Visitors to this site over the past few years will know there are 2 species in particular that I have spent many hours photographing, the Willow Emerald Damselfly and the Norfolk Hawker. It has taken me three years of searching from late May to mid June to find my first Norfolk Hawker exuviae which I can tell you was rewarding having spent many hours looking in reedbeds. However, this year I would like to take the challenge even further by trying to find a Norfolk Hawker emerging at night and hopefully photographing it. Having looked through the internet for photos of this, I have not managed to find any photos taken within the UK of this species emerging. I am very lucky to live near a good site in east Kent for this species and having watched a few ovipositing over the past few years in a few dykes, I think this is a challenge which although very hard, is possible with a bit of luck. I have spent a few hours in the past few weeks looking at likely areas where I think they may emerge and having obtained permission to visit a site after dark from 9pm - midnight from mid May onwards, I intend to make visits when the weather is suitable over a couple of weeks. I think its going to be a big challenge but the area in question is a narrow dyke with occasional clumps of reeds and with the help of a headtorch, I'm hoping to find one emerging. I have had a brief run through early one evening with the equipment at the site and all seems to work out well, I suppose its just a case now of being a bit lucky but I'm determined to give it a good try despite probably having not much sleep on some nights. I will I'm sure keep you informed of how the challenge is going on. As the saying goes, 'no pain, no gain!'
Norfolk Hawker Exuviae (photographed on the 22nd May 2017)
Wonderful images Marc, even when its late.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. I do love finding exuviae and thinking of the story that unfolded there as the dragonfly or damselfly emerged.
ReplyDeleteI'll wish you all the best with that one, Marc! I'm far too old for such capers. I look forward, however, to seeing your results, 'cos if anyone can do it you can! Wonderful shots of the exuvia BTW. Best wishes - - - Richard
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely going to be hard and i expect, a lack of sleep on some nights. I'm Hoping if I put my mind to it, that I may get lucky. It would be some prize if I could pull this one off.
DeleteBest of luck Marc your dedication is remarkable but i suppose this is how new discoveries have been made over the centuries. I'm house sitting in Kent for the May half term holidays so will be happy to just see my first Norfolk Hawker. I've visited Westbere many times when i've been in Kent but never been at the correct time for the NH. Perhaps this time !!!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Johnny. They often emerge and hen seemingly disperse away from the water to mature up, returning a week or so later. Grove Ferry I would think will be the the best place to see them in numbers this year but I think anywhere in the Stour Valley will deliver them.
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