Hampshire Dragonflies

22/09/2024

A great week of sunshine at the pond.

As well as the Willow Emerald there were a few Common Blue damselflies still on the wing, dozens of Common Darter, a couple of resident Southern and plenty of Migrant Hawker, including several mating pairs

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - pair in-cop

21/09/2024

Following on from the previous post here's a couple of shots from Thursday.

They were incredibly difficult to photograph due to their position and the breezy conditions, but I persevered and waited for them to revolve around the branch.

Although the male was always in shadow the female was perfectly highlighted as she laid her eggs; the the results of which you can see from the extensive scarring of the branch.

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - pair in-tandem ovipositing.

19/09/2024

You Know The Drill 😎

I spent 40 minutes tangled in a Sallow this afternoon observing a tandem pair of Willow Emeralds.

The male remained attached while the female meticulously circled the branch seeking out the best spots to drill into the bark and lay an egg.

I have no idea how long they'd already been there or how long after I moved on, but I have to admire the patience of the male while the female led the way.

Such dedication and a marvel to witness. I'm looking through the results now, but in the meantime here's a pair from Tuesday.

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - ovipositing pair in tandem.

18/09/2024

21 today 😁

I did have another image from yesterday which I planned to post today, however I had a surprise this afternoon with the 21st species found at the pond in the two years I've been visiting.

And what a nice surprise it was 😎

Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) - male

17/09/2024

I've been trying to take long local walks everyday in an effort to get fit again after this year's inconveniences, foregoing the wellies in lieu of more sensible footwear for concrete.

My route has to include the pond though - just in case there's a delight beyond the usual Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers. Reasonable quantities of Willow Emerald are a delight, but yesterday I got to engage with my favourite hawker.

Through a gap in the willow this fellow put on the perfect show to allow me an indulgence, and put huge smile on my face for the rest of the day.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - male on patrol

01/09/2024

20!!!

Managed to drag myself out to the pond for an hour this afternoon and was glad that I did so. Banded Demoiselle brings the site species list to 20! Not just a one-off either - 6 seen, all male.

Plenty of Commn Darter, a few Migrant Hawker, a male Southern Hawker, a male and female Emperor and a grand total of 8 Willow Emerald - including a mating pair. My first ever, I think - and a good omen for the future.

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - pair in-cop

18/08/2024

An early afternoon trip to the local pond produced Black-tailed and Keeled Skimmer, Common and Ruddy Darter, Emperor, Migrant Hawker, Blue-tailed, Azure and Common Blue, a mating pair of Small Red, a mating pair of Scarce Blue-tailed and a male and female Willow Emerald 😎

That's two years in a row, and a month earlier for the latter. I couldn't pin down the female, but the male gave me good study!

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - male

17/08/2024

Nice to see reasonable numbers of Beautiful Demoiselle still on the wing

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) - female

14/08/2024

There was a time when the sight of another Common Darter would bore me to tears, but with the limited opportunities avaiable to me this season every Odo opportunity is a bonus.

Besides, they do make for a rather wonderful photo 🙂

Common Darter ((Sympetrum striolatum) - immature male

11/08/2024

If it isn't dismally throwing down rain by the bucketful it's searing heat - neither conducive to a good dragonfly day. I managed an hour at the local pond before the heat got the better of me 😔

I wasn't expecting much but I did see more Ruddy and Small Red - new at my last visit. The focus today was Small Red-eyed, and although few and far between - probably sheltering rather than sweltering - the first individuals I came across were the worse for wear, having been snagged in a spider's web.

The female had unfortunately snuffed it and was providing a meal for an opportunistic Azure. The male I managed to rescue.

Now there are those who say let nature take its course, and in most cases I agree. This male could be saved, so I did intervene. and handed him to Sue for the intricate removal of risidual web.

Thankfully he flew away quite happily.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum) - male prior to rescue.

28/07/2024

It's been over a month since I last ventured out. I've been in post-op recovery, so even if we did have a summer I wouldn't have been able to fully appreciate it!

I'm finally getting back to fitness now so a beautiful day was the ideal opportunity to take it steady and take a look at the local pond. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it was enough to be out under the sun again.

Plenty of Black-tailed Skimmers, a few Emperor, a few Common Darters and a couple of Keeled Skimmers along with the inevitable Blue-tailed, Azure and Common Blue.

Then the reward! A couple of new species to add to the pond's count. Ruddy Darter and (surprisingly) Small Red bring the pond's total to 19 species!

Worth a visit then 🙂

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) - male and Small Red Damselfly ((Ceriagrion tenellum) - male

28/06/2024

I've lost count of the amount of Keeled Skimmer pairings I've witnessed over the years.

Notoriously nervous & flighty, and when they finally do settle it's inevitabely in the most unflattering of places.

Still, that's what you get for chasing them down or trying too hard. Best to just ignore them and fix your gaze on something else...and look over you shoulder just in case 🙂

Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) - pair in-cop

26/06/2024

Missing four to six weeks right in the middle of the season meant I was in danger of missing out on one of my favourite dragonflies.

Thankfully my recovery is moving on at a rapid pace to which I could chance an hour or two in the New Forest yesterday.

I didn't have to wait long for my first encounter, and there were enough individuals to keep me satisfied allow me a chance at getting a shot or two.

Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) - male

09/06/2024

Nice to see these at the pond again; a reminder that the area used to be lowland heath before being swallowed up by urban sprawl...

Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) - male

02/06/2024

I went out to the local pond early the other day and the only species braving the cool temperatures were the Blue-tailed and Common Blue. Hardy little fellows...

Blue-tailed damselfly (Ischnura elegans) - female violacea form

31/05/2024

I had a chance to connect with the Downy at Bentley Wood last Sunday -always a Spring treat and a great way to get the season started.

I came home with too many last season and couldn't pick any to post. This year I've decided on two - one which I refer and one which Sue prefers.

Which do you prefer?

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea)

27/05/2024

The forecast was for rain, so I looked out the window and wondered why the sun was shining. Bit windy, granted, but rain? You lying toe-rags!

Anyway, Sue had to pop out to do a bit of shopping so I asked her to drop me at the pond. Yep - sun was out here too!

About a dozen fresh Black-tailed Skimmers rising from the pond and flying out of reach, however closer to shore ws a green femal Scarce Blue-tailed and a few immature males.

A little more detective work and I spotted the unmistakeable glint of orange in the grass. Just before the clouds came in.

Result! Not bad for a rainy day

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) - immature female aurantiaca phase

26/05/2024

I needed a Downy fix yesterday and wasn't disappointed. Well over a dozen males patrolling and over a dozen pairings - every single one of them disappearing on approach!

Also pleased to see quite a few Hairy Hawkers - more than previous years, a couple of male Emperors and the usual Four-spotted and Broad-bodied Chasers.

The most surprising sightings were the first ever Banded Demoiselle on a strean in the woods and some freshly-emerged Common and Ruddy Darter. Well early!

I'll post a Downy later but for now here's one of the Common Darters.

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) - teneral female

23/05/2024

I took my first walk to the local pond a couple of days ago and was pleased to finally report - after 2 years - the first Four-spotted Chaser!

I can't beleive they've waited this long to put in an appearance, considering they're established half a mile away.

That brings the total species up to 17 😎

Talking of waiting, I had to wait an hour or so before the BBC's decided to make an appearance. Nice to see a little colour about the place 😊

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) - immature male

21/05/2024

Territorial behaviour or just antagonistic?

I'm more than used to battling Chasers or unsociable Skimmers chasing Golden-ringed from theie resting place.

Common Blue damselflies disturbng female Emperors ovipositing and as recent as yesterday watching a male Azure pestering a mating pair of Blue-tailed among the grass.

First time I've witnessed a Four-spotted Chaser being knocked off its perch by a Ladybird...

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) and friend?

19/05/2024

Sometimes they just don''t offer themselves up for a decent opportunity, so you have to capture what you can. Unsurprisingly numb from the nettles later that evening 😁

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) - female

15/05/2024

Happy New Season to everyone. After a rather fraught start to this year I finally got some sunshine on Saturday and a good selection to start the season, including this rather gorgeous FSC

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) - female

22/12/2023

10/10/2023

I haven't ventured out in search of dragonflies during October for quite a few years now; the original reason being a lack of returns and repetition with just Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers being on the wing.

Thankfully now there is a third species on the wing with Willow Emerals being present in many places throughout the south of England.

An unexpected upturn in the weather begged me to get my boots on for a late look at the local pond, and although I didn't encounter any Willow Emeralds I was amazed at the amount of Common Darters - at least a two dozen in-cop and another two dozen single male.

There were also a dozen Migrant Hawker on the wing, one allowing a late-season chance to grab a shot.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male on patrol

10/09/2023

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - male on patrol