Just Over the Water.

The New Forest really needs no introduction. A fabulous ancient area of woodland, heathland, bog, and streams. The 'gateway' from the Isle of Wight is via Yarmouth, with a short ferry trip  to Lymington. There are several damselfly species in the New Forest that are not found on the Island, two of which are on the GB Red List as Endangered or Near Threatened. Another is classed as Nationally Scarce.

The Small Red Damselfly Ceriagrion tenellum  is  one of our smallest and can be seen at heathland bogs and streams. This is the only British species to qualify as Nationally Scarce.

Another priority species and sometimes seen in the same habitat as the Small Red is the Southern Damselfly  Coenagrion mercuriale. The New Forest is one of the few sites where this damselfly is found in the UK and also one of their main strongholds. In fact the Southern Damselfly is so rare that it has been afforded significant legislative protection.

The White-legged Damselfly is absent on the Isle of Wight but maybe found in one or two locations in the New Forest. This species prefers to spend it's time in tall vegetation along mature stretches of rivers. Can be quite abundant when conditions suit.(Images of  White-legged Damselflies below were not captured in the New Forest)

The final species in the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura pumilio. The best places to find the Scarce Blue-tailed in the New Forest are at small heathland streams and flushes. They are sometimes in the company of  the common Blue-tailed Damselfly so identification can be tricky.

   

A Delicate Damselfly.

Like the Southern Damselfly the New Forest is renowned as a stronghold for the Small Red Damselfly Ceriagrion tenellum. Perhaps the best location to see this delicate damselfly is Crockford Stream on Beaulieu Heath.A visit to the stream on Tuesday discovered good numbers of this very restricted species.It is classed as Nationally Scarce and the habitat required for the Small Red is usually limited to shallow warm acidic waters on heathland bogs where there are pools and small streams.

  

Crockford Stream Does Not Disappoint.

Crockford Stream trickles its way across Beaulieu Heath in the New Forest.As soon as you leave the small road  bridge that spans the stream activity is frantic with a myriad of  dragonflies every few feet along the watercourse.It really is a mecca for heathland odonata. 

Perhaps the most numerous species here is the Keeled Skimmer,closely followed by Beautiful Demoiselles and at regular intervals male Golden-ringed Dragonflies.They patrol the stream on the lookout for females and any other males that they may want to send on their way. 

One must not forget of course the two species of specialised damselflies that are also present along the stream,the Small Red Damselfly and the Southern Damselfly.

 

A Heathland Damselfly.

Yesterdays trip to the New Forest was to Crockford Stream,one of several watercourses that cross Beaulieu Heath.The stream has a good mix of odonata and is renowned for the Southern Damselfly and the Small Red Damselfly.Both species were evident in addition to other more common dragonflies.

The Southern Damselfly Coenagiron mercuriale is classed as Near Threatened in the UK due to its specialised habitat requirements.It is confined to shallow,well vegetated base-rich flushes and runnels usually found on wet heathland.The New Forest in Hampshire is one of this species strongholds.

A Look at Latchmore Brook.

My first ever visit to Latchmore Brook in the New Forest was an unexpected opportunity and unfortunately rather brief.Still an hour or so exploring the boggy feeder streams that flow from the north into the brook discovered several of the rare Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly and also the equally uncommon  Southern Damselfly.Other species seen at the brook and along the runnels were Beautiful Demoiselle,Keeled Skimmer,Large Red Damselfly,and Emperor Dragonflies.    

  

Crockford Stream.

Crockford Stream is on the southern edge of Beaulieu Heath in The New Forest.As mentioned in my two previous posts the stream is well known for two special damselfly species,the Small Red Damselfly and the Southern Damselfly.The stream is best accessed at Crockford Bridge on the B3054 from Lymington to Beaulieu.
On my visit this week I was welcomed by numerous male Beautiful Demoiselles and Keeled Skimmers every few feet, all defending their piece of the stream.The stream trickles its way through this boggy area almost disappearing at times in the low scrub. In places it forms small open pools and also clear slow running spots where female Golden-ringed Dragonflies can be seen laying their eggs in their unique fashion.There is also no shortage of male Golden-ringed flying low along the stream in search of females.
It wasn't long before I came across several male Southern Damselflies  at certain favoured points on the bank.Small Red Damselflies were not so common and only found in the more boggy areas of the stream.As this habitat seems to be very specialized the only other species of damselfly on view was a single male Blue-tailed.

Looking east to Crockford Bridge with the stream on the right