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.

Southern Emeralds Are Back Again.

Yesterday under cloudy but bright conditions I made a visit to our only known site for Southern Emerald Damselflies Lestes barbarus on the Isle of Wight.Both scrape-like ponds were well watered and generously covered in reeds and horsetails.Although the sun refused to appear the temperature was about 17C and there was no breeze to talk of.

After a rather prolonged search around the ponds I came across three teneral individuals near to the margins.In time I spotted another four fluttering in from the ponds.During the hour that I was there the total of seven were encountered.

A count of twenty plus was also made of teneral Common Darters that are now emerging from the same ponds.

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.

A First Black-tailed Skimmer.

At Bouldnor Forest ponds today there were good numbers of Large Red Damselflies and many Azure and Blue-tailed Damselflies emerging from the smaller ponds.Broad-bodied Chasers were also evident with several males and one or two females over the water.

It was not until waliking back along the forest track that I saw my first Black-tailed Skimmer of the year.This female was waiting patiently in the sun for prey.

Things Get Going at my Garden Pond.

The fine weather continues and activity at the garden pond has increased.There are now many Large Red Damselflies flying around and egg laying pairs can be seen on the water.Azure Damselflies have emerged over the last few days and today the first adult Broad-bodied Chaser arrived and immerdiately took up position on the perch put there for just this purpose.How long he has to wait for a female remains to be seen.

A Slow Start at a Local Pond.

This time last year the Red-eyed Damselflies were emerging from Dicksons pond near Newport.No such luck this year no doubt because of the poor weather of early spring.In fact no odonata were seen and the only sign of any dragonfly activity was this excuvia found on a bankside reed stem.This is the nymph case of a Broad-bodied Chaser,a common dragonfly at this time.   

Back To Shalfleet Stream.

A return visit to Shalfleet this afternoon resulted in two sightings of Beautiful Demoiselles.This doubled the number that was recorded on the 6th of this month.Still,the weather conditions today were not good in spite of the sunshine.Temperatures were much lower and there was a stiff breeze.Demoiselles it seems like a sunny,warm and sheltered spot with plenty of prey passing by .

In contrast  to the individual seen on Sunday the male pictured below has somewhat matured and despite his brown wings the eyes are darkening and the thorax is showing that metallic blue-green.

Common Blues Sign In.

A visit to the stream at Southford near to the village of Niton today did not produce any sightings.It seems that the Banded Demoiselles are not yet on the wing.However close by is a reservoir and a known spot for Common  Blue Damselflies.Happily I managed to find three individuals all immature/teneral.