After more than a decade since the last Dragonfly institute was held, the Athol Bird & Nature Club is pleased to announce the 2014 Dragonfly Institute will be held at the Millers River Environmental Center (100 Main Street in Athol) beginning May 31st 2014. The class, coordinated by Athol Bird and Nature Club president Dave Small in cooperation with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, will feature some of New England’s premier naturalists who will share their knowledge and enthusiasm for odonates. (Note: due to the late spring we will not begin the classes until May 31st)
Curriculum for the class will focus on the basics of dragonfly identification, but will also include discussions of dragonflies as indicators of environmental health, documentation of rare and unusual species, and dragonfly life history and behavior. The goal of the course is to provide the participant with the basic skills of odonate identification providing a solid base for the continued study and enjoyment of these amazing creatures.
Class lectures will be held at the Millers River Environmental Center 100 Main Street in Athol. Directions may be found on the web at http://www.atholbirdclub.org. Lectures will be on Saturday from 9:00 to 10:00 AM and will include visual presentations, viewing of prepared specimens and discussion.
Field trips will meet at the Center following the lecture. Each trip will focus on a limited number of habitats within or near the Millers River Watershed. Participants should be prepared to wade in streams, ponds or other wet habitats. Hip boots or waders may be needed for early trips in cold river water and sandals may be useful in the warmer season. Precautions should be made to protect the participant from biting insects and other vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.
Fee $5.00 for non ABNC Members – Free to ABNC Members
Lecture and Field trip Dates will be Saturdays:
May 31st, Early flying Odonates and NHESP Dave Small and Lynn Harper 9:00 AM
June 7th , Dragonflies for Families Rachel Roberts 10:30 am – Noon
River odonates (Field trip only) Dave Small 1:00 PM
June 21st, Josh Rose 9:00 AM
July 12th. Photographing Odonates Frank Gorga 9:00 AM (see his beautiful image below.)
