End of August update

Not great weather recently, so limited opportunities to get out dragonfly spotting. Still, today was good, so at the end of a shopping trip to Riverside Retail Park on the A45 near Northampton, I popped to the Abingdon Meadow pond. Many Migrant Hawkers were flying in the fields and a few at territory, along with a couple of Brown Hawkers. Common Darters were also present including an ovipositing pair. Of more interest were the 20 or so Small Red-eyed Damselflies, that are a regular sight here. Unfortunately, the pond margins are becoming too overgrown and soon there won't be any viewing gaps left.

We took a walk around Summer Leys in the afternoon, and were joined by 100+ Migrant Hawkers along the paths, feeding in the hedgerows. I always enjoy seeing Migrants swarming in the late summer sun. A few Brown Hawkers were present and some Common Darters and a single Ruddy Darter. Damselfly-wise, we only saw a few Common Blues including several in-cop.

Female Common Darter

Migrant Hawker

Migrant Hawker

Male Common Darter

Male Ruddy Darter

  

Migrant Hawkers start their take-over

Ditchford was buzzing with Migrant Hawkers this morning, and I guess there were around 80 males and at least 3 mating pairs. Activity was good in the sunny periods which also produced a single Emperor, many Common Blues and Blue-tails and a couple of Common Darters. A surprise was a single female Emerald Damselfly. This species is a regular visitor here, but doesn't breed.

End of July Update

As summer reaches its peak, we are just about at that time where the number of species has reached a maximum.

At Irthlingborough Lakes on Saturday 26 July, there were plenty of Black-tailed Skimmers, Ruddy Darters, Brown Hawkers, the usual damselflies and a few Emperors. I didn't see any adults, but found many Migrant Hawker exuviae although I have had a few adults buzzing around my garden.

At Tywell, Broad-bodied Chasers are still in evidence with a few Ruddy Darters and Emerald Damselflies.

The River Ise still has good numbers of White-legged Damselflies, both at Burton Latimer Pocket Park and the bridge at Harrowden. Many pairs ovipositing and in-cop at both sites. At the pocket park were also many Common Darters, Brown Hawkers, and Banded Demoiselle.

Ruddy Darter at Irthlingborough Lakes

Black-tailed Skimmer at Irthlingborough Lakes

Tandem White-legged Damselflies on the River Ise

Mating White-legged Damselflies

Male White-legged Damselfly

Broad-bodied Chaser at Twywell Hills & Dales