Isle of Wight Dragons: 2026

Wednesday, 8 April 2026

Large Red Damselflies Take to the Air.

A morning visit to the old pond at Bouldnor Forest today was rewarded with at least 6 teneral Large Red Damselflies.All were observed fluttering away from the pond margins to the safety of the surrouding trees and bushes.

Golden-ringed Dragonfly

This is our largest UK dragonfly and seems to be widespread on the Isle of Wight.It is readily found along suitable streams and small rivers.

The male has a swollen abdomen at the tip while the female can be identified by a long and pointed ovipositor which is used to jab repeatedly down into the bed of shallow water to lay its eggs.

The larval stage can last up to five years as the larvae will spend their time buried at the bottom of the watercourse,with eyes only protruding,waiting to grab passing prey.