August saw me returning back to Sandwich Bay to carry out some more survey work with the warden and making the most of the excellent variety of species that can be found here. I think i'm right in saying that Sandwich Bay hosts more species on site than any other site in the UK. I spent a few days wandering the area where I was able to find up to 17 Southern Migrant Hawkers including the first female and mating pair seen in the area. I spent quite a while stalking various individuals where I was able to take a number of pleasing images. It was a little harder to photograph a mating pair but with some patience and searching, I was at last rewarded with a couple of mating pairs including a pair which showed well under a leaf. Despite the lack of light, I was able to move into a better position and took a few images.
Also on the same day, I was able to survey for the rare Southern Emerald Damselfly of which we found a few around a dried up pool in the company of a Southern Migrant Hawker (not a bad combination to get together!) They blended in well with the dark surroundings which made them hard to find but with some patience, I found a few to photograph. They are quite a stunning species and hopefully they will continue to thrive and expand in the area.
The rest of August was spent at Nethergong during the weekends where I enjoyed studying and photographing Willow Emerald Damselflies and Migrant Hawkers. With the autumn leaves starting to colour up, it was nice to spend a few afternoons in the sunshine trying to capture photos of both iconic autumn species. Plenty of searching endured and I was rewarded with a number of opportunities to capture some nice shots.
October was quite mild and the Willow Emerald Damselflies continued to fly and made for some nice autumnal shots and unbelievably, a few were still flying into the second week of November.
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| Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - mating pair |
How long until we have a December record in the future? It's been an eventful year to say the least. I didn't get out a much as I would have liked but still managed to see and photograph a good range of species. The undoubted highlight has to be the Dainty Damselflies which were a new species for me but to see them in such good numbers and obtain some lovely images has to be the icing on the cake. I hope that some of my photos have produced some good memories of the year and my next post will showcase my top 3 images of the year. I keep looking over them and am still undecided but I suspect a Dainty image will have to be in there at some point.
Best of the dragonflies, the top of the top is Southern Migrant Hawker, fantastic.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. Hopefully we will all to be able to get out a little more next year. Take care.
DeleteHi Marc,
ReplyDeleteIt has been a tough year with all the restrictions. I think you did better than most, especially me. Stay safe.
Mike.
It certainly has been testing but relieved to have made a few memories with the camera. Hopefully next year will be a little easier... won't it? Take care Mike.
DeleteThank you for brightening my day with your wonderful images, Marc, and for reminding me that there's plenty to look forward to next year. Given that I have never seen two out of the four species you show here, you've also reminded me that there's a lot more for me to discover too, so hopefully it will be somewhat easier to travel next year. With luck, I might get a Kent visit in?!
ReplyDeleteTake great care and stay safe - - - Richard
Many thanks for your kind words Richard. They always lift me up. Hopefully you will be able to get out more next year and if you visit Kent, I will be happy to show you a few places. Take care.
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