More Hairy Dragonflies

After Jim's sighting on Saturday, I went to Ditchford at lunchtime looking for more Hairy Dragonflies. I came across 6 all at the same stage of their emergence and a mix of male and female. At this time of the season, they emerge very low down as the emergent reed growth isn't great, so you need to look close to the water and deep into the reeds.





Female with exuvia
 





Male

Hairy Dragonfly in Northampton town centre

Jim Dunkley has reported finding a female Hairy Dragonfly in Northampton town centre - on the window sill of Clark's shoe shop of all places. Where did she come from and how did she end up there? Jim said she must have been looking for the wi-fi for her sat-nav, to find her way back home. Looking at her colouration, I would say she is a day or two old.

More Large Reds

Since last Saturday, Alison and Terry and Judy have reported Large Reds emerging from their ponds. I was able to find about 15 more today, with several more exuviae. Most were emerging or taking their maiden slights. Popping in to Ditchford in the hope of finding some Hairys proved fruitless, so we will have to wait for another few days perhaps until the weather settles down.

The 2015 seasons gets off to a start

After 2.5 hours of searching in glorious weather, and just as I was about to leave, I found a Large Red Damselfly fluttering up from the reeds. Isn't it always that way!. I spent more time searching for others with the thought that I can't possibly have found the only emerging adult, but I saw no more. This is one day earlier than 2014, and by the end of April last year we had 6 species emerging so my hopes are high for a good start to 2015.