Dragonflies 2017 (1 Viewer)

string boozel · Aug 9, 2017

I know that there is still plenty of life left in this year's dragonfly season but barring anything special (and I'm still optimistic about Willow Emeralds) I've probably seen all the species in the county that I'm going to. Overall it's been a good year with many of the species emerging earlier than usual and often in good numbers. My species total is higher than last year but I have tailored my visits to likely sites at a more optimum time for insect watching. All my species lists include stuff seen only in the modern county of Northamptonshire and so the Variable Damsels at Maxey don't feature.

I'm listing the species in the order that I saw them and in addition giving the first date on which they were recorded. This year I managed to photograph all but one of the species, the camera shy one being Hairy Dragonfly. Next year I'm really going to have to stake out a likely site and stay there until one poses!

1/ Large Red Damsel. One kicked off the season on the 19th of April when a female was seen near to Corby Sewage Works.

2/ Banded Demoiselle. First recorded near Oundle on the 7th of May.

3/ Hairy Dragonfly. Another species, one of five, first seen near Oundle on the 7th of May.

4/ Red-eyed Damsel. Noted at Barnwell Country Park 7th of May.

5/ Blue-tailed Damsel. Barnwell CP 7th of May.

6/ Common Blue Damsel. Barnwell CP 7th of May.

string boozel · Aug 9, 2017

The second batch.

7/ Azure Damsel. Priors Hall 14th of May.

8/ Four-spotted Chaser. Priors Hall 14th of May.

9/ Scarce Chaser. Oundle 17th of May. A male at Deene Lake was also noteworthy as my first one away from the Nene.

10/White-legged Damsel. Gretton Weir 28th of May. A good year for this species with sightings at eight sites.

11/ Beautiful Demoiselle. Brampton Fisheries 1st of June.

string boozel · Aug 9, 2017

Yet more...

12/Emperor. Southwood, Corby 7th of June.

13/ Black-tailed Skimmer. Oundle 12th of June.

14/ Broad-bodied Chaser. Harry's Park Wood 17th of June.

15/ Southern Hawker. Harry's Park Wood 17th of June.

16/ Small Red-eyed Damsel. Weldon 21st of June. Another species seemingly doing well with records from four sites.

string boozel · Aug 9, 2017

The last batch (though plenty of room left for those Willow Emeralds!)

17/ Ruddy Darter. Near Deenethorpe 25th of June.

18/ Common Darter. Priors Hall 25th of June.

19/ Emerald Damsel. Priors Hall 25th of June.

20/ Brown Hawker. Brookfield Plantation, Corby 2nd of July.

21/ Migrant Hawker. Near Deenethorpe Airfield 30th of July.

You know I can't do one of these review type thingies without making a mistake, in the last post I put a picture of a Brown Hawker instead of a Broad-bodied Chaser, I've swapped them around here. Sorry about that!

string boozel · Aug 24, 2017

Our county recorder has found the first Willow Emerald of the year at Finedon today so perhaps number 22 may yet make it on to the list. Here's hoping!

James.

string boozel · Aug 25, 2017

Dipped on the Willows at Finedon today but the county recorder saw five, some lovely photos on the Northants Dragonflies site.

James.

string boozel · Aug 31, 2017

Ladies and gentlemen I present for your perusal number 22.

22/ Willow Emerald. Finedon Pocket Park 31st of August. On only my second visit a friend and I found a single example within about two minutes of getting there. Given that it flew off after about five minutes and could not be refound I think that we should consider ourselves lucky. A new species and in the county too, not a bad afternoon!

James.

string boozel · Sep 19, 2017

Generally speaking my camera normally doesn't allow me to capture any flight shots but over the last couple of days I've managed a few pictures of those late season staples Common Darter and Migrant Hawker.

James.

string boozel · Oct 2, 2017

A pleasant surprise today with the discovery of a male Banded Demoiselle at Weldon, my latest ever.

James.

string boozel · Oct 6, 2017

A quick update on the Banded Demoiselle situation, at least one and probably two males and a female at Weldon this afternoon.

James

string boozel · Oct 15, 2017

An update on the Banded situation at Weldon, two males and a female this afternoon. Not sure how late this stands nationally but it's pretty late for me.

James.

patkin · Oct 16, 2017

nice to see british dragons again. I,ve been away quite a few years, thanks.

string boozel · Oct 24, 2017

Thanks patkin, I'm sure there are some cracking dragons to look at in Australia but here's a few more images from this year to stir up a few more memories.

James.

string boozel · Oct 31, 2017

It looks as if we're a couple of Common Darter sightings away from season's end so I thought that I would finish with my favourite picture from the year.

James.

string boozel · Nov 19, 2017

This season keeps on giving and giving with 15 Common Darters showing at Priors Hall near Weldon on the 19th of November.

James.

BimmyB · Nov 20, 2017

I'll add to that with news of a Southern Hawker ovipositing, while a male flew nearby in a wood in Hampshire on 15th November, never seen this species as late as that.

string boozel · Nov 20, 2017

That's an excellent record, I think the BDS might like to know.

James.

BimmyB · Nov 21, 2017

string boozel said:
That's an excellent record, I think the BDS might like to know.

James.

They will as soon as I get myself sorted out, got a relatively rubbish photo of it too.

string boozel · Nov 21, 2017

I'm sure they will appreciate it, and any photo of a hawker's a challenge, many of mine don't even qualify for rubbish!

James.

Dragonflies 2017 (1 Viewer)

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