Scarce Chasers on the River Avon in Worcestershire

June 30, 2013:
A hot sunny day provided ideal conditions for Scarce Chasers, which here are close to their northern British limit. The males are extremely territorial, returning to the same patch of riverside vegetation when disturbed. They can be inquisitive and will hover close whilst investigating an intruder. Males have a bright blue pruinesence on the abdomen whilst female are orange-brown.



Male Red-eyed Damselflies perched on lily-pads out in the river.

 There were also White-legged Damselflies and an enormous number of Banded Demoiselles.

x

Scarce Chasers on the River Avon

June 20, 2012:
Today, on a slow-flowing section of the river downstream from Pershore there was much dragonfly activity whenever the sun came out. The speciality here is the Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) and at least four males were seen, sometimes patrolling low over the water but mostly perched territorially in riverside vegetation.

Also present were many White-legged and Red-eyed Damselflies, the latter resting out on the floating lily-pads. Many Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies were also in evidence and a profusion of Banded Demoiselles flitted along the river bank, a female of which was seen feeding on a mayfly.

River Avon at the site