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.
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.
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.
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.
A midday walk along a short stretch of Shalfleet Stream today was greeted with dark clouds and a shower of rain. However this proved to be fortunate as I soon came upon my first Beautiful Demoiselle of the year. This immature male was taking shelter very low down on a leaf and was not intending to move until the sun came out again. This individual was the only demoiselle to be seen and I count myself lucky to have come across him.
A good number of Broad-bodied Chasers today at Bouldnor Forest ponds. At least six individuals present near to the ponds and all seeking the sun and the protection of the gorse.
There was no doubt that this particular female Large Red emerged from my garden pond today. She was found clinging to the reed stem with the larval case a few inches below. I hope that it is the first of many to emerge from the pond this season.
At my pond today was the first damselfly to be seen in the garden this year. A female Large Red Damselfly was spotted sitting on a bamboo leaf and with no evidence of it emerging from my pond I wonder if she came from the established pond next door. Either way, a welcome sight.
What a pleasure to see the first damselfly of the season today at the Battery pond in Bouldnor Forest near to Yarmouth. In fact there were three teneral Large Red Damselflies, two fluttering away from cover close to the pond edge and this male a short distance away.
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.
