Three new species for 2022 were recorded today in Bouldnor Forest near to Yarmouth. A male Golden-ringed Dragonfly hunting along the main track seen at the end of my visit and earlier two immature Southern Hawkers,one male and one female, doing the same in a forest ride. At the ponds, along with the common damselflies and darters was a mature male Ruddy Darter. Other species included several Black-tailed Skimmers, Emperor Dragonflies, Common Darters, and Broad-bodied Chasers.
The Common Darter was a new addition to this year's species list today with at least twelve recorded around the ponds at Bouldnor,Yarmouth. All were either tenerals or immatures and I am certain that other individuals were scattered among the surrounding scrub and gorse as they seem to emerge in large numbers. Also present were the common damselflies and in particular several Blue-tailed Damselflies,again in and around the two Lestes barbarus scrapes.
A reasonable selection of spring dragonflies at Bouldnor Forest ponds today under mainly sunny skies. Several Emperor Dragonflies were recorded around the ponds which followed up my first sighting of the year of this species on the 18th May in the same location. Black-tailed Skimmers were also in evidence with at least two immature individuals. This was in addition to the four tenerals I encountered on the 28th May.
I have made a few visits to these ponds in the last week in the hope of seeing the first Lestes barbarus, but no luck up to now. In fact the two ponds used by this species over the last six years were today occupied by Blue-tailed Damselflies with a count of at least six.
