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

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) at Silverdale, Lancashire, and butterflies at Latterbarrow, Cumbria

August 3, 2011:
A small sheltered pool near Silverdale, a known site for Ruddy Darters, was visited for the second time in eight days. Unlike last week when none was seen, this time a single brightly coloured male patrolled the pool margin.


[Ruddy Darter, showing the all-black legs, waisted abdomen and club-shaped tail]

Several Emerald Damselflies perched on the marginal vegetation and two Southern Hawkers flew high amongst the surrounding trees.


[Emerald Damselfly, female. The two diagnostic sub-triangular marks on segment 2 can be seen]

Earlier in the day a visit in ideal conditions to limestone grassland at Latterbarrow was rewarded with a large number of Peacocks nectaring on marjoram along with pristine Red Admirals. Also there was a single Brimstone but it was too late in the season for the Northern Brown Argus which may sometimes be seen here. Of particular interest also, was a nice fresh example of the Small Copper aberration (ab. caeruleopunctata (Tutt)).


[Peacock]



[Red Admiral]


[Brimstone]


[Small Copper ab. caeruleopunctata (Tutt)]

Small Red Damselflies (Ceriagrion tenellum) near Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd

July 12, 2011:
A visit to this small acidic lake a month ago resulted in only two Small Red Damselflies being seen; these were vastly outnumbered by the Large Reds flying at the time. Today the situation was reversed and Small Reds were present in good numbers although very localised. They are most easily separated from Large Reds by having red eyes and red legs. They are also smaller and are weak flyers. Male Small Reds and the females of the all-red bodied (f.erythogastrum) are not easy to separate although the latter are more robust. Females of the partially black f.intermedia were also seen here. Emerald Damselflies were emerging whilst at another small lake in the Conwy valley large number of Black Darters were flying.


[Male]


[Pair, female f.intermedia]


[Female, f.erythrogastrum]


[Female, f.intermedia]


[Large Red Damselfly, male]


[Emerald Damselfly, male, acquiring pruinescence]


[Black Darter, Conwy valley]

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.