Dragonflying: The new birding

Some of the rising stars in the ecotourism world call the Rio Grande Valley home.

Martin Hagne, executive director of the Valley Nature Center in Weslaco said 93 different species of dragonflies and damselflies can be found in South Texas.

"We have tropical species that aren't found anywhere else in the United States," Hagne said.

Like the birds and butterflies, the winged migrants get their chance to shine as the 9th annual Dragonfly Days kicks off Saturday at VNC with Family Nature Days. It continues Thursday through May 18 with a series of seminars and field trips.

Hagne said Saturday's activities kick off at 10 a.m. and are geared toward children.

There are several arts projects planned as well as nature walks for the younger set. Several nature challenges will add a spice of competition and fun to the learning process.

Admission to Family Nature Day costs $3 per child. Adults are admitted free if accompanied by a child.

Hagne said South Texas is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the United States.

The seminars starting Thursday are geared toward adults who want to learn how to tell a skimmer from a glider, and understand how these insects play a vital role in maintaining a healthy environment.

"This is an opportunity for people to discover a new passion and rediscover the Lower Rio Grande Valley, where one third of the total Texas population of dragonflies can be found," Jennifer Owen-White, Estero Llano Grande State Park natural resource specialist said in a statement.

White said most of the events will be held at the event's host hotel, the Holiday Inn Express.

Organizers say visitors should make sure to bring binoculars, sturdy shoes and protection from the sun.

For more details about Dragonfly Days and the Dragonfly Family Nature Day, call (956) 969-2475 or e-mail info@valleynaturecenter.org.

Pre-registration is required for all seminars, field trips and the banquet. More information can also be found on the Valley Nature Center's Web page.

Schedule
Pre-registration is required for all seminars, field trips, and the banquet

Thursday
6 a.m. - noon A morning with Bob Behrstock at Santa Ana NWR - birds, butterflies, odonates.
6 p.m. - 7 p.m. seminar: Bob Behrstock - Dragonflies 101

May 17
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. field trips to Valley locations
2:45 p.m. - 3 p.m. daily list call of what was observed on the field trips (seminar room)
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. seminar - Martin Reid - "Dragon hunting: how amateur oders can make exciting discoveries"
4 p.m. - 5 p.m. seminar - Mathew Terry - "Dragonfly development: from egg to nymph"
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Banquet and Keynote Presentation - Tim Manolis - "Dragonflies around the world"

May 18
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Field trips to Valley Locations
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
2:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Snacks served at the VNC 2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Daily List Call at VNC of what was observed on the field trips (Seminar Room)
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Seminar - Ro Wauer - "Natural Superlatives of the Tex-Mex Border"
4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Seminar - Terry Fuller - Backyard Dragonfly Habitat and Rarities in Cameron County"
5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Seminar - Joshua Rose - "Close but No Cigar: Insects that Look and Act Like Odes but Aren't"