They're Still Going!

Earlier on in the week, it looked like this afternoon in east Kent would see some sunshine but in reality, we all know that the forecast is often wrong and this proved the case with cloudy skies and a brisk breeze. Wanting to get out though for a look around, I still decided to have a look at Nethergong and hoped a few sheltered areas would bring at least some action. This thankfully proved the case as I was able to check a number of trees hanging over the water in sheltered areas and managed to find 18 Willow Emerald Damselfly including a mating pair and 3 ovipositing pairs. Most of them were found by just scanning through the trees with binoculars but I was lucky to find a mating pair quite close to the bank which despite the complete lack of light for photography, I still managed a few useable shots.

 

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - mating pair

 

Its getting to that point now where they are getting trickier to find but it was pleasing to still see them egg laying and making the most of the time they have left. Any slightly warmer days with sunshine will no doubt have them and others on the wing and I'm just hopeful that I can at least have one more sunny day with them before their season comes to an end. Also seen today were 12 Common Darter and 2 Migrant Hawker. Last weekend, I did manage a few shots of the them in some brief sunshine which showed off their superb late autumn colours. Fingers crossed for some sunshine and light winds again in the next few days.

 

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - male