Black-tailed Skimmers return to Ditchford Lakes & Meadows

Ditchford Lakes & Meadows Wildlife Trust Reserve is one of my long-term regular monitoring sites. I used to find many emerging Black-tailed Skimmers and exuviae, but since 2011, it has effectively disappeared with only single adults recorded every so often. During my lunchtime walk on 3 June, I found several emerging adults and a few more exuviae. This is great news, but I can't explain why they disappeared or why they have suddenly returned. The site hasn't changed much in the past 8 years, in fact if anything it has probably become less like a typical BtS site than it was before. Perhaps they have adapted to breed in more overgrown habitats with few of the traditional male habitat requirements? Whatever, its great news for the site.

I also saw an immature Scarce Chaser, which following increasing records of this species in the area over the last few years suggests they have taken to breeding locally.

Many Hairy Dragonflies, an Emperor (and lots of exuviae) and loads for Four-spots were among the usual damselflies.

Tandem and male Red-eyed Damselflies sharing their territory

Recently emerged Four-spotted Chaser

Emerging Black-tailed Skimmer