After a few days of poor weather the sun was out today and two first of the season sightings were made at Bouldnor Forest ponds. A very small number of Common Darter were recorded around a couple of the ponds and this was followed by a lone female Black-tailed Skimmer. Other species seen; Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly , Azure and Large Red Damselfly.
Last Saturday was bright with sunny spells and the dragonflies at the ponds in Bouldnor Forest were active.The most prominent species of the day was the Emerald Damselfly,with several males to be seen.Among the others on show were a pair of mating Black-tailed Skimmers and Broad-bodied Chasers, with numerous emerging Common Darters, a couple of Blue-tailed Damselflies,a mature male Ruddy Darter, and Emperor Dragonflies.A first of the season sighting was this immature Southern Hawker.
A very bright,sunny, and warm afternoon in Bouldnor Forest today which certainly encouraged plenty of activity at the ponds. This resulted in a first sight of the year of a female Emerald Damselfly together with another first of the season,a male Black-tailed Skimmer. Emperor Dragonflies were very prominent,especially the males patrolling the ponds.
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.
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.
Just as a week ago the highlight of the day at Yarmouth were the Southern Emerald Damselflies. At least two individuals were recorded, one male and a female, and both were spotted in the exact same location as the female seen last week. Obviously a favourite spot. Both breeding scrapes are still full of water as are the other ponds on the site and Emperor Dragonflies again in prominence along with Black- tailed Skimmers and Common Darters.
Not surprisingly dragonfly activity has increased markedly in the last few days at the ponds in Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth. Since my last visit there are noticeably more Black-tailed Skimmers on and around the ponds, vying with the male Broad-bodied Chasers and Emperor Dragonflies. However I was pleased to see up to a dozen teneral Common Darters fluttering away to safety, as they were easily disturbed from the grass tussocks around the pond edges.
It seems that summer has arrived at last following one of the wettest months of May on record. Today at Yarmouth two first of the season species were seen; four Black-tailed Skimmers(one male and three female) and three patrolling male Emperor Dragonflies with one ovipositing female.
The Keeled Skimmer could be considered a surprise resident on the Isle of Wight. The species is found in acidic wet heathland containing runnels and streams, not the habitat that you would associate with the Island. However on our south-west coastal cliffs where the sandstone and clay are always on the move due to erosion, suitable habitat has been created on the landslip. Here small pools form with emergent reeds and in a couple of areas along the coast this skimmer has made it home.
A common skimmer mainly found at any pond with bare exposed banks is the Black-tailed Skimmer. The males like to perch horizontally on bare ground,mud,stones and dead wood.
