Cary Kerst (left) and Steve Gordon accept their West Eugene Wetlands Partnership Appreciation award at the ceremony May 5, 2006
Dragonfly Hotspots in the West Eugene Wetlands
Visit Sandpiper and Grimes Ponds between Bertelsen Road and Wallis Street, and you can observe pond life during the adults' peak periods throughout July and August. Sandpiper Pond was created in 1997 with funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation. Its shallow banks and rich vegetation along the shores make it an attractive habitat for many dragonfly and damselfly species. Access the ponds by parking at 5th Ave and Wallis Street and following the Bertelsen Walking Trail. Click here for a map.
Attention Dragonfly and Damselfly Enthusiasts!
Thirty-seven species of dragonflies and damselflies (Order Odonata, aka Odonates) have been recorded in West Eugene. This number represents about 60 percent of Lane County's 62 species and about 40 percent of Oregon's 87 species. The Odonates are relatively large insects that live most of their lives underwater in a nymph phase. As aquatic insects, the adults dominate life over the water. Under water, the carnivorous nymphs lurk, seeking prey. The adults span the spectrum of colors, have excellent eyesight, and display magnificent flying prowess as they eat other flying insects and defend mating territories. Even if you don't want to learn to tell the beautiful Blue-eyed Darner, Flame Skimmer or the Cardinal Meadowhawk apart, just watch and enjoy the busy activity along shores or among the floating and emergent plants where the damselflies are more abundant. You will see males patrolling and defending territories, couples linked in mating positions, and females laying eggs directly into the water or into submerged plants and woody debris.
Steve Gordon and Cary Kerst win the West Eugene Wetlands Partnership Appreciate Awawrd for their research and writing of “Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Willamette Valley, Oregon: A Beginner’s Guide”.
In 1999, Steve Gordon and Cary Kerst teamed up to try to identify local dragonflies and damselflies. With initial, struggling success, they began to develop a checklist of West Eugene Wetlands Odonates. By 2002, the idea for a local guidebook hatched. Together, they have led numerous local field trips and teach Odonate classes, sharing the joy of dragonflies and damselflies in the West Eugene Wetlands.
Together, they have spent over 2,500 hours in the field researching and gathering data, taking photos, writing, and editing for the book, released in November 2005. In addition to creating a valuable resource for dragonfly enthusiasts, scientists, and land managers, Steve and Cary have generously donated 100 percent of the profit generated by sales to WREN to support the education program.
