Back for Another Look.

 It was a retracing of steps today with another visit to Bouldnor Forest ponds. The main attraction yet again, were the Broad-bodied Chasers with  six adult males, two females, and another two ovipositing females. Large Red and Azure Damselflies completed the count.

At Brighstone Mill stream the first mature adult male Beautuiful Demoiselle was 'dancing' over the stream with just one female seen away from the water. However a female Banded was also noted at the water's edge.

First Banded Demoiselle of the Season.

 A return visit this afternoon to Brighstone Mill stream discovered my first sight of a Banded Demoiselle  this year. This immature female was the only Banded to be seen, together with just three Beautiful Demoiselles. 

Earlier in the day  the ponds at Bouldnor Forest produced several Broad-bodied Chasers and a blue form Common Blue Damselfly. With the exception of a few Large Red Damselflies no other species were recorded.

 

 

      

Immature Demoiselles at Brighstone Mill Stream.

The mill stream at Brighstone is well known for its Banded Demoiselles. A first visit of the year today produced several immature demoiselles, all encountered in a sheltered sunny spot slightly away from the stream. However to my surprise they all seemed to be Beautiful Demoiselles although in the past, I have seen the odd individual of this species with the resident Banded at this location.

Our Island Resident Species-Demoiselles.

Both demoiselle species are found on the Isle of Wight. The Banded Demoiselle can be abundant along our slow flowing watercourses and the adult male is striking  with its iridescent black band across the wings. The adult female can be separated from the Beautiful Demoiselle by displaying pale green wings rather than the brown of the latter species.

Like the Banded, the immature male and female Beautiful Demoiselle have brown eyes and wings. When mature the male develops dark eyes and dark brown-black wings and the female has dark brown wings. 

It is always a treat to witness the sight of several mature males sparring in flight over a sunlit section of stream to maintain their territories and impress the females. They particularly like farmland and woodland streams on the Island including well-shaded watercourses. Females can lay many eggs at a time and like to deposit them in emergent or floating plants.

 

Common Blues Sign In.

A visit to the stream at Southford near to the village of Niton today did not produce any sightings.It seems that the Banded Demoiselles are not yet on the wing.However close by is a reservoir and a known spot for Common  Blue Damselflies.Happily I managed to find three individuals all immature/teneral.

Busy at Brighstone Mill Stream.

I decided to make a brief visit the mill stream at Brighstone today as I was passing close by. The sun was shining and there were a few  hot spots along the stream,just right for sun loving dragonflies. Not surprisingly Common Darters were numerous as too were Banded Demoiselles. It was good to see a male Golden-ringed Dragonfly patrolling a short stretch of the stream and obligingly perching on any convenient reed stem. Another dragonfly also with the same intent, was a Southern Hawker that found an overhanging branch.

Banded at Brighstone Mill Stream.

A short outing this afternoon presented the opportunity to drop in at Brighstone Mill stream to see the Banded Demoiselles. The former mill stream was alive with male demoiselles flitting over the clear running water in brief aerial combat before returning to their waterside stations.Female demoiselles were also in evidence and in particular a mature female Beautiful Demoiselle took my eye as she consumed her prey.Banded dominate this stream but Beautiful Demoiselles are known to wander so this one could have come from afar.

 

Banded Demoiselles Out in Force.

On a recent trip to seek out the Scarce Chaser as described in my entry of the 8th June,I was happy to see that the Banded Demoiselle is enjoying a good season with large numbers evident all around the stream frequented by the Scarce Chaser 

Poor Weather Keeps the Banded Away.

Despite today's blustery and cool weather I made a first of the year visit to Southford Stream in the hope of seeing the Banded Demoiselle. Numbers were very low with just four sightings,three males and one female and no activity at all along this particular stretch of stream.Still,perhaps this was due to disappointing weather and no doubt numbers will increase as the season progresses.

There were however many Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies in several areas of long grass close to the stream.These originate from the reservoir which is very close by.

Another Summer Stroll.

The fine hot weather continues and just the day for a walk along the stream at Southford.Good numbers of Banded Demoiselles here but no Golden-ringed Dragonflies stationed on the reeds yet.However one seen in flight patrolling the length of the stream and also a male hunting and devouring its prey.At the lake still plenty of Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies

Photograph of the male Banded Demoiselle very kindly supplied by Barb Close.

A Rare Treat.

The Scarce Chaser is not a common dragonfly on the Isle of Wight. In fact one is very fortunate to see it at all. Therefore when I had the opportunity to hopefully get a sight of this Chaser at an Island location it was a chance not to be missed..

In the company of a friend who has seriously searched for suitable habitat that might attract the Scarce Chaser we visited two areas. The first was a marsh maintained by the RSPB where it had been reported several years ago. Unfortunately despite some time looking at possible sites the Chaser was not seen. However there was no shortage of other more common species here with many Banded Demoiselles and damselflies along the riverbank. Around the ditches were Common and Ruddy Darters that had not long emerged.

At the second site not too far away which is a short stretch of muddy and very slow flowing stream we immediately came on a beautiful female Scarce Chaser perched very conveniently on a reed.

The Scarce Chaser preferred habitat is as just described with a good covering of  reed vegetation but having one or two small cleared areas of open water.

After this excellent first sighting a short distance farther on and at one these small open areas we saw a male which again was perched on what must be a favourite reed as it did not move off for some time.

Banded on the Run.

The River Yar at Southford is no more than a stream at this point as it flows through farmland.Here at this time of year the Banded Demoiselles are emerging and today I must have counted at least twenty individuals along the riverbank and on the footpath leading to the river.

In addition good numbers of Common Blue Damselflies are here, as well as Large Red,Azure, and  Blue-tailed.

A Common Sight.

The Common Blue Damselfly must be of our most abundant damselflies,hence the name.However it is  one of the most colourful especially the adult male in this bright blue.

My trip to Southford stream yesterday did not produce any early Banded Demoiselles but at the lake there were good numbers of the Common Blue in different stages of maturity.The immature males are a pale lilac,whereas the females prior to there adult green are a greyish.The adult female also has a blue form similar to the male.

Banded Demoiselles Galore.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to Southford stream today in the south of the Isle of Wight.

On yet another scorching hot day a stroll along this stream was a treat.Lots of Banded Demoiselles to see and every few yards a Golden-ringed Dragonfly.The latter does certainly seem to be having a good season as there have been numerous sightings on the Island of this spectacular dragonfly.

More Summer Visitors?

The high chalk cliffs that make up  much of the coastline around the Needles are landfall for many flying insects during the summer months.Today on West High Down there was a brisk onshore breeze and I was surprised to come upon ,near to the cliff edge,a male Banded Demoiselle as well as a Common Blue Damselfly.Of course they could have just as likely flown there from inland but it seems that this location on chalk downland is not their normal habitat.

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