Very similar to last year with fourteen species recorded with just one change; a Common Blue Damselfly in place of a Beautiful Demoiselle. All other regular species were present, plus two Vagrant Emperor. Irregular species not recorded this year included Red-veined Darter and Four-spotted Chaser.
Azure Damselfly
The first damselfly of the year with one noted on 30th April, a common species recorded on fourteen days until the last on 16th June. A much shorter flight period than last year with surprisingly no July or August reports.
Common Blue Damselfly
A male was identified on the estuary embankment on 4th August, the first record since 2010 for this uncommon (on site) common damselfly.
 |
| Common Blue Damselfly 4th September - Kevin Rylands |
Red-eyed Damselfly
The third year in a row that this relatively recent arrival has been recorded. Eight day sightings were centred around the Main Pond between 28th May and 30th June with ovipositing on the first date.
Small Red-eyed Damselfly
Now a regular breeding species with six day sightings between 8th July and 12th August with frequent ovipositing observed on the Main Pond.
 |
| Small Red-eyed Damselfly 10th July - Alan Keatley |
Blue-tailed Damselfly
The most frequently recorded damselfly with 29 day sightings between 3rd May and 17th July. Found on all ponds in marginal vegetation.
 |
| Blue-tailed Damselfly 3rd May - Lee Collins |
Emperor Dragonfly
The first sighting was on 17th May with 24 day sightings until 14th August. Down on last years 36 day sightings. An active hunter around the Main Pond.
 |
| Emperor Dragonfly 14th August - Lee Collins |
Vagrant Emperor
This migrant species was observed on 14th October and 6th November along the dune ridge coinciding with warm southerly winds and other migrant insects. An uptick with records in four of the last seven years.
Hairy Dragonfly
The rarest breeding dragonfly on site, invariably found during a short spring flight period. Just three sightings of one or two individuals between 3rd and 16th May compared with five days over a similar period in 2024.
Southern Hawker
A late summer / autumn species with eight day sightings between 14th August and 1st November compared with fifteen last year. Usually seen in one or two, hunting around trees and scrub.
 |
| Southern Hawker 14th August - Dave Jewell |
Migrant Hawker
Very similar flight period to Southern Hawker with 26 day sightings between 12th August and 28th October. A maximum of six were recorded on 29th September. Can be found in all habitats on site. A typical showing.
 |
| Migrant Hawker 4th October - Alan Keatley |
Golden-ringed Dragonfly
Seven day sightings of this attractive summer species between 11th June and 17th July, down on thirteen in 2024. Maximum three on 16th June.
 |
| Golden-ringed Dragonfly 11th June - Lee Collins |
Common Darter
A common late flying Darter. Noted on 26 days between 15th June and 30th November with double figures noted on a few dates. Similar numbers to last year.
 |
| Common Darter 11th November - Alan Keatley |
Black-tailed Skimmer
Just one sighting on 30th May in Greenland Lake. A disappointing year after seven day sightings last year.
Broad-bodied Chaser
Found around scrub and ponds with terrestrial behaviour observed between sexes. Fourteen day sightings between 10th May and 29th June down from 23 in 2024. Maximum five on 20th May.
 |
| Broad-bodied Chaser 14th May - Alan Keatley |
No comments:
Post a Comment