Back to Westbere Lakes a few days ago for a couple of hours in quite cloudy but bright conditions but still with the very annoying northerly wind. Knowing that a lot would not be flying I made my way up to the river where I hoped to find a few resting dragonflies sheltering out of the wind. It didn't take long for Banded Demoiselles to start to flutter up from the nettles and a few Scarce Chaser were also seen. I quite like a bright cloudy day sometimes as it helps with photography and you tend to get more natural colours rather than burnt out shot sometimes. I was able to find a couple of resting Scarce Chaser that weren't going far and move in quite close with the macro to take a few pleasing images. It was nice to be able to study the fine detail on the wings at close range and not have to panic about it flying off quickly. After a few shots were in the bag I moved off to try to find a few Banded Demoiselle, one of my favourite subjects to photograph. Although cloudy, they were still on high alert and never let me get that close. Perseverance paid off though eventually when I found an individual resting nicely over the pathway at waist height. I was sure it was going to fly off but I was able to move in pretty close and take a few images. They really are stunning and as quick as I had enjoyed the moment, he soon took to the wing and flew off into the reeds. Walking back I saw a few Variable, Azure and Blue tailed Damselflies at rest which was pleasant. Yesterday (Saturday) I led a tour for Kent Wildlife Trust at Oare Marshes to look for the Dainty Damselfly. Although quite sunny in the end and warm, the nagging northerly wind really made us work quite hard. Eventually we did manage to find c6 Dainty Damselfly keeping low in the grasses out of the wind. Also seen were 2 Scarce Emerald Damselfly, 5 Hairy Dragonfly including 3 small nymphs of this species and a few Variable, Azure and Blue tailed Damselfly. Mission accomplished and all went home fairly happy I think. Back to work tomorrow so no doubt it will be sunny, warm and the wind will drop this week now. Hopefully next weekend I can get out again to find some more Dainty Damselflies and Norfolk Hawkers.
Sunday, 4 June 2023
Cloudy Rewards
Wednesday, 31 May 2023
The Chase Is On!
Monday, 29 May 2023
Hairy Posers!
A visit to Westbere Lakes again over the past couple of days in sunny but still a very annoying northerly wind made it quite hard going but out of the wind, there were plenty of dragonflies and damselflies to see. There were good numbers of Variable, Azure, Blue tailed and Red eyed Damselflies around as well as 1 broad bodied Chaser and good numbers of Banded Demoiselle. A good check of likely areas produced and excellent 41 Scarce Chaser of differing ages and a few photos were taken which I shall post in due coarse. There were 7 Hairy Dragonfly with a couple of males posing beautifully in the sunshine and with a bit of ninja stealth, I was able to get into a few positions to take a few shots. I did have a good check to see whether any Norfolk Hawkers were to be seen but not yet. They would have emerged by now I suspect and are probably maturing up away from the water. Hopefully a visit this week will produce a few. I did however see my first Norfolk Hawker yesterday (28th) at Nethergong which I accidently flushed from the long grasses which then landed on the other side of the stream. He looked in immaculate condition and begs the question again whether they have bred on site this year in the streams.