Newly Emerged Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense)

After getting back from some birding at Reculver this morning, I went and had a check of the pond and was excited to see that a male Hairy Dragonfly had already emerged and was clinging on to its exuviae in the sunshine. I couldn't let this chance go by so quickly went and got the camera and spent the next 15 minutes or so taking a number of photos. I had collected the nymph during the winter from Nethergong and reared it in the pond with a view that I might be able to see it emerge and capture some photos, but I always try if possible to return the dragonfly or damselfly back to where I collected the nymphs so they can continue their lives as normal. Thankfully, my timing on this occasion was good as I was able to put it on a stick in a large pot and drive it back to Nethergong where I released it next to a large pond. After a quick walk around the area, I returned to check if it was still there but it had already flown off. Hopefully with this warm spell of weather we have at the moment, this will encourage a few more to emerge in the next few days.

 

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) - teneral male with exuviae