Intense Dragonfly activity at Foulshaw

August 22, 2011:
Very warm calm weather led to a high degree of dragonfly activity at a small pool here today. A huge number of Black Darters could be seen engaged in a range of activities. At one point four tandem pairs were ovipositing in a damp patch no larger that a dinner plate. Other mating pairs were perched in the vegetation and mature males posed at vantage points by the water margin. However the immatures and females kept some distance away from the water's edge.


Mating pair of Black Darters]






[Black Darter males, above]


[Black Darter, female]

Many Emeralds were also present, most of them males.




[Emerald Damselfly, male, both above]

At least one Brown Hawker was flying as well as a Southern Hawker which lived up to its reputation of buzzing human intruders. An Emperor put in a brief appearance and Commom Blues accounted for the other damselfly species present.lak

A visit to Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria

July 9, 2011:
During the past fortnight since I was last here the season had moved on dragonfly-wise with Black Darters and Emerald Damselflies now emerging. Black Darters seen were all males and mostly immatures with only the occasional one displaying its full colour. Most of the Emerald (Lestes) males had developed the blue pruinescence and these were very frequent in the marginal vegetation at the main pool.




[Emerald Damselflies, the dark brown pterostigma clearly seen, above]

The Black Darters were mostly immature males



Four-spotted Chasers were also flying but now in reduced numbers compared to two weeks ago and there were also several Emperors with at least one female seen ovipositing. Amongst the damselflies, as usual the Azures were by far the commonest here with a smaller number of Common Blue and Blue-tailed present. Flying conditions were very good: warm, sunny and with little or no wind.



[Azure Damselflies]


[Common Blue pair]


[Blue-tailed male]

A good dragonfly day in North Wales

July 4, 2011:
With the period of good weather forecast to end soon, a further visit was made to an idyllic upland lake near Llanrwst, Conwy. Conditions were perfect today with hot sun and no wind.


[Emerald Damselfly]

Seven species were seen: Keeled Skimmers, Black Darters (the first of the season) and very many beautifully fresh Emerald Damselflies. There were also four other damselfly species flying: Common Blue, Azure, Blue-tailed, and Large Red.






[Black Darter, all above]






[Emerald Damselfly, all above]


[Common Blue female, an unusual colour form?]


[Common Blue-tailed Damselfly]


[Large Red Damselfly]


[The dragonfly site]

Despite a very careful search, no Scarce Blue-taileds were located although some had been seen here on a visit three weeks ago.

DRAGONFLY: Lancashire and south Cumbria dragonflies during a brief improvement in the weather

August 15/16, 2010:
Recently in north-west England, the weather has been very poor and there's been an apparent absence of dragonflies. Some warmth and sunshine on Sunday and Monday offered promise, however. At Brockholes Wetlands (Lancashire) on Sunday, many Brown Hawkers (Aeshna grandis) were flying. Unfortunately these never seem to settle enabling a photo to be taken although one female was seen ovipositing onto pondweed (Potamogeton sp) at one of the small pools.



[Brown Hawker ovipositing, Brockholes]

There was also a large number of Common Darters (Sympetrum striolatum) and, in contrast to the Brown Hawkers, these would usually perch accommodatingly. Many Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathigerum), several Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta), a Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) and an Emperor (Anax imperator) were also seen.



[Male Common Darters, Brockholes]

On an oak tree at the woodland’s edge there were Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) butterflies; these are often elusive and hard to see. Many of the commoner species visited flowers, especially thistles.


[Purple Hairstreak, Brockholes]

At Foulshaw Moss (south Cumbria) on the following day, the main interest was the Black Darters (Sympetrum danae) present in abundance which is often a feature of the site in late summer. Like their Common relative they were also approachable but not so was a solitary Southern Hawker which, although showing curiosity, never settled. Many Common Blue and Emerald Damselflies (Lestes sponsa) active amongst the fringing water plants.


[Pool at Foulshaw]



[Male Black Darters, Foulshaw]


[Emerald Damselflies, Foulshaw]


[Emerald Damselfly, Foulshaw]

Not too far away is the small secluded tarn at Barkbooth. Here an Emperor patrolled the water and there were also two very inquisitive Southern Hawkers and many of the same two species of damselfly as at Foulshaw.


[The small tarn, Barkbooth]


[An inquisitive Southern Hawker, Barkbooth]

DRAGONFLY: Black Darters and Emerald Damselflies at Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria

August 2, 2010:
Today, in one of the few local sunny spells for quite a long while, Black Darters and Emerald Damselflies were flying in good numbers, The Black Darters were mostly males but Emerald Damselflies ranged from emergent tenerals to mature ones. Common Blue, and Blue-tailed, Damselflies were also present, the former in large numbers, as well as an occasional Common Darter and a single patrolling Emperor.

[Black Darter, males, below]




[Emerald Damselflies]