White-legs Under Pressure.

On a holiday to the Greek Island of Meganisi last week there was time to spent an hour or so in Nydri on Lefkada.A visit to a favoured site for dragonflies was a disappointment as the area has succumbed to development with many lots fenced off and up for sale.The result was that only one male Scarce Chaser was recorded along with several White-legged Damselflies.

Anceps.

Although the Scarce Chaser tends to dominate the streams and ditches around the town of Nydri on the Ionian Island of Lefkada,there is another dragonfly that shares this habitat.In the southern Balkans the Keeled Skimmer subspecies anceps is dominate, where the adult male may be all-pruinose.Unlike the Keeled Skimmers of northern Europe anceps frequent streams and ditches whereas its northern cousin prefers boggy acidic runnels.
A great surprise to me was also the sighting of a male Southern Skimmer Orthetrum brunneum, a species very similar to the Keeled Skimmer but differing in several features. 

A male Southern Skimmer

Immature male

Immature female

Showing Off Those Legs.

As well as Scarce Chasers scattered on suitable habitat around the ditches and streams on the outskirts of Nydri,Lefkada there are also other odonata species to enjoy.Not least are White-legged Damselflies Platycnemis pennipes. These attractive damselflies are numerous at this time and can be seen gliding among the reeds in search of a sunny spot.The male is a handsome blue with dark markings and has very expanded white legs which it uses for display. The females have a overall cream colour turning green when mature.

Scarce Chasers Abound.

Known as the Scarce Chaser in the UK and the Blue Chaser on the continent this species is very specific in its habitat requirements.Consequently populations are very localised and as would suggest in its name this Chaser has a restricted UK range. However in favoured spots numbers can be abundant and around the town  of Nydri,Lefkada there are still many such spots.These streams and ditches which in the winter take rainwater from the hills and mountains to the sea, are at this time a perfect breeding habitat for this Chaser.

At The Waterfall.

The waterfalls close to the town of Nydri on the Greek Island of Lekada are a visitor attraction.However my reason for taking the hour long walk from the town was to see any large dragonflies that may be around the clear flowing pools.Unfortunately none were to be seen at least on that day.This was a disappointment as on my last visit three years ago there were several.

My only count of the day was one unidentified damselfly which gave me the slip and this male Beautiful Demoiselle which posed very nicely over a crystal clear pool.In this part of south east Europe this subspecies Calopteryx virgo festiva is present.The difference in this species in comparison to the species seen in the UK are the purple wings that completely cover the wing surface area.

On The Lookout.

During a recent stay on the Greek Island of  Lefkada I encountered several dragonflies.Some however were moving on and any photographic record was not possible.Still,a particular male Violet Dropwing visited our holiday swimming pool and energetically flew around for some time.Once provided with a poolside perch he happily remained  for several days.

Find any sort of standing water and there is a good chance of seeing a dragonfly.This was so just along the road at what was no more than a field ditch,where a handsome male Scarlet Darter had taken up station.There are no shortage of olive groves here too and choose one with abundant wildflowers will always provide a few hawking dragonflies.The grove I investigated had a good number of Keeled Skimmers of the subspecies anceps.

Back to Lefkada.

This is the ideal time of the year to visit a favourite Greek Island of mine.In and around the coastal town of Nidri on Lefkada there are a host of dragonflies and damselflies to see.The small streams that gently flow into the sea here are clogged with reeds in places and are a perfect habitat for the Scarce Chaser.The adult males can be found in good numbers, along with other species that like these conditions such as White-legged Damselflies and Keeled Skimmers.But perhaps the most exotic dragonfly to grace these streams is the Violet Dropwing and in particular the colourful male.

A Trip to Rhodes.

The Greek Island of Rhodes,situated close to the Turkish mainland  is a very popular holiday destination for the British and is a unique area for dragonflies not seen in the rest of Europe.

A family vacation this last week to enjoy the town of Lindos in the south of the Island and hopefully encounter some of the Rhodes wildlife in and around our holiday complex.The countryside nearby is hilly with bare rock slopes and a scattering of scrub and herb plants baked dry by the hot summer sun.

However there is no shortage of water as the torrential winter rains fill the several large reservoirs across the Island.Thanks to regular irrigation of the hotel gardens there is usually running water around at some time which becomes a magnet for any passing dragonflies,as well as the two swimming pools which also attract the insects

My first encounter was a female Red-veined Darter right outside the ground floor balcony and more of these darters were seen along the dry track passing by the complex.

A great find was a mature male Small Skimmer which took up position on one of the hotel paths where water from a garden  trickled across.

Perhaps the best sighting was at the edge of the swimming pool where I closely observed a beautiful male Violet Dropwing. Sadly as I was in the pool at the time and not in the habit of taking the camera in with me I missed the opportunity to takes its picture.Not the first time that I have seen this species at the side of a swimming pool as last year in Lefkada I was lucky enough to get a shot of this handsome dragonfly.

The swimming pool was also patrolled by more than one large dragonfly at regular times of the day.

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What laughingly could be called a pond for terrapins was the brief domain of a male Epaulet Skimmer.

A regular visitor outside our balcony was this immature male Blue-tailed Oertzeni's Rock Lizard.Another colourful animal on this Island.

Also a delicate Praying Mantis on the lookout for another meal.