Beautiful Demoiselle's on the Wing.

A walk along the wooded banks of Shalfleet Stream yesterday eventually produced a first of the year Beautiful Demoiselle. In fact four individuals were recorded,two male and two female.

Downy Emeralds at Stag Lane Pond.

The pond at Stag Lane near to Newport was out of bounds today as work is  in  progress to clear reeds etc from the margins. However that did not prevent me from observing two male Downy Emerald Dragonflies patrolling close to the bank. This pond has regularly produced this species every saeason at this time. 

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Hairy Dragonflies Out in Numbers.

At Bouldnor Forest Yarmouth today there were at least three male Hairy Dragonflies constantly patrolling several of the  six small ponds.In fact it could have been as many as five males as three of the ponds were occupied by male Broad-bodied Chasers who quickly shooed away their smaller rivals. It is the first time that I have seen Hairy Dragonflies at this site  and  also good to see them in such numbers.

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Large Reds on Catchup.

 It seems that this season the emergence of Large Red Damselflies has been up to two weeks later than usual. However now that the summer weather is with us for a while I have had many teneral Large Reds in my garden.These have come from my pond and a container that has produced Large Reds for a couple of years now.The photos below show a female emerging from the container.

 

First Dragonfly Drops In.

Although  I am still awaiting the first sight of a damselfly from my garden pond this year, I was delighted to see this female Broad-bodied Chaser in the flower border outside my back door today. This sunny border has always been a favourite spot for dragonflies and she spent some time there in the warm sunshine.

 

First One of the Season.

 The first activity at my garden pond was today when this male Broad-bodied Chaser was observed just emerged from the water. It is not often that a Chaser is seen prior to the usual damselflies.

Summer Dragonflies in the Garden.

Dragonfly sightings seem to have been somewhat meagre this season.Therefore I was pleased to see this male Migrant Hawker in my garden yesterday.The other species predominent at the moment is the Common Darter that has spread itself throughout the garden.At my pond all is quiet with a male Common Darter on station,whereas the once common Azure Damselfly is all but gone.

More Dragonflies at Bouldnor.

Last Saturday was bright with sunny spells and the dragonflies at the ponds in Bouldnor Forest  were active.The most prominent species of the day was the Emerald Damselfly,with several males to be seen.Among the others on show were a pair of  mating  Black-tailed Skimmers and Broad-bodied Chasers, with numerous emerging Common Darters, a couple of Blue-tailed Damselflies,a mature male Ruddy Darter, and Emperor Dragonflies.A first of the season sighting was this immature Southern Hawker.

 

Dragonflies at Bouldnor.

A very bright,sunny, and warm afternoon in Bouldnor Forest today which certainly encouraged plenty of activity at the ponds. This resulted in a first sight of  the year of a female Emerald Damselfly together with another first of the season,a male Black-tailed Skimmer. Emperor Dragonflies were very prominent,especially the males patrolling the ponds.

Broad-bodied Chasers Take Over the Garden.

Over the last few days Broad-bodied Chasers have been very active in and around my garden pond. More than one female have oviposited in the pond with males visiting and taking station close by. This immature male in particular has spent some time in the sunny flower border  outside my back door and as can be seen is maturing.