Autumn Delivery

It's been a few weeks since I have really managed to get out now I have returned back to work after the summer holidays, so with some nice warm weather forecast for this morning, I made a visit to Nethergong for a couple of hours to see what could be found. In a nice steady walk around from 10am, I managed to see c60 Willow Emerald Damselfly, most seen in tandem either flying along the stream and also a few pairs seen ovipositing. There were a good few areas I didn't even check so I suspect many others could have been found if I had stayed later. Also seen were c20 Migrant Hawkers which provided the mornings entertainment with the camera trying for a few in flight photos. After watching a few likely individuals hovering nicely along the stream, I spent some time sitting down and waited for them to pass by. It was just nice and relaxing watching them and a bonus that a few photos turned out quite nicely. If starting dragonfly flight shots, this is the species I would give the time to as they often pause to hover and provide some excellent entertainment. 1 Emerald Damselfly was also noted along with c70 Common Darter which seemed to be everywhere. Nice to be back out again after a few weeks absence enjoying the autumn odonata.

 

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male