Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Scarce Chasers emerging in good numbers

A walk along the Nene at Waddenhoe revealed a good number of Scarce Chasers, both in the meadow taking their first flights and in the marginal vegetation having just emerged. Having just flown for the first time, Scarce Chasers tend to land in grasses at ground level which makes getting a decent photo quite hard, and of course they are quite skittish being vulnerable to predation until their wings fully harden. Male and female Banded Demoiselles were also present, although numbers were lower than I expected. Like last year, I also found a single Broad-bodied Chaser along the footpath. I've no idea where it came from, but clearly there is a breeding pond not too far away, so I have some more searching to do.

John Showers reports seeing both male and female Beautiful Demoiselles at Farthinghoe Nature Reserve on 22 May. 

Male Banded Demoiselle

Male Banded Demoiselle

Female Broad-bodied Chaser

Recently emerged Scarce Chaser