After a few days of poor weather the sun was out today and two first of the season sightings were made at Bouldnor Forest ponds. A very small number of Common Darter were recorded around a couple of the ponds and this was followed by a lone female Black-tailed Skimmer. Other species seen; Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly , Azure and Large Red Damselfly.
For the last three years or so a 50cm diameter tub on my patio has produced many damselflies.This year is no exception with so far over twenty Large Red and Azure Damselflies emerging up through the water lily.At first they had to cling to the side of the tub just above the water level but for the last couple of seasons there are several sticks which has now become there preferred exit.
I was very pleased to observe this male Southern Hawker at my garden pond today.He had emerged it seems a short while ago as I just had time to take a couple of photo's before he took off and headed for cover.
I was rewarded today with two good sightings in and around the ponds at Bouldnor. A colourful male Emperor Dragonfly landed very nicely right in front of me and seemed happy to have its photograph taken. Not too far away along a woodland ride a Golden-ringed Dragonfly was observed resting briefly on a bramble bush before moving on in its search for prey.
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A walk along the wooded banks of Shalfleet Stream yesterday eventually produced a first of the year Beautiful Demoiselle. In fact four individuals were recorded,two male and two female.
The pond at Stag Lane near to Newport was out of bounds today as work is in progress to clear reeds etc from the margins. However that did not prevent me from observing two male Downy Emerald Dragonflies patrolling close to the bank. This pond has regularly produced this species every saeason at this time.
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At Bouldnor Forest Yarmouth today there were at least three male Hairy Dragonflies constantly patrolling several of the six small ponds.In fact it could have been as many as five males as three of the ponds were occupied by male Broad-bodied Chasers who quickly shooed away their smaller rivals. It is the first time that I have seen Hairy Dragonflies at this site and also good to see them in such numbers.
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It seems that this season the emergence of Large Red Damselflies has been up to two weeks later than usual. However now that the summer weather is with us for a while I have had many teneral Large Reds in my garden.These have come from my pond and a container that has produced Large Reds for a couple of years now.The photos below show a female emerging from the container.
Although I am still awaiting the first sight of a damselfly from my garden pond this year, I was delighted to see this female Broad-bodied Chaser in the flower border outside my back door today. This sunny border has always been a favourite spot for dragonflies and she spent some time there in the warm sunshine.
The first activity at my garden pond was today when this male Broad-bodied Chaser was observed just emerged from the water. It is not often that a Chaser is seen prior to the usual damselflies.
