They're Still Going Strong!

With the week off work due to half term and some nice sunny days, I have made a few visits to Nethergong to check on the dragonflies and damselflies. I suspect we are probably into the last few weeks of activity and with the temperatures starting to drop off, it won't be long until the season draws to a close. Having said that, I have been lucky this week to visit in sunny conditions and have spent a good few hours walking around Nethergong. On Wednesday, I made an afternoon visit in some warm sunshine where I managed to find 21 Willow Emerald Damselfly, c15 Common Darter and 1 Migrant Hawker. Seventeen of the Willow Emerald Damselfly were seen around two Alder Trees which overhang the stream and sixteen of these were males with one pair seen egg laying. As can be seen from the photo, I have to watch from the other side of the stream and I suspect there were maybe more along the stream but I enjoyed just watching them flying around the tree, chasing each other from time to time before returning back to their favoured perches.

Two Alder Trees (Where most sightings are currently coming from)

A scan of the branched revealed lots of gall marks and fingers crossed for next year. The remaining 4 Willow Emerald Damselflies were on the stream on the eastern boundary perched up waiting for passing females. With the family and some friends going to London today, I spent four hours at Nethergong again from midday where despite a cold north wind and temperatures only reaching about fourteen degrees celsius, I managed to locate 15 Willow Emerald Damselfly, 8 males and 2 females were seen around the two Alder Trees with 4 males noted along the eastern stream and 1 female seen in a sunny glade in the wood. With most out of range for the camera, I did at least find a couple to photograph and these may well prove to be my last photos of the year of this species unless we have some mild sunny weather in the next few weeks.

Willow Emerald Damselfly (male)

My last Willow Emerald Damselfly last year was on the late date of 13th November so there is a possibility that I may get to see the odd one if I visit early into November. Also seen in the sun today were c20 Common Darter including a few pairs in tandem ovipositing and 2 Migrant Hawker enjoying the warmth of a few sheltered areas. I might try to visit over the weekend if possible, if not, I will have to hope next weekend is a sunny mild one for my November visit. In the mean time, I had better get the nets, trays and tanks ready for the nymph season which I will continue through the winter to keep the interest going. 

Willow Emerald Damselfly (male) 

Common Darter (male)