James also found a male Variable at Barnwell CP, and I found more at Weldon, confirming that last year's adults successfully bred there. Keep your eyes peeled, and inspect all of those Variables you see just in case.
The Willow Emerald pond at Finedon is all but dried up now, and all of the egg scars appear to have hatched. I don't know what impact this will have on the larvae, so we'll have to wait until late July - August to see what happens. Let's hope we get some good rain in the coming week. Despite that, I found several Broad-bodied Chasers buzzing around the pond including an ovipositing female, and this obliging maturing male on the ride. You may recognise the sapling he s perched on because I shot a Common Darter on the same one last Autumn.
On the Nene, Scarce Chasers are doing well, with many more emerging at Lilford and Waddenhoe - my two constant study sites. A report by Andy Gardner showed photos of immatures Scarce Chasers on the Nene parallel with the A45 at Irthlingborough Lakes. This is the first time that immatures have been seen here and implies successful breeding. Great to see that they are still inching their way towards Northampton.
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| Female Scarce Chaser just before her maiden flight, Lilford |
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| Male Variable Damselfly attempting to mate with a female, Wicksteed Park |
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| Male Variable Damselfly, Wicksteed Park |
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| Ovipositing pair of Variables (right), Wicksteed Park |
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| Maturing male Broad-bodied Chaser, Finedon Pocket Park |
