With a day of warm temperatures and quite light winds forecast, I had arranged to carry out a survey of the dragonflies and damselflies at various private sites at Sandwich Bay with the warden, Steffan. Arriving at 10am in glorious warm sunshine, we spent about five hours walking around some of the private pools that can be found within the local area and found an excellent variety of species. The days highlights included 17 Southern Migrant Hawker including a pair in tandem and no doubt, about to oviposit into one of the dry ditches. I believe this is the first time a female Southern Migrant Hawker has been seen in the recording area.
Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) - male
Also noted nearby were 5 Scarce Emerald Damselfly and 7 Southern Emerald Damselfly. In one small dried up pool of only a few metres in diameter, we saw a male Southern Migrant Hawker patrolling and both Scarce and Southern Emerald Damselfly. Quite a sight I assure you to have these rare dragonflies and damselflies close together.
Scarce Emerald Damselfly (Lestes Dryas) - male
Southern Emerald Damselfly (Lestes barbarus)
Other pools also held plenty of Emperor Dragonfly, Black tailed Skimmer, a teneral Migrant Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly and 10+ Small red eyed Damselfly. As we slowly made our way back a Brown Hawker was seen and having thanked Steffan for giving up his time and taking me around the area, I spent the last hour on my own at a pool where I found 4 male Red veined Darter. I was able to spend some time slowly stalking them and obtaining a few nice photos of a species I haven't seen for a few years. A brilliant day in excellent company at a superb place for odonata with a number of very special species noted and a few pleasing images taken. Happy days!
Red veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) - male
Well, that's what you call a successful day Marc. I wasn't aware that the Scarce and Southern Emerald were over that way.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Bob but when they come along, makevthe most of them. The Southern Emeralds have been missing for a few years but seemed to have been found again this year. A memorable day indeed with a few bonus photos too.
DeleteHi Marc, My successful day is getting my new computer up and running. Good pictures to welcome me back on line. Stay safe, Mike.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back online Mike, I did wonder where you were. A most lovely day seeing some of the counties rare odonata. Take care.
DeleteBrilliant photography as always, Marc, of some very special species. Just seeing any one of those species would probably be my odonata highlight of the year.
ReplyDeleteTake good care - - - Richard
Many thanks Richard. Yes to see one of these species in a day is pretty good so this blew my mind as you can imagine. Take care.
DeleteThe Southern Migrant Hawker is a tremendous Marc, and the Scarce Emerald Damselfly, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. They certainly are stunning insects.
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