Scarce Chasers at Westbere

I called into Westbere Lakes after work yesterday (Tuesday) where I spent 2 hours having a stroll up to the river and then west along the river towards Fordwich for a while. Although sunny and quite warm, there was a brisk wind but as ever, plenty of sheltered areas where found which held quite a bit for me to look at and photograph. Walking up to the river revealed 2 male Hairy Dragonflies which patrolled over the path just above ground level but they never perched and hundreds of Variable and Azure Damselflies with a few Red eyed Damselflies noted. I will have to have a few sessions just photographing damselflies as my main attention was trying to find Scarce Chasers and obtaining a few usable images of them. I can remember years where the Scarce Chaser was everywhere down here and although not at their peak yet, I only managed to find 5 Scarce Chaser. I would have thought that there would have been quite a few more but I suppose I only checked a few areas and it was quite late in the day. Another visit required to see if their numbers are growing I believe soon. I did find a few though and as ever, they can often show well, returning to the same perches to check their territory and watch out for prey. I ended up with some pleasing images of this striking species. Another species not out in any numbers yet is the Banded Demoiselle. Only a few were seen along the river but I hope in a week or so, they should be out in their hundreds. Weather permitting, hopefully a visit on Saturday to my good friend Warren Baker of 'Pittswood Birds' fame to catch up with a few species I do not get in this part of east Kent, namely Beautiful Demoiselle and White legged Damselfly and maybe a bonus Downy Emerald if we are lucky. Fingers crossed for that weather then and a bit of luck hopefully.

Scarce Chaser (female) 

Scarce Chaser (immature male)