Better Late Than Never.

This  garden pond at Shalflleet has reliably produced a thriving population of Small Red-eyed Damselflies for a number of seasons. This year I am glad to say that males are on the ponds' lily pads.I must admit that I was somewhat concerned as normally the first damselflies are recorded in the last week of June.Today there were at least three males together with a green/black immature male that briefly landed on a pad only to fly off.

All Quiet at Bouldnor.

It was a disappointing visit to Bouldnor Forest today with little in the way of dragonfly activity despite the warm and sunny weather.Yet again no Southern Emerald Damselflies were encountered and the usual species seen in very small numbers.In fact it seems to be the norm this year with low counts of odonata.

A slight improvement was made on my return out of the forest, when along the track I recorded my first Golden-ringed Dragonfly of the year.This male was in hunting mode and I had only a brief glimpse before it took off into the trees.  

First Common Emerald of the Season.

Another visit to Bouldnor today did not record any Southern Emerald Damselflies.The two 'ponds' have no seeable water level due to the recent hot and dry spell.However I was able to record my first Emerald Damselfly,Lestes sponsa of the year.This female was seen a short distance away close to the other scrapes that occupy the site.  

Along the Forest Rides.

With no sightings of Southern Emeralds since the 21st June it was a case of recording the more common odonata in Bouldnor Forest yesterday.The Black-tailed Skimmer normally out in numbers on the forest tracks and at the ponds seems to be very restricted this year and I was pleased to encounter this female hunting for prey. Also along the rides were several immature Southern Hawkers doing the same.

Meanwhile back at the ponds,which by the way are quickly receding in water level,the Common Darters are starting to emerge in numbers. 

No Southern Emeralds Today.

A strong easterly wind was evident today during a visit to Bouldnor Forest at Yarmouth.At the Southern Emerald ponds water is still to be seen although drying out is imminent barring any heavy rainfall.The only dragonfly to be recorded in numbers here was the Ruddy Darter, with several males now taking up position around the ponds.At the other ponds on the site Black-tailed Skimmers dominanted.

Empress Busy at my Garden Pond.

Today at my garden pond I recorded my first ovipositing Emperor Dragonfly of the season.She was watched closely at times by the ponds resident damselflies as she flitted over the frogbit laying eggs in floating dead reed leaves.

Summer Takes a Turn for the Better.

The month of June has been very changeable, but we are promised a period of summery weather this weekend.Yesterday was one such day and a visit to the Southern Emerald site at Yarmouth was rewarded with a lone male in the scrub, of low bramble,gorse, and long grass between the two breeding scrapes.I can only surmise that any emergent that has  come from these scrapes has dispersed and will return when conditions are right.The water levels are high for this time due to this month's  rainfall and I assume that when dry it will suit this species.

The Summer Weather Brings Out The Southern Hawker.

Now that the summer seems to have arrived,at least for now,a first sight of a Southern Hawker this year at Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth.This immature male was seen along the road to the old WW2 Gun Battery.

The Dismal Weather Puts a Hold on Southern Emerald Emergence.

Yesterday was fine,warm, and sunny and one of the very few good days of the month so far.Unfortunately we have not had many of those sort of days recently with cold winds and high rainfall.Sightings of Southern Emerald Damselflies at Yarmouth have been nil since the 6th June when one was recorded.I am still hoping that when summer does arrive numbers will recover.

In a way of consolation, close by the ponds was a female Large Red Damselfly of the form melanotum. I do not know how common this form is,but it was a first for me.

Another New Emperor.

Another Emperor emerged from the garden pond today.A total of nine that I know of so far this season.It must be said that I feared the worst, as after some leg movement while in the process of leaving the exuvia, this individual stopped moving for some time.Anyway it must have been resting, as soon it had turned and continued to get the body ready for the first flight.