A guide to finding Odes in Philadelphia county by Navin Sasikumar
(Note: This is not an exhaustive list and only includes places I’ve visited and species I’ve seen in the county)
Where to Find Them
John Heinz NWR
This is one of the best places to find dragonflies and damselflies in Philadelphia. A few different habitat types adds to a diversity of species as well. Some rarities like state first Needham’s Skimmer and Four-spotted Pennant have been discovered here.
Once you enter, explore the trail between the meadow and creek edges before the parking lot. Species like Blue-fronted Dancer are common here and you may find some rarer species over the creek like Russet-tipped Clubtails. At the end of that section of the trail, scan the small vernal pool by the outdoor restrooms for forktails including Rambur’s Forktail.
Once you have explored the creek and trail edges, go to the boardwalk via the dike road and scan the large impoundment which has a lot of emergent vegetation with spatterdock and cattails on the shallower ends. Common species like Blue Dasher, Common Green Darners, Eastern Pondhawks, Common Whitetails, Fragile and Eastern Forktails are abundant here. Other expected species include Eastern Amberwings, Halloween Pennants, Orange and Familiar Bluets, Widow Skimmers, Autumn Meadowhawks, Black Saddlebags, etc. The rare Needham’s Skimmer and Four-spotted Pennant have also been found here. Scan overhead for Wandering Gliders.
Cross the boardwalk and head towards the little boardwalk. Some of the same species from before can be found here as well, sometimes affording closer views. Continue past towards Haul Road and finally the Frog Pond. Scan the edges of the woods for species like Blue-faced Meadowhawk.
The Frog Pond is a small pond with lots of emergent vegetation. If some of the vegetation blocking pond views has been cut, you can get good looks at species like Azure Bluets, Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Carolina Saddlebags, Spot-winged Gliders, etc in addition to some already mentioned species above. Bar-winged Skimmer has also been seen here.
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education (SCEE)
This is another good place to see odonates with the diversity of habitat available. If you start at the center, search the ‘Fire Pond’ right in front of the center for common species like Blue Dashers, Common Whitetail and Eastern Pondhawks. If you start at the Hagy’s Mill Parking lot, take the trail to head towards the Wind Dance pond. Along the trail, search for species like Blue Dashers, Azure and Familiar Bluets and Swamp Darners. Scan the woods edge and along meadows for Slaty and Painted Skimmers.
The Wind Dance pond is usually host for a diverse number of dragonflies. Common species include Blue Dashers, Common Whitetail, Slaty, Twelve-spotted and Great Blue Skimmers, Eastern Pondhawks, Black and Carolina Saddlebags, Common Green Darners. If you scan lower in the vegetation, you’ll see damselflies like Fragile and Eastern Forktails, and Azure and Orange Bluets. Unicorn Clubtails and Comet Darners have also been seen here.
If you started at the Educational Center, you can explore the Ravine Loop first before you check out the Wind Dance Pond. The Ravine Loop has a creek that runs in dense shaded woods. This place is good for species that prefer shaded flowing water like Ebony Jewelwings and Orange Bluets. While I have not seen them myself, Shadow Darners are also known to occur here. Along the check, out out any ponds you come across for other pond species that you might have missed earlier. The trails are also known to have Great Spreadwings in the fall.
Pennypack Creek – Krewstown Road
This is a great spot for species that prefer running water. Park at the Krewstown Parking Lot and head out north on the trails. Scan the trail for Blue-fronted Dancers. Walk down to the first stream access just past the bridge. This is a good spot to get all recorded species of Dancers in Philadelphia. More Blue-fronted Dancers should be around, but mixed in should be Dusky, Variable and Powdered Dancers. You’ll find plenty of Stream Bluets patrolling the edge of the stream as well. Scan over the water and the rapids under the bridge for species like Prince Baskettails.
Next, continue along the trails following the creek. Continue scanning the edges for Stream Bluets and dancers you might have missed. As you get into more shaded territory, look for dragonflies that may be flying around in the shade. You can find Ebony Jewelwings and Fawn Darners here.
Pleasant Hill Park
This is a good spot to see Big Bluets. From the parking lot, head towards the boat ramp and scan the overhanging vegetation for Big Bluets. Continue along the trail beside the river, scanning for Big Bluets and other odes. Eastern Pondhawks and Common Whitetails should be flying around here as well.
Next head over to the Fish Hatchery ponds. There is a lot of low emergent vegetation here. Scan the plants for forktails, both Eastern and Fragile. Bluets like Orange and Slender Bluets can be found here as well, and dragonflies like Blue Dasher, Eastern Amberwing and Eastern Pondhawk should be flying around. Skimming Bluet has also been seen here (not by me).
Roxborough Reservoir
Trails around a reservoir. Look for species like Azure Bluets, Fragile and Eastern Forktails, Blue Dasher and Eastern Pondhawk. Slender Spreadwing has also been seen here. There is also a record for Calico Pennant (not seen by me) from here.
Wissahickon Creek
Similar to Pennypack Krewstown. Look for species like Stream Bluets, Ebony Jewelwings and Prince Baskettails.
Concourse Lake
Nothing out of the ordinary here. Good for common pond species like Blue Dasher, Eastern Amberwing, Slaty Skimmer, Eastern Pondhawk, Common Whitetail, Fragile and Eastern Forktails, Familiar Bluet, etc.
Species
Note: Endangered or threatened species locations may be obscured on iNaturalist maps
Note 2: Species seen by others but not included here: Skimming Bluet, Calico Pennant, Great Spreadwing, Tiger Spiketail, Common Baskettail, Stream Cruiser, Black-shouldered Spinyleg, Dragonhunter, American Rubyspot, Shadow Darner
Common Green Darner (Anax junius)
Common; found over open bodies of water and fields
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR, SCEE | Map of iNaturalist Observations

Comet Darner (Anax longipes)
Rare – only one record; open lakes and ponds
Top Spots: SCEE (Wind Dance Pond) | Map of iNaturalist Observations

Fawn Darner (Boyeria vinosa)
Uncommon; streams with some current; usually late afternoon; can be seen hanging vertically from shaded perches in woodlands.
Top Spots: Pennypack Krewstown| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros)
Uncommon to common; forest clearings, roads, swamps
Top Spots: SCEE (Hagy’s Mill Lot)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Emeralds (Corduliidae)
Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps)
Uncommon; slow moving streams and rivers, large ponds
Top Spots: Pennypack Krewstown| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Clubtails (Gomphidae)
Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes)
Uncommon; mud-bottomed lakes and ponds
Top Spots: SCEE (Wind Dance Pond) | Map of iNaturalist Observations

Russet-tipped Clubtail (Stylurus plagiatus)
Rare; slow moving rivers and creeks
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Trail by Darby Creek)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Skimmers (Libellulidae)
Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina)
Common; open lakes and marshes with some emergent vegetation
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Impoundment)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)
Abundant; open ponds, clearings
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR, SCEE, Pleasant Hill Park| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta)
Common; lakes, ponds and forest edges
Top Spots: SCEE (Wind Dance Pond), Concourse Lake| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)
Uncommon; lakes and ponds with vegetation
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Impoundment)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Needham’s Skimmer (Libellula needhami)
Rare; mostly coastal species; lakes, large ponds and marshes
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Impoundment)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
Common; lakes and ponds with emergent vegetation
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Frog Pond), SCEE (Wind Dance Pond)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata)
Common to uncommon; ditches and ponds with emergent vegetation
Top Spots: SCEE (Meadows), John Heinz NWR (Little Boardwalk)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans)
Common; ponds with emergent vegetation, woods
Top Spots: SCEE (Wind Dance Pond, Trails), John Heinz NWR (Trails, Impoundment), Saylor Grove| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
Abundant; ponds, lakes, creeks
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR, SCEE, Pleasant Hill Park, Concourse Lake| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens)
Common; open fields, roads, parking lots
Top Spots: Often seen near cars and parking lots| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea)
Uncommon to common; open habitats, roads and parking lots
Top Spots: Often seen near roads and parking lots, John Heinz NWR| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera)
Common; ponds, streams; often low over water
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Impoundment), Pleasant Hill Park (Fish Hatchery Pond), Concourse Lake| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Abundant; lakes, ponds, streams
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Impoundment, trails), SCEE (Wind Dance Pond), Pleasant Hill Park, Concourse Lake| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Blue-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum ambiguum)
Uncommon to common some years; woodland ponds
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Frog Pond)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)
Uncommon to common; ponds and lakes with vegetation; late season
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Impoundment)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Carolina Saddlebags (Tramea carolina)
Fairly common; open and marshy ponds, lakes with vegetation
Top Spots: SCEE (Wind Dance Pond), John Heinz NWR (Impoundment)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerataipes)
Common; open lakes and ponds with vegetation
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Impoundment), SCEE (Wind Dance Pond)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Broad-winged Damselflies (Calopterygidae)
Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)
Common; slow, shady woodland streams
Top Spots: Pennypack Krewstown, Wissahickon Creek| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Pond Damsels (Coenagrionidae)
Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalisa)
Common; rivers, streams, and creeks
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (trails by creek), Pennypack Krewstown| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta)
Uncommon; streams and rivers
Top Spots: Pennypack Krewstown, Wissahickon Creek| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Dusky Dancer (Argia translata)
Uncommon; Slow-flowing rocky or sandy streams
Top Spots: Pennypack Krewstown| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Azure Bluet (Enallagma aspersum)
Common; ponds with emergent vegetation
Top Spots: SCEE (Wind Dance Pond, Trails), Roxborough Reservoir, John Heinz NWR (Frog Pond)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile)
Common; lakes, ponds, and sometimes streams
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR, SCEE, Concourse Lake| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Big Bluet (Enallagma durum)
Uncommon; large ponds and rivers
Top Spots: Pleasant Hill Park (Boat Launch)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Stream Bluet (Enallagma exsulans)
Common; vegetated streams and creeks
Top Spots: Pennypack Krewstown, Wissahickon Creek| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum)
Common; ponds; flies in afternoon
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Impoundment), SCEE (Wind Dance Pond), Pleasant Hill Park (Fish Hatchery Pond)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Slender Bluet (Enallagma traviatum)
Uncommon; vegetated or open ponds
Top Spots: Pleasant Hill Park (Fish Hatchery Pond)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita)
Abundant; found low in vegetation on or near ponds, ditches, lakes
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR, SCEE, Pleasant Hill Park| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Rambur’s Forktail (Ischnura ramburii)
Uncommon; lakes, ponds, ditches with vegetation
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR (Trails near Garden)| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis)
Abundant; lakes, ponds and ditches with emergent vegetation
Top Spots: John Heinz NWR, SCEE, Pleasant Hill Park| Map of iNaturalist Observations

Spreadwings (Lestidae)
Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis)
Uncommon; lakes, ponds and streams with emergent vegetation
Top Spots: Roxborough Reservoir, SCEE| Map of iNaturalist Observations
