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.

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.

 

Still Down at Mill

The mill at Brighstone village has for some years ceased to function and is now converted to residential homes.However I am glad to say that the Banded Demoiselles are still occupying the banks of the mill stream,

Perhaps June is the best time to see them,particularly the stunning male which can be seen patrolling its territory flitting up and down his stretch of  the stream.

Behaviour is very similar to the Beautiful Demoiselle and they can sometimes be found together if the conditions are right.Normally,however the Banded prefer a slower flowing watercourse.

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