NH Dragonfly Survey
Are you interested in dragonflies and damselflies?
Do you know where to look to find them?
Would you like to learn how to identify both common and rare dragonflies and damselflies?
Dragonfly Survey volunteers come in all sizes!
Won't you join us, too?
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Scientists in New Hampshire are working on a project to increase our understanding of the conservation issues affecting these fascinating insects, and you can help!
The NH Dragonfly Survey started in 2007 as a partnership of NH Audubon, NH Fish and Game, and UNH Cooperative Extension. Its goal is to gain a better understanding of the distribution of dragonfly species of conservation concern in New Hampshire. Volunteers can participate by attending an introductory workshop which will train amateur citizen scientists (that's you!) to collect data at priority habitats and poorly surveyed parts of the state.
Workshop participants will learn basic dragonfly biology, issues in dragonfly conservation, and the project's goals and survey protocols. Weather permitting, the workshop will include some time in the field to learn capture and identification techniques. For participants who wish to continue into the data collection phase, follow-up workshops conducted entirely in the field will occur in June and July. Participation in the first workshop session is required to attend the later field trips (at no further cost).
Workshops are offered each spring in various locations in the state, depending on where the survey will be concentrating its efforts. For 2007, the survey was conducted in the Merrimack Rive Watershed with other southeastern peatlands also included. For 2008, we expanded to the Ossipee Region and the Southwest. The 2009 season trainings will take place in Concord, Hebron, and Pinkham Notch - click here for info!
To volunteer for the NH Dragonfly Survey (and sign up for a training session), contact Pam Hunt at NH Audubon, (603) 224-9909 or phunt@nhaudubon.org.
Click here for information on the 2009 volunteer training sessions (PDF, 291 KB)
Checklist of Dragonflies and Damselflies of NH (PDF, 95 KB)
Dragonhunter newsletter (named for one of the largest dragonflies) - click to download an issue:
NHDS Volunteers: Download forms and manuals here
| Fun in the field... |
The lovely elfin skimmer - one of the many dragonflies you may see in the wilds of NH!
A group of Dragonfly Survey volunteers learns how to hunt dragons on the Souhegan.
A cobra clubtail emerges from its larval skin (exuvia). Volunteers can collect these for identification.
Common whitetails can be seen along forest trails as well as near ponds.
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Dragonfly Survey volunteer Kamal Nath admires a skimmer he found in Effingham.
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