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The North Coast Odonata Survey, (NCOS), has been initiated to accumulate data on the distribution and abundance of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) in Northern Ohio. Funded at this time by Lou Gardella, the Survey is intended as a long-term project. Ten counties are covered by the NCOS and they are: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Summit and Trumbull.
The Ohio Odonata Survey (Society) has collected voucher specimens throughout the state for the past 10 years. Were the voucher specimens breeding at the collection site, or just using the site for feeding? This is one of the questions that NCOS is attempting to answer by establishing which sites are being used for breeding, the species, and the abundance (total number of individuals) of that species at each site. As a volunteer, you will select the survey site and routinely survey it for the season (May through November). The time commitment is up to the volunteer, but we suggest that the site be visited no less than every two weeks. Odonata are not early risers, so late morning or early afternoon is generally the best times of day.
A Survey Manual has been developed to familiarize you with Odonata terms, common names, the survey areas, and provide you with surveying instructions and input forms. This manual is available in PDF format at the top of this page or by contacting North Coast Odonata.
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Two basic forms have been developed for the North Coast Odonata Survey: the Site Description Form and the Site Visit Form. These forms are necessary to provide the data to NCOS and are available in this section of the site as PDF's for printing or can also be electronically submitted online. The Site Description Form contains site code, site name, volunteer and location information, site type, water movement, clarity, bank margin, water and shore plants, surroundings and human influence. This form is filled out only once unless the site has a major change, (fire, damming, development etc.). The second form, the Site Visit Form contains volunteer and location information, temperature, cloud cover, species observed and the number of individuals of that species. This form is filled out for each visit to that site.
North Coast Odonata – OhioOdonata.com is the Website for NCOS and in the future will have articles, sightings and photographs from NCOS volunteers. Survey information, species lists by county, and information about North Coast Odonata is currently provided on this site.
If you are interested in participating in the North Coast Odonata Survey contact Lou or call 216 475-4865. Lou can assist you with selecting and documenting a site, and determining how to begin.
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