Highlights were an unexpected appearance of a Beautiful Demoiselle, a presumed Vagrant Emperor, the continuing establishment of Red-eyed Damselfly as a breeding species and the re-establishment of Black-tailed Skimmer as a regular breeding species. On the downside there was a noticeable reduction in sighting of Azure Damselfly and unlike last year no rare migrants were noted.
Beautiful Demoiselle
The first record for three years; a male in Skipper Meadow on August 10th was only the third record since 2010.
 |
| Beautiful Demoiselle 10th August - David Flack |
Blue-tailed Damselfly
One on 7th May was the first damselfly of the year. The main emergence occurred mid-month with at least twenty-six centred around the Dune Pond by 20th May. Regularly recorded until the last on 30th August.
 |
| Blue-tailed Damselfly - Lee Collins |
Azure Damselfly
Emerged slightly later than Blue-tailed with the first on 11th May; recorded in lower numbers and less often recorded; usually only in single figures. The last of the year was on 12th August.
 |
| Azure Damselfly 21st May - Lee Collins |
Red-eyed Damselfly
Favouring areas of floating vegetation of the Main Pond, at least ten emerged on 1st June. Fewer were noted thereafter. This species is still establishing itself since its appearance last year and the flight season doesn't seem to overlap with Small Red-eyed.
Small Red-eyed Damselfly
Sharing the same habitat as Red-eyed Damselfly, but emerging later with at least 15 on 27th June. Now an established breeding species, recorded in double figures on the Main Pond until the last on 1st September.
 |
| Small Red-eyed Damselfly 10th July - Alan Keatley |
Hairy Dragonfly
This spring dragonfly was first noted on 3rd May with ones or two around the Main Pond and the Back Meadow until 21st May. Not recorded annually, these may have been migrants. Although it is presumed to have bred on site, no ovipositing has never been observed.
Southern Hawker
Appeared earlier than Migrant Hawker with the first on 5th August. Usually noted in smaller number than it's relative with a maximum six on 6th September. Just recorded on six days in September, with no sightings in October until a particularly late sighting on 26th, a migrant?
 |
| Southern Hawker 4th September - Dave Jewell |
Migrant Hawker
The commonest of the two late summer / autumn hawkers breeding on site. The first were four on 24th August. Numbers and frequency increased into early September with six on 9th. Recorded most days until the last of 5th November with maximum five on 19th October.
 |
| Migrant Hawker 9th September - Alan Keatley |
Vagrant Emperor
One presumed to be this species was over the saltmarsh briefly on 24th December.
Emperor Dragonfly
A common summer dragonfly with breeding recorded around at least three of the ponds. The first of the year was noted on 25th May with just a few sightings until an uptick in late June. Seen on most days in July with a peak of eight on 31st. Fewer in August and just two in September, with the last on 11th.
Golden-ringed Dragonfly
A good number of sightings of this large, colourful dragonfly. A summer wanderer to the site; usually found hunting long woodland edge and resting on vegetation. The first appearance was on 1st June, with perhaps the same accounting for regular sightings until the 5th. The next was on 9th July, with sightings on 14th, 18th & 19th again perhaps just one individual was involved.
 |
| Golden-ringed Dragonfly 23rd July - Alan Keatley |
Broad-bodied Chaser
A robust dragonfly with a welcome increase in recent years after a long-term decline. The first was noted on 10th May, with three on 17th, increasing to eight on 21st, including territorial males around at least four ponds. Frequent sightings continued into June with at least eight on 2nd, although numbers started to reduce towards the end of the month. In July noted on seven days with the last of the year on 31st.
 |
| Broad-bodied Chaser 21st May - Dave Jewell |
Black-tailed Skimmer
Becoming an annual species again in recent years, sharing the same habitat as Broad-bodied Chaser with most sightings at the Main Pond. The first of the year was on 11th June, with two on 27th, one on 1st July with further sightings on 14th, 23rd and 29th. In August, the last of the year was noted on 8th.
 |
| Black-tailed Skimmer 11th June - Alan Keatley |
Common Darter
The commonest and most widespread late summer /autumn dragonfly on site, with a notable decline in early season sightings in recent years. A newly emerged immature on 17th June was the only 'early' record. The next appearance was not until 10th July with further sightings including six on 16th. Into August, singles were noted on 3rd, 12th and 27th. As expected, an increase in September with at least ten on 9th, and further regular sightings throughout the month and into October with the years maximum of twenty-five on 19th, unfortunately egg laying in short term floods, and the last on 29th.
 |
| Common Darter 3rd August - Alan Keatley |
Data from the Recording Group's Birdtrack account.
No comments:
Post a Comment