2018 Odonata Highlights (October - November)

The latter part of the season is normally spent watching and photographing the few species that are still on the wing, namely Common Darter, Migrant Hawker and the Willow Emerald Damselfly. This year was no different as most of my time was spent at Nethergong when the weather was productive watching these species. The Migrant Hawkers put on a good show with a few sessions spent quietly stalking them and a few nice photographic rewards for my efforts.

 

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male 

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - mating pair

 

The most numerous dragonfly around was the Common Darter with many pairs seen at the stream in tandem and ovipositing which always provides a nice spectacle. It was nice to get a few shots away from the clutter of the ground with one perching up nicely.

 

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) - male

 

Having had a good season, the Willow Emerald Damselflies continued to show well which allowed me to enjoy the last few sessions with them before time was called on their season. Late on in the season, I did see a few pairs ovipositing into the catkins of Alder trees. I have never seen this before and an email to a few people in the know confirmed my thoughts that this has possibly not been recorded before in the UK.

 

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) pair ovipositing into Alder Catkins

 

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - male

 

By late November and most species season over, I decided this year to make a few comparisons of exuviae where the species are quite similar in appearance. I spent a good few hours photographing Downy and Brilliant Emerald and Migrant and Southern Migrant Hawker exuviae to show the main key differences about the species, which will hopefully be of use to myself and others when identifying these species.

 

Brilliant Emerald and Downy Emerald Exuviae Comparison Plate

Migrant Hawker and Southern Migrant Hawker Exuviae Comparison Plate

 

Its been an amazing year with many highlights which include photographing Norfolk Hawker emerging, male Hairy Dragonfly emerging, Downy and Brilliant Emerald emerging and also collecting their exuviae, seeing my first Kent Southern Migrant Hawkers and collecting their exuviae in Essex, Brown Hawker emerging, Banded Demoiselle emerging, seeing my first male Common Clubtails and photographing my first male Common Hawkers in Cornwall. Here's hoping that 2019 is just as good with many photographic and studying opportunities. My next post will possibly look at my top 5 photos taken during the year if I can actually decide on any. A brief look through the highlights and I think I have an awkward task in front of me.