A muggy afternoon at Yarmouth today with little activity around the forest ponds. Emperor Dragonflies were the main attraction with several males patrolling the ponds that are all now full of water following periods of heavy rain this month. However, I was glad to see an immature male Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa which is a first sighting of the year for this species.
Not surprisingly dragonfly activity has increased markedly in the last few days at the ponds in Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth. Since my last visit there are noticeably more Black-tailed Skimmers on and around the ponds, vying with the male Broad-bodied Chasers and Emperor Dragonflies. However I was pleased to see up to a dozen teneral Common Darters fluttering away to safety, as they were easily disturbed from the grass tussocks around the pond edges.
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.
