Dragonfly Watching is the New Birding

May 13th, 2009

Birdwatchers are turning their close-focus binoculars to dragonflies. The large, stocky and colorful dragonfly, is making it mark close to home for nature enthusiasts interested in dragonfly watching, or “dragonflying.”

The Laurel Highlands has several outdoor habitats with lakes, rivers, creeks and streams, where you will be sure to see many species of dragonflies flying about. Also, if your background garden includes a pond, dragonflies will be drawn to the source of water.

Dragonflying is the new Birding

Tips for Attracting Dragonflies

* Dragonflies are solar powered, cold-blooded, and need sunlight to reach a certain temperature before they can fly. Without enough heat, they are inactive and stop breeding, eating or escaping from predators. They like to warm up by basking in the sun on light colored flat rocks along a sunny edge of the water.

* If you would like to use your pond as a backyard habitat for dragonflies to breed, be sure your pond is fish free, as they will prey the nymphs and eggs.

* Dragonflies like to hunt for smaller insects in wildflower grasslands close to the waters edge.

* Herbicides and fertilizers near or up-wind from a body of water will deter a dragonfly.