orange Threadtail)
- Hemicordlia australiae (Australian Emerald)
- Ictinogomphus australis (Australian TIger)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
- Orthetrum villosovittatum (Fiery Skimmer)
Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, 24 Jan [#2]
This was one of my favourite sites from my first odo-hunting trip with Phil Benstead in 2019. I was keen to revisit it but it felt a little slow second time around. I think was the only place I saw Crocothemis nigrifrons (Black-headed Skimmer), though.
- Nososticta solida (Orange Threadtail)
- Crocothemis nigrifrons (Black-headed Skimmer)
- Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Percher)
- Hydrobasileus brevistylus (Water Prince)
- Ictinogomphus australis (Australian Tiger)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
- Orthetrum villosovittatum (Fiery Skimmer)
- Rhyothemis graphiptera (Graphic Flutterer)
- Rhyothemis phyllis (Yellow-striped Flutterer)
Karawatha Forest, Brisbane, 25 Jan [#3]
This was a new site that I was introduced to by an Australian contact and was very keen to try, especially as it supports a population of the diminutive Nannophya australis (Australian Pygmyfly). I’d seen these once before but only an immature male, so I wanted a shot at them with my current photographic kit [Olympus]. Helped by my local contact, I did manage to find mature and maturing males of them, along with a satisfying haul of other species including a brand new one, Tramea eurybia (Dune Glider). Some decent shots of Aethriamanta circumsignata (Square-spot Basker) were also very welcome.
- Austroagrion watsoni (Eastern Billabongfly)
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Xanthagrion erythroneurum (Red & Blue Damsel)
- Aethriamanta circumsignata (Square-spot Basker)
- Choristhemis flavoterminata (Yellow-tipped Tigertail)
- Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Percher)
- Hemicordulia australiae (Australian Emerald)
- Hydrobasileus brevistylus (Water Prince)
- Nannophya australis (Australian Pygmyfly)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
- Rhyothemis graphiptera (Graphic Flutterer)
- Rhyothemis phyllis (Yellow-striped Flutterer)
- Tramea eurybia (Dune Glider)
Springfield Lakes, Brisbane, 26 Jan [#4]
A new spot that turned out to be better than expected with decent views of Aethriamanta nymphaeae (L-spot Basker) and Rhodothemis lieftincki (Red Arrow).
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Aethriamanta nymphaeae (L-spot Basker)
- Hydrobasileus brevistylus (Water Prince)
- Ictinogomphus australis (Australian Tiger)
- Rhodothemis lieftincki (Red Arrow)
- Rhyothemis graphiptera (Graphic Flutterer)
- Rhyothemis phyllis (Yellow-striped Flutterer)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
West Creek Park, Toowoomba, 28 Jan [#5]
Our first stop on the road with the motor home and one that I was looking forward to with some anticipation. I had once seen the delightful Pseudagrion aureofrons (Gold-fronted Riverdamsel) on the 2019 trip with Phil Benstead but I could only manage a distant shot of it in the middle of a river. I noticed that they had been seen at this location and was keen to get better photos with my Olympus equipment. Had we been a day earlier, the bridge from the campsite in the park would have been flooded but the water had now subsided and there were very cooperative individuals flying and perching very close by. I was a very happy. There was a decent haul of other species, too.
- Austroagrion watsoni (Eastern Billabongfly)
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Pseudagrion aureofrons (Gold-fronted Riverdamsel)
- Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher)
- Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Percher)
- Hemicordulia australiae (Australian Emerald)
- Ictiinogomphus australis (Australian Tiger)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
- Rhyothemis graphiptera (Graphic Flutterer)
Rocky Creek Glacial Area, nr. Bingara, 30 Jan [#6]
More of a tourist stop en route but there was water so I thought I’d have a look; why not? The “usual suspects” pattern was getting established with these two. There was a damselfly, too, but I lost track of it.
- Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Percher)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden, 31 Jan [#7]
The “usual suspects” triumvirate was personified, here. Not as productive as I’d expect from a botanic garden but perhaps too manicured.
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Percher)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
Rotary Park, Nyngan, 31 Jan [#8]
There were two surprises in Nyngan, where we stopped beside the Bogan River for lunch.
Even the river name was a surprise but the first was seeing a large statue called the Big Bogan, then realising that Nyngan is in Bogan Shire. My surprise stemmed from the fact that Australian slang uses the term “bogan” as an insult meaning “a person whose speech, clothing, attitude and behaviour are considered unrefined or unsophisticated”. A lady I spoke to at the Cobar campsite said it meant “a dickhead”. Who would want to live here?
My second surprise was much more pleasant in that we found two delightful damselflies who clearly didn’t mind residing in Rotary Park on the Bogan River: Ischnura aurora (Aurora Bluetail) and the stunning Xanthagrion erythroneurum (Red & Blue Damsel).
- Ischnura aurora (Aurora Bluetail)
- Xanthagrion erythroneurum (Red & Blue Damsel)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
Zinc Lakes, Broken Hill, 02 Feb [#9]
In the depths of outback New South Wales, though for communication reasons Broken Hill is actually on Adelaide time (30minutes shifted), I wasn’t expecting much but a park with a lake had two of the usual suspects plus, unexpectedly, the charming Xanthagrion erythroneurum (Red & Blue Damsel) again, including a tandem pair.
- Xanthagrion erythroneurum (Red & Blue Damsel)
- Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Perrcher)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
Kerang-Quambatook Rd, nr. Kerang, 04 Feb [#10]
The mercury topped out at 42C during this journey but there was an irresistible roadside water course that I had to investigate. Yet again, I was a bit surprised to see Xanthagrion erythroneurum (Red & Blue Damsel) but, since I’ve used that species quite a bit, we’ll highlight Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher) this time and a female, for a change.
- Xanthagrion erythroneurum (Red & Blue Damsel)
- Anax papuensis (Australian Emperor)
- Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher)
- Hemicordilia tau (Tau Emerald)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
Mcivor Creek, Heathcote, 06 Feb [#11]
This was our last stop on our road trip with the motor home and very successful it turned out to be, too, not because of the number of species but because one of the four we found was brand new to me: ‘t was a female Parasynthemis regina (Royal Tigertail). Delighted would be an understatement since I hadn’t really been expecting to find new suspects on such a trip.
- Anax papuensis (Australian Emperor)
- Hemicordulia tau (Tau Emerald)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
- Parasynthemis regina (Royal Tigertail)
Stanley Barge Dam, 08 & 19 Feb [#12]
This was one of my favourite spots, within walking distance of my Brother-in-law, on our first exploration of Stanley. Given the lateness of the season I was expecting fewer species and that’s just what I got, not that I was disappointed. A nice tandem pair of Ischnura aurora (Aurora Bluetails) was a pleasant find along with decent views of a hung-up Aeshna brevistyla (Blue-spotted Hawker) .
- Ischnura aurora (Aurora Bluetail)
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Aeshna brevistyla (Blue-spotted Hawker)
- Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher)
- Hemicorduila australiae (Australian Emerald)
Reedy Creek, Woolshed, 08 Feb [#13]
We were familiar with Woolshed Falls from our 2017 visit but I has seen interesting sightings on iNaturalist before coming at this free camping area downstream of the falls. It proved to be a great spot in that it was our only meeting with Austroargiolestes icteromelas (Common Flatwing) and it got me a second new species, Austrogomphus guerini (Yellow-striped Hunter), which is always a thrill.
- Austroargiolestes icteromelas (Common Flatwing)
- Austrogomphus guerini (Yellow-striped Hunter)
- Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Percher)
- Hemigomphus heteroclytus (Stout VIcetail)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
Commissioners Creek, Yackandandah, 09 Feb [#14]
This was where I first found Austroargiolestes icteromelas (Common Flatwing) during my 2017 visit. I didn’t find them here this time – maybe their flight season here was over. I found just two species but one was my third new one, Synthemis eustalacta (Swamp Tigertail) so I was more than happy.
- Austrogomphus guerini (Yellow-striped Hunter)
- Synthemis eustalacta (Swamp Tigertail)
Woolshed Falls, Beechworth, 09 Feb [#15]
Not as exciting 2nd time around and later in the Australian season though it would have been had I not already seen Austrogomphus guerini (Yellow-striped Hunter) in Reedy Creek below the falls the day before.
- Austrogomphus guerini (Yellow-striped Hunter)
- Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Percher)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
Wonga Wetlands, Albury, 10 Feb [#16]
It felt as if we were really getting down to the dregs of the season, now, but this proved interesting in that both the common Emeralds, Hemicordilia australiae (Australian Emerald) and Hemicordulia tau (Tau Emerald) were flying together.
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Hemicordulia australiae (Australian Emerald)
- Hemicordulia tau (Tau Emerald)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
Cook Lane, Stanley, 11 Feb [#17]
This was a lengthy walk in the bush with Carol’s brother that very luckily found me another new species and a Hawker-type that settled, toboot: Austroaeschna multipunctata (Multi-spotted Darner). The Flatwing was on a so-called dam on a side track beside a farm.
- Austroargiolestes icteromelas (Common Flatwing)
- Austroaeschna multipunctata (Multi-spotted Darner)
Rotary Park, Myrtleford, 12 Feb [#18]
Given both a creek and a river, I went expecting a little more than just two species. A little disappointing, even at this time of the season.
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Hemigomphus heteroclytus (Stout Vicetail)
Lake Sambell, Beechworth, 12 & 14 Feb [#19]
There’re actually two waterbodies here, the main lake, the north-eastern end of which is the interesting bit, and the more ornamental Chinese garden at the south-west end. A modest collection of species made a refreshing change after the disappointment of Myrtleford. It was good to add a tandem pair of Austroagrion watsoni (Eastern Billabongfly) to my catalogue.
- Austroagrion watsoni (Eastern Billabonfly)
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Xanthagrion erythroneurum (Red & Blue Damsel)
- Anax papuensis (Australian Emperor)
- Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher)
- Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer)
- Orthetrum villosovittatum (Fiery Skimmer)
Snowy Creek, Mitta Mitta, 13 Feb [#20]
This was a lunchtime jaunt to a pub for lunch. The pub grounds were nestled in a bend of Snowy Creek. At first I saw no action but eventually we found an interesting damselfly new addition to the collection, Synlestes weyersii (Bronze Needle). At first I mistook it for a Flatwing – they are quite large – except that it hangs rather than sits. That turned sausage and mash into a great lunchtime treat.
- Ischnura heterosticta (Australian Bluetail)
- Austroargiolestes icteromelas (Common Flatwing)
- Synlestes weyersii (Bronze Needle)
Lake Catani, Mount Buffalo, 18 Feb [#21]
Into the final throes of our trip we had a day trip up Mount Buffalo for family emotional reasons. I might have hoped for a bit more from a picnic beside this lake. At first thought I might have another new Tigertail but they turned out to be swarms of Synthemis eustalacta (Swamp Tigertail) again, which I’d seen in Yackandandah.
- Ischnura aurora (Aurora Bluetail)
- Synthemis eustalacta (Swamp Tigertail)
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