What I learned today 1

Cortinarius evernius exists.

Post more.cortinarius.jpg

ööö

21.59

Learn.

A mushroom knife, microscope and a petri dish went on a walk...

It's the end of summer. I am currently sitting at a VR Pendolino train, heading from Helsinki towards Oulu. At Oulu, a quick change to a fast train towards Tervola. I am going to participate in the 7th Advanced Fungus Identification Course. So, let's learn to know all the mushrooms - agaricales, Basidiomycota and Ascomyceta.

It's been difficult to write about nature during the summer. The explanation is simple: since the mid-May to yesterday, I worked almost full-time as a nature surveyor. There's not much chance to write about stuff that is trivial in one's life. "Today I surveyed forest types in Kirkkonummi. Found all kinds of nice things."

There's a clause in many consulting contracts that specifies that in the case of something interesting is found, the client should be informed first and a permission should be obtained if you want to talk to anyone about it - a standard non-disclosure agreement. Obviously, this does not work among the tightly-knit community of nature surveyors, who all know each other. And you cannot but meet people in the field. But from a theoretical point of view, the results of a contract are subject to NDA until an official report has been released.

This is all practically irrelevant. The basic gist of the rule goes that you cannot go around and tell everyone everything. It kinda sucks, but is understandable. After all, all I do for work is to collect and represent enviromental data to be used in political process. Dozens of hours condensend into one or two sentences, plain maps and bold, sometimes almost outrageous comments.

I love my job. After all, I get paid for doing what I like to do: go in different places and watch organisms in there. But it does get kinda stale, since it's a business venture. I have no idea how many boring, unsurprising bird survey trips to useless places I drove to this year. For what? Now I know the theoretical density of Wood Warblers in the urban broad-leaved forests of Southern Coast of Finland. Yay, I guess?

So, getting back at the field with the ecologists is great. I don't have to think if an engineer would understand my phrase nor am I time-limited. I get to listen to experts and specialists doing their thing and maybe learn a thing or two. It also means I can just put on my rubber boots and identify all kinds of stupid shit.

Butterfly bar

It's never too late to establish a butterfly bar. Actually insect bar would be a better name, since the stuff seems to attract also Hymenoptera (wasps, ants), Diptera (flies, male mosquitoes) and even longhorn beetles.

Here's the ingredients for what I use:
- 1 bottle (or more) of cheapest red wine
- about 1/5th balsamic winegar
- looots of sugar, preferably brown
- a packet of yeast (lots of this is a plus)
- all kinds of easily-fermenting stuff you can find (old fruits, white wine, beer etc.)

Mix them in a bowl, let stay for 2-3 days. When the fluid smells horrible, it's ready!

Bar can be established in several ways. I usually use dishcloth pieces, that can be left hanging on a branch and can be easily collected.

Apatura ilia

Apatura ilia, Espoo, 19.7.2012

Apatura ilia was a rare butterfly in Finland in early- to mid-2000s. First recorded in 2000, the species slowly grew more common, until after 2007 the influxes (also in 2009 and 2010) gave it a foothold on the southern coast of Finland. In Western Nyland (Uusimaa) region the ilia has displaced Apatura iris as the more common of the two. I saw my first iris in 2008 or -09, and my first ilia in 2010. Now I have seen five ilias in the span of two days. The species seems to have become established in the Helsinki region.

Identification is quite straightforward and easy. Large, dark and white-marked butterfly, with a yellow proboscis, distinct blue hue if seen well, rufous-white underparts and eyespots on the top of each wing (iris only has eyespots on the hindwing). Limenitis populi is larger, darker, without the blue hue or eyespots, and has a row of orange spots in the rear hindwing.

Larva lives on Salix caprea and other willows Salix spp., as well as Populus spp. (poplars and aspen). Favours forest edges, and flies relatively high. Often lands on bare soil, where it feeds on minerals; also likes trap liquids and rotten organic matter (feces, urea, carcasses etc.)

Helophilus (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Helophilus cf. pendulus, Helsinki 10.7.2012

I think this is H.pendulus, based on the leg markings. Beautiful, and very common too.

Lestidae of Finland: Lestes sponsa

Lestes sponsa, f, Helsinki 10.7.2012

Lestidae of Finland consists of four species that fall in two genera: 3 species in genus Lestes and one species in genus Sympecma. Out of these, the most common species by far is the Common Spreadwing/Emerald Damselfly, sirokeijukorento, allmän smaragdflickslända, Lestes sponsa (Hansemann 1823). The Lestidae are a sister group to all other damseflies (Zygoptera), and their internal taxonomy seems a bit freaky (Dijkstra & Kalkman 2012).

Ubiquitous and common, sponsa ranges from South Coast to Lapland and from Ilomantsi to the West Coast. It is also the most common Lestes in most of Europe, and one of the most common Odonata species in the northern Europe. It lives in all kinds of lentic waters and slow-flowing rivers, only missing from some oligotrophic and/or large lakes. It is an autumn species, with emergence beginning in late June; last fliers are usually seen in September.

Sponsas can be very numerous, and congregations of hundreds and thousands are not rare. They often oviposit in groups. Large numbers can be seen around small, fish-empty and sometimes ephemeral pools and ponds, especially those with rich vegetation, such as Typha stands.

Identification of Lestes sensu lato in field is quite straightforward. Metallic, green gloss, spread wings and goofy jizz usually make identfication straightforward. Species identification can be bit more challenging. Hand charasteristics include five-cornered wing cells somewhere and other relatively useless features. Just look at it! European Odonata are easy.

Sponsa is usually identified by the combination of following features:
1) Very common. Although not a basis for identification, about 95 - 99 % of Lestes individuals in Finland are sponsa. Maybe even more. So you start with the assumption that it is probably sponsa.
2) Females: pale antehumeral stripes (cf. Lestes dryas). Dark back of the head (cf. Lestes virens). Dark pterostigma (cf. virens). There is a lone dark spot at the base of the first pair of legs. The ovipositor's size is useful, if one has experience, but I would caution against using it as a primary means of identification if you are a novice with sponsa/dryas -pair!
3) Males: young look like female sponsa. Adults have no metallic sheen on the S2, instead the entire segment is pruinose (cf. dryas). Back of the head is dark and pterostigma dark (cf. virens). Males' lower appendages are relatively straight, not strongly curved towards each other. Be careful with young sponsa males, where their pruinosity is not yet fully developed and they can thus resemble dryas!

Dryas is scarce, virens is a vagrant, and our fourth Lestid, Sympecma paedisca, resembles Enallagma more than a lestid. More of them later.

References:
Dijkstra, K.-D. B., Kalkman, V. J. 2012: Phylogeny, classification and taxonomy of European
dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata): a review. - Organisms Diversity and Evolution (in press) Link

Musk Beetle Aromia moschata

Big.

Pernaja Hamnskär 4.7.2012

Razorbill (Alca torda) was common. Pernaja, FIN

Guillemots are weird.

Razorbills came to check us out. We're already leaving!

Went to Pernaja to see something. Dozens of Common Murres (Uria aalge) were obviously the best observation. There are only two permanent colonies in Finland: One in Åland, one near Aspskär. Aspskär's colony has been growing steadily and now numbers over 200 nesting Murres; the colony is spreading to nearby skärs known as Skarven (Swedish for Cormorant). Weather was superb.

Bird counting, summary

Sorry for not updating for a while. Been busy with work - counting birds and butterflies and dragonflies. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides and Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva have been common this year. Phydes has been so numerous that it doesn't take any great forest for one to settle down. Best day was maybe 11exx!

Capercailie seems to be more common than I thought in Sipoonkorpi. Today I found a flock of chicks, so pretty!

Dragonfly scene is going slow. Saw a Scarce Blue-tail Ischnura pumilio in Vuosaari a couple of days ago.

Staphylinus ceasereus

Big. Looks aggressive.

Prometheus and retarded biology

"Oh my God. Their [Engineer aliens'] DNA is a 100 % match to ours [humans']!"

And what do the Engineers look like?

Three meters tall, bald white-skinned superaryans with pitch-black eyes and superhuman strength.

Genotype plasticity only goes so far. I call space wizardry. Why try to make it scientific if it's retarded? Why say 3 % concentration of CO2 will kill in two minutes, wheb it has been proven on Earth that it doesn't? gaah

21.5.2012 - Glossy Ibis

Went to twitch a Glossy Ibis. Alone. Bird was ugly. No company. Still, krys!

17.5. Collared Flycatcher, Steppe Eagle

Yes, so I skipped work today - weather forecast promised heavy rains to Inkoo. So I went twitching.

My first target was a Viikki tick - a male Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) that had been present since the 13th. Bird was easy to see and hear, it kept singing all the time. On my way back I also heard a Red-Breasted Flycatcher (F. parva), giving me full flycatchers for the day.

From Kotka I picked up Antto. We headed for Virolahti to twitch the Steppe Eagle. Near Virojoki we got a message: A Lesser Spotted Eagle, coming towards us from Lakakallio. Waited for about 20 minutes, didn't see. Who cares!

Nipa just... sat in a tree. Watched it for a while, then got bored and drove to Linnunlahti (across the bay). Nipa made a short aerial show for us. A male Garganey was nice.

We drove to Teboil to fill the tank. Antto bought a roiskeläppä. Thought about trying to twitch a Montagu's Harrier, but skipped. Drove to Hamina, tried to see if the previously seen Blue-Winged Teal was present. Wasn't. At Lupinlahti we heard a Bittern and three Great Reed Warblers. Drove home.

Krys!

16.5.2012 bird counting

Counting birds for job is both fun and challenging. A relatively wide field of expertise is required, preparing work must be done in advance, and still relatively lot is - unfortunately - left for chance: how early have the Blackcaps arrived? Is there a motorcycle meeting nearby? Will it rain? How late do we get the necessary information, including maps? What should the focus be?

Today I counted birds at Espoo, Mankkaa. Weather was excellent: +8 degrees C, still and not a cloud in sight. Thrush Nightingales were really going at it when I arrived. The place: a nice, urban deciduous forest. Some relatively old trees, e.g. White Willows (Salix alba) and alders. Nice findings: two Little Spotted Woodpeckers - a really good species in this kind of work! - and a Hawfinch nest! Hawfinch nest was the first I had every found, although I have lived practically in the middle of a sparse Hawfinch colony. Nice! Left work pretty early. Happy with the day. Didn't take a single picture!

15.5.20212 Black-Necked Grebe and Terek Sandpiper

Finland's 31st Black-Necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) had been present since 10th May at Kouvola. So seeing as I had finally returned my bachelor's thesis, it was time for to twitch!

Leaving Joensuu only at 1pm, I drove through Kitee towards Parikkala. An American Wigeon had been seen at Parikkala's Pohjaranta, last seen 13th May. It wasn't present when I got there, although I had already seen Honey Buzzards and a Cuckoo, yearticks for me. At Pohjanranta there were about 5000 Barnacle Geese as well, stopping on their way to Siberia.

At Parikkala I received a call from Antto, who told me that a Steppe Eagle was present at Virolahti, Vilkkiläntura. At this point I made a mistake - perhaps - and prioritized Kouvola's BNG over the eagle. So, I drove to Kouvola.

It was late spring in Kouvola. An Hortolan Bunting, a Wryneck, Sedge Warbler and Common Rosefinch. Walking towards the levee road, I suddenly heard a voice that was familiar, yet unknown. One second of frantic thinking while the call seemed to approach and then I got it: Terek Sandpiper, my first spontaneous and second ever! Woohoo! The bird fell to a flooded field and disappeared. Happy, I called Antto who told me that the bird had already been seen a few days earlier. Scheisse! Well, nevermind, it was still nice and I count it as semi-spontaneous! After that, the real star of the place, Black-Necked Grebe, seemed kinda dull.

Black-necked Grebe is a rare vagrant to Finland: before spring 2012, only 27 had been recorded, previous two in 2011 and 2008. However, there was a small influx this year: birds at Mäntsälä, Jalasjärvi, Siikajoki, Kouvola and Ylivieska.

After this I decided that I had not driven enough, so I headed for Virolahti's Vilkkiläntura. Didn't see the Steppe Eagle, which was ominously "not present at the same tree it had been sitting for the entire day." Left at 9pm, started talking to phone, and at 9:42pm noticed a SMS sent at 9:24: "The bird is not visible from Tura, but can be seen from [nearby] Linnunlahti". Fuck this! Didn't turn around, and the entire debacle left a bit sour taste in my mouth. Vouched for revenge.

8.5. - Penduline Tit

Penduline Tit is a nice bird and, along with Citrine Wagtail, bring me many pleasant memories. The species has had a fluctuating presence in Finland: since 1980s to early 1990s it seemed that the species will finally establish itself on the Southern Coast. However, the invasion failed, and for a couple of years "remiz" was a relatively rare visitor to Viikki. In 2000s, however, the yearly April-May records started to rise, and remiz has been a frequent visitor to Pornaistenniemi, Keinumäki and near the old sewage treatment plant. I saw my first remiz back in 2004, at Pornaistenniemi. At 2010 I found a nest from there as well.

Remiz has interesting mating habits, where both species are practically polygamic. Males hold a large territory around wetlands, especially in areas rich with birch, willows and sometimes alder. The key factor seems to be the presence of mosaic habitat and Typha -plants, which the tit uses for nestbuilding material. The male constructs several elaborate, hanging nests. The females - usually quite a few of them - then inspect the nests, and accept what they will. Then a male and female will finish the nest together. Surprisingly, the female can lay eggs into several nests and one or both parents can abandon the nest, seemingly at will. Therefore an abandoned nesting attempt at one location isn't really that dramatic.

This spring there was an influx of Pendulines, and at least three individuals were recorded together. Therefore, my trip at 8th May was not spontaneous at all, but gave results: the first thing I saw was a Penduline Tit. It flew over me, towards Pornaistenniemi, and vanished. Classic!

7.5. Citrine Wagtails and Marsh Sandpiper (HE, Viikki)

After horrible Sunday, the Monday was more than good. Called Aki in the afternoon, and we decided to take a short trip for old time's sake. It was a good idea.

At the Pornaistenniemi-Lammassaari duckboards we first heard and saw one male Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola), "sittis", that was suddenly replaced by another one. Nice!
Back in the day - in early 2000s - the age identification of Citrines was relatively straightforward: if the male had greyish colouration on the top of the head, it was 2cy. +2cy birds were and are supposed to have completely lemon-yellow top of the head. However, the "bush wisdom" right now is that said cue is perhaps not good enough. From what I saw I can certainly say that both males had a greyish wing, with no old remiges.

Citrine Wagtail was a rarity back in late 1990s, but numbers have skyrocketed since then. Tarsiger.com doesn't even bother to calculate the numbers, and neither can I; the pretty Siberian wagtail is now a yearly visitor and regular breeder in Southern Finland. Seeing one at Viikki is even less surprising. Me and Aki calculcated that the sum of Citrines in Viikki that day was at least 5 individuals.

In Lammassaari we twitched 2/2 Garganeys (Anas querquedula), a couple of Sand Martins (Riparia riparia) and most importantly, a Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis), a relatively uncommon, but almost yearly visitor to Finland.

On our trip back the two males Citrines were accompanied by a female, which is at a high probability the same female Jarkko photographed two days later (Tarsiger.com). We also calculated about 140 Wood Sandpipers (Tringa glareola) going north.

5.5. Lesser Short-Toed Lark

Woke up early in the morning to go to participate in annual birdwatching tower competition. Absolutely horrible weather (cold spell turned to rain and sleet, eugh), combined with only two participants and me still having a cold resulted in us quitting after a miserly 5 hours. Managed to get 68 species, though, which indicated a good birding day. If only we had had more guts (and waterproof clothing, and something warm to drink, and more visitors)... 174 Little Gulls Hydrocoloeus minutus, Lesser Spotted (Dendrocopus minor) and White-Backed (D. leucotos) Woodpeckers, spring's first Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) and late Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) were probably the best.

Took a train to Helsinki and went twitching (me, Vilppu, Johannes and Jenni). Our target was Finland's 4th Lesser Short-Toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens), present at Loviisa, only less than 100 kilometers east from Helsinki. The bird was first found on Friday evening, and the identification was suitably long and convoluted.  Previous records were from 1962, 1975 (present for a bit over two weeks) and 2004 (present for two days), so this was a chance not to miss. Suffice to say, we saw the bird magnificently. Bird itself wasn't anything to behold, but we got to see the long primary projection, streaked breast, smallish bill and overall very diminutive size (for a lark). Johannes sagely said that it was "one of those birds that don't evoke any feeling when you see them, but not twitching them might make you regret the decision later, so you better twitch". I agree with him. It was, by the way, 327th species for me.

On our way to Loviisa we had seen a nice flooded field, and on our return trip we decided to check it out. It was a good idea. 73 Little Gulls, 56 Greenshanks Tringa nebularia, 79 Ruffs Philomachus pugnax, 61 Spotted Redshanks Tringa erythropus (should really be Black Redshank to make it justice!) and 142 Wood Sandpipers Tringa glareola. We also found a nice female Capercailie (Tetrao urogallus), so overall: one krys! and several yearticks.

No pictures in this update!

27.4. - 2.5. - May Day in archipelago

People simply do not understand how difficult it is to live in the archipelago.

Spent five nights at Rönnskär, off the coast of Kirkkonummi. Didn't see much anything special. Notable:
1 Black Redstart (female), 1 Peregrine Flacon (prob. 2cy), at 2.5. a nice day of grand total of 77 Pied Flycatchers - probably a record day! Spent time watching lichens, falling from bunk beds and other assorted stuff. Will upload pics later.

22.4.2012 Tohmajärvi, Sääperi

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), the jet fighter of the bird fauna

Went to Tohmajärvi, Sääperi today with Karoliina, Ari, Susanna and Santra. The weather was horrible: +12, still, no clouds. Got sunburn, ergo the spring is here.

Early in the morning the sky was dominated by thrushes and finches. Bean Geese, European Golden Plovers, Lapwings, lots of Eurasian Curlews, Green Sandpipers were responsible for the vocal landscape. At 11.20 I spotted a largeish raptor, which was immediately identified as an adult Black Kite. The bird flew lazily westwards. All 9 people in the tower got to see it very well. 

A Peregrine spent parts of the day hunting around Sääperi, harassing gulls and waders. Saw 8 Hen Harriers/CMPs, 8 Opsreys, 2 White-Tailed Eagles, 6 Rough-Legged Buzzards, a number of Sparrowhawks and Common Buzzards, a beautiful male Merlin, some Kestrels, Goshawk and a Western Marsh Harrier. 12 raptor species. Other species included a beautiful male Barn Swallow, Tree Pipits, Whimbrels, Common Greenshanks and Greater White-fronted Geese. A total of 62 species (6 yearticks) in about 7 hours. Didn't really count birds, focused more on just looking at them. The exact numbers may change in the near future.

Common Crane (Grus grus) - no Sandhill yet...

Under the tower there are four Honey Bee hives. The Bees were awake and disturbingly active and curious. They constantly defecated on us - their feces smell weird, kinda like honey and... shit. Tortoiseshells, Archiearis parthenias and Common Brimstones were awake as well. 

On the way home we tried to see if the Ruddy Shelduck had returned to Reijola. It hadn't. Drove back home and slept for two hours. My neck is red. I have an urge to shoot beercans and neighbours. Send help.

19.4.2012 Spring a trap

Woke up at 8am. "Supposed to be outside right now." Iipu knocked on my window. Let him inside. Brewed some coffee and got prepared for some hardcore ice-fishing.

Our first target was the European Nuthatch. Finally we heard the bird. Pretty nice weather, too - sunny and calm. We continued to Natura to pick up the hand auger - only to see someone had taken it. Whereabouts unknown!
Drove to Ukonlahti to try to see the Twites, but only saw about 30 Snow Buntings. Then we went to Varaslampi to try to see how the ice was. Not too well. Drove home and went to Uni for lectures. That's it about ice fishing, I QUIT

At 4pm I decided to pick up Junnu and drive to try to Horned Larks again. Surprisingly, we had about 10 minutes at the rubbish dump before the gates closed, because the damn dump closes at 5pm. No Horned Larks (starting to see a pattern here). A large Common Buzzard, about 15 Mistle Thrushes, a couple dozen Meadow Pipits. Back to Ukonlahti, where we saw 4 Twites, about 130 Snow Buntings and sunk to horrible mud. Our shoes, they so dirty.

We drove to Karsikko and counted some birds: 154 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, incl. 2-3 heuglini-type and several with a back that is a little paler, very dark slate grey, compared to nominate race. 1802 Black-Headed Gulls and 188 Herring Gulls.

The Whooper Swans were tame towards us, cautious towards dogs and very, very aggressive towards each other. Horrible creatures.

18.4.2012 The Gods are not on my side

Wonderful spring weather, JNS-type

Went to rubbish dump this morning with Santra. Grey weather. Cold. Windy. Not too many gulls. Bad vibes. Ugly men honking at us. Left after seeing circa 40 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, but no heuglinis. Only a couple 3-4cy Herrings and one Great Black-Backed Gull.

Tried to twitch the Nuthatch. Didn't see it. A sparrowhawk came to sit on a nearby tree. All birds vanished. At this point we decided going home is probably the best option.

At least the place was ugly.




On other news: Mute Swan kills a man: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/16/kayaker-drowns-swan-attack-anthony-hensley-illinois_n_1428331.html

Biology factor: High. Failure to see birds on a short birding trip certainly qualifies.

Scapa 16yo - first blood

Origin: Orkney, Scotland
Single malt
16 yo

Colour: Middle-tone, golden honey.
Aroma: Fruity, flowery, with a hint of solvent and lilac.
Taste: Strong. The first touch is surprisingly harsh, mellows down soon and becomes very sweet, then turns again and becomes oaky. Very clearly three-peaked. Long aftertaste, with hints of salt.

Overall: Not quite sure, I have to admit. First touch is surprisingly harsh. I suppose this is a whiskey that requires a bit of aeration. Definitely not as characteristic as Talisker or Islays. I will return to this every now and then and see how it fares.

Edit: After a while in the glass, the sharpness is gone and the character is different. The whisky becomes a well-rounded, sweet Highlander, with a small touch of smokiness. It has a bit more of a character and aggressivity than some Speyside malts. Would love to taste this with Glenlivet 18yo.

Biology factor: Below zero. Seriously, single malt scotch whiskys?

Tomorrow to Joensuu municipal dump. Expect horrible gull pics and whining about Heuglinis.

Classic weather

Sleet, 0 degrees C. Changing to rain at noon. Skipping all plans to go outside. According to Junnu the seal hasn't been sighted today. Weather quite unpleasant.

Decided to make Albatrellus ovinus/minced meat steaks and baked potatoes. Years 2010 and 2011 were great mushroom years and I still have some left, so better to use them before next autumn comes. Boletus edulis is excellent, but a bit overused, so I decided to eat some ovinus. It is a ground-growing polypore fungus, which can be very numerous in one year, then unexplainably missing the next year. With a pleasant texture, excellent taste and sometimes excellent harvest, it has been a popular mushroom, but nowhere near Boletus edulis, Craterellus tubaeformis or Cantharellus gibareus. Fungus trips can be rewarding. Free food in the forest.

You need:
- minced meat
- bread crumbs
- cream
- sour cream
- egg
- as much dried and minced Albatrellus ovinus as you feel and can afford (at least 2dl)
- some grated parmesan, a little mustard
- salt, pepper, white pepper, thyme
- baked potatoes

Works like a charm. Steaks have a pleaseant, smooth and peculiar taste, resembling liver.
Difficulty: very easy.
Biology factor: low.

16.4.2012 year has started

Spring has finally come to Finland - although in Joensuu, Eastern Finland we're dragging behind.  Surprising.

Spent the Easter period at Helsinki, Finland. First real birding trip to Åland Rally in 30.3. - 1.4.2012 resulted in 92+1 species (+1 was Ross's Goose, which is at category E so not listable). That gave us a victory and a beautiful Eagle statue I will depict in the future.

Counted my yearticks as well - running at 125spp right now. Missing quite a few easy species, it seems. Counting motivates, though. Thinking about twitching a Nuthatch for the hell of it. Won't aim high, but at least try to collect easy and interesting ones.

Also considering twitching a Saimaa Ringed Seal that has been resting at Savonlinna, about 140 km from Joensuu. Santra, Karoliina and April have said they would be interested. However the weather forecast for Tuesday is abysmal. Probably moving the trip to Wednesday. Hopefully the cub is still there then. World population a bit over 200exx., so p. high on the priority!

edit: Supposed to hold a Dragonfly Seminar for Complete Beginners on Saturday. Probably focus on questions such as "what is a dragonfly", "how do they live and exist" and "how should I start dragonfly watching". Should be interesting.