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.
Dragonfly sightings seem to have been somewhat meagre this season.Therefore I was pleased to see this male Migrant Hawker in my garden yesterday.The other species predominent at the moment is the Common Darter that has spread itself throughout the garden.At my pond all is quiet with a male Common Darter on station,whereas the once common Azure Damselfly is all but gone.
Last Saturday was bright with sunny spells and the dragonflies at the ponds in Bouldnor Forest were active.The most prominent species of the day was the Emerald Damselfly,with several males to be seen.Among the others on show were a pair of mating Black-tailed Skimmers and Broad-bodied Chasers, with numerous emerging Common Darters, a couple of Blue-tailed Damselflies,a mature male Ruddy Darter, and Emperor Dragonflies.A first of the season sighting was this immature Southern Hawker.
A very bright,sunny, and warm afternoon in Bouldnor Forest today which certainly encouraged plenty of activity at the ponds. This resulted in a first sight of the year of a female Emerald Damselfly together with another first of the season,a male Black-tailed Skimmer. Emperor Dragonflies were very prominent,especially the males patrolling the ponds.
Over the last few days Broad-bodied Chasers have been very active in and around my garden pond. More than one female have oviposited in the pond with males visiting and taking station close by. This immature male in particular has spent some time in the sunny flower border outside my back door and as can be seen is maturing.
A visit to the ponds in Bouldnor Forest today was rewarded with the first Common Darter of the year.At least two were observed flying away from the pond edge and into the surrounding gorse. Broad-bodied Chasers were also evident with several males occupying the array of shallow ponds at the site. This male Four-spotted Chaser was seen,patrolling his section of a pond. Other species recorded were Azure,Large Red, and Blue Tailed Damselflies.
With the visit of two female Broad-bodied Chasers to my garden pond a couple of days ago,it is not surprising that today a first male Chaser spent some time at the pond. Although perhaps not fully mature this male is no doubt on the lookout for females.
We are currently enjoying a period of warm,sunny weather and the dragonflies are responding with plenty of activity at my garden pond. Apart from the Large Red Damselflies there were at least two Broad-bodied Chasers seen today in the garden. Both were female and they spent some time in sunny spots and at the pond.
