2026 Odonata Highlights (Part1)

It may seem a little early to be posting some of my favourite shots throughout the year but I suspect my season may well be over. There of course may be the odd Common Darter and Willow Emerald Damselfly seen if I'm lucky over the next few weeks if I am out in any warm sunshine. As ever, I have been out touring Kent throughout the year observing and capturing these amazing insects and have tried to pick a number of shots that are pleasing to me. It may well be I've chosen them because of the species involved or the composition of the shot. I could have chosen many more and was lucky this year to photograph a number of Kent's finest species, both common and rare. I must endeavour next year to find the time to look for the Brilliant Emerald, a nationally rare dragonfly which has the odd site in Kent. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the first instalment of photos from this year. 

Banded Demoiselle - male

Dainty Damselfly - male

Dainty Damselfly - mating pair

Golden ringed Dragonfly - male

Large Red Damselfly - male

Norfolk Hawker - male

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly - female aurantiaca form

Autumn Gold

With the sun shining this morning but a brisk NNW wind blowing, I spent an hour having a walk around Nethergong and in particular, the sheltered areas. It was pleasing to find 20+ Common Darter sunning themselves on any available warm area and I spent a while taking a few photos of them. There were also 10+ Willow Emerald Damselfly flying out from their perches chasing each other as well as 6 Migrant Hawker still on the wing. No doubt other sheltered areas would have held more of each species had I wandered around to them but it was just nice to spend some time watching them enjoying the autumn crispness around them.  

Common Darter - male

Migrant Hawker - male

Willow Emerald Damselfly - female

Willow Emerald Damselfly - male

On 'Red' Alert!

I had a trip over to Nethergong today and whilst there, I thought I would see what dragonflies were flying around the pools. Migrant Hawkers were everywhere and at least 200 were seen, probably a lot more. Blue tailed, Common Blue Damselflies and lots of Common Darter were also still numerous. As I walked through the long grasses, I kept my eyes peeled for Red veined Darters and it wasn't long until I found the first of 3 Red veined Darter seen today, all immature males. I didn't have the Sigma 150mm macro so used the Canon f4 300m lens and with a bit of patience and fieldcraft, I was able to get in quite close for some photos in good light. Most literature suggests that the second generation fly south when they emerge so I wonder when they will be off and where they will end up? A daunting migration across the seas await them. I will have a look in a few days again but what a privilege to have had them on the local patch this year. I hope they return again next year. 

Red veined Darter - immature male

Red Veined Breeding Success!

It was only a few months ago that I first found a few Red veined Darter on one of the pools in the Nethergong area. Despite searching, I couldn't find any females at the time but hoped that there were some around to breed. Jump forward to the weekend where I was out in rather cloudy conditions and checking the grasses around the pools for any dragonflies or damselflies when I suddenly flushed quite a yellow dragonfly in front of me which soon landed. I already had my suspicions and was pleased to see a teneral female Red veined Darter. They had bred! With this find, I then spent the next hour carefully walking through the grasses where I managed to see 7 Red veined Darter, 6 teneral and 1 adult male. Although the light was quite challenging, I managed to take a number of photos of this first for the area. To prove breeding, I then spent some time looking in the vegetation where I manged to find at least 10 Red veined Darter exuviae. I'm sure there are more to emerge and some that I have already missed. Hopefully I can get back in the next few days for another look but what a local result to have these beauties breeding on the patch. I wonder whether they will mature up on site and lay their eggs for next year or leave the site and return south. It's certainly been a treat to have them this year.  

Red veined Darter - teneral female

Red veined Darter - male