Black Darters on Town Common.

Arguably the best site for the Black Darter in this area is Town Common,Dorset.Of course there are several scattered populations in the New Forest as this species is found on lowland heathland particularly in the south.

Last year's visit to the Common was made in the first week of September after a prolonged bout of dry and hot weather.The open heathland was devoid of moisture so it was down to locating any small pools that may remain in the more restricted parts of the common.

Yesterday's visit however was more successful, as although several darters were recorded on the open heath,the same shallow pools and their immediate surroundings had good  numbers of both male and female Black Darters.In fact unlike last time there were a lot of females.

Other species in evidence were Emerald Damselflies mainly around the pools, and along the tree lined tracks  some Brown Hawkers on the hunt for prey.

One of several shallow pools still with water.

More From Town Common.

Despite my disappointment at failing to locate more than one female Black Darter I was pleased to see several males.By this time of the season the males have matured with their frons darkening as well as the yellow spots on the side of the abdomen. The base of the hind wings is very broad as can be particularly noted in the second photo below.Unlike the female,the males wings are clear.

A Late Summer Darter.

The Black Darter is not found on the Isle of Wight.The nearest sites are situated in the New Forest where the lowland heaths provide the right habitat conditions for our smallest dragonfly.However perhaps the best location is on Town Common in Hampshire's neighbouring county Dorset 

Yesterdays trip was blessed with sunny weather and is just an 18 mile car ride from Lymington.The Common is a large expanse of  heathland normally with areas of very wet and boggy ground,although due to the dry conditions this summer they all seemed well dried out.It therefore transpired that the best locations to find any darters was to search for the odd damp pool or runnel.Luckily one of two still remained and male Black Darters were on guard for intruders and females.

On the  heather covered heath I only saw one darter,a female,that unfortunately disappeared as quickly as it appeared.