Southern Migrant Hawker Still at Yarmouth.

A return visit to Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth today discovered the male Southern Migrant Hawker patrolling the diminishing woodland pond. With the weather starting to cloud over at times, our male hawker began to slow down and hovering was the name of the game as he no doubt investigated me as I stood observing his movements.This was an opportunity to attempt a few flight shots and I was frankly amazed that some photos did this lovely dragonfly justice.

Small Red-eyes at Shalfleet.

The Small Red-eyed Damselflies at a private garden pond in the village of Shalfleet have been late emerging this year.However today several mature males were on the pond  although it seems they were finding any open space  a problem as the ponds' lilies had almost covered the surface.

Southern Migrant Hawker Drops In at Yarmouth.

Very surprised and delighted to observe this male Southern Migrant Hawker patrolling an almost dried up pond at Yarmouth this afternoon.It is the first sighting of this species for me and I wonder if it is a first for the Isle of Wight.

The Southern Migrant Hawker,also known as the Blue-eyed Hawker, has spread in the last few years from the continent to breed in south-east England,especially around the Thames estuary.This particular individual may have crossed the English Channel in the last few days due to the southerly winds.

Emerald Damselflies Save the Day.

Today was a lovely warm summer's day with temperatures in the mid-twenties celsius.Too hot it seems for much activity, as the only sightings were two Emerald Damselflies,Lestes sponsa at the Southern Emerald site in Bouldnor Forest.The last record of Lestes barbarus was on the 20th June so it is hoped that any mature adults will return to the scrapes in August for mating.