Southern Belles.

At this time we would expect to see the first Southern Hawkers making an appearance and it was good to see a first of the season at Yarmouth today.This immature female was flying along a woodland ride in search of prey and regularly alighted on a suitable perch to rest and eat.

At the Southern Emerald site I was pleased to find two males and a female at the larger scrape.All were discovered among the reeds of the scrape.With the weather set to warm up considerably over the next week it is hoped that more individuals will be recorded, although this site has never seemed to produce high numbers of Lestes barbarus.

First Sight of the Emerald Damselfly.

Although the Emerald Damselfly,Lestes sponsa is widespread and fairly common ,it is nonetheless an exquiste and delicate damselfly.This young female was found today along a woodland ride close to the ponds at Bouldnor,Yarmouth from where  no doubt it emerged.

One Southern Emerald and a Flood of Common Darters.

A search of both scrapes at Yarmouth today discovered one male Southern Emerald Damselfly.He was located at the larger scrape among the pond grasses.Other species seen were several Emperor Dragonflies and a bevy of Common Darters emeging from one of the other ponds on the site, together with some immature Ruddy Darters.

Back at Bouldnor.

It has been over a week since my last visit to Bouldnor at Yarmouth.This was mainly due to the cool and changeable weather since the end of May.However we are now enjoying a brief spell it seems, of warmer conditions before much needed rain is forecast for the coming weekend.

At the ponds one or two new species of the year were to be seen today.A couple of Common Darter,several Black-tailed Skimmers,and a male Common Blue Damselfly.Unfortunately despite a prolonged search I was unable to locate any Southern Emerald Damselflies and I hope that any recent emergents have dispersed into the scrub.