Norfolk Dragon/Damselflies reports/news (1 Viewer)

[alundra82]

At Buxton Heath on 12/7 there were 3 common darters and 2 broad bodied chasers. There was a brown hawker over our Hellesdon garden over Saturday and Sunday and an Emperor dragonfly at St Faiths common on Sunday.

At the LNR north of sycamore crescent woods, both ponds have now been filled in and 5 new ones created among high reeds in an adjacent meadow.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Cantley Marshes

I took a stroll around Cantley Marshes today: the last mile (through the meadow back to Cantley Station) was ALIVE with Dragonflies!
Loads of Brown Hawkers (100+) and similar numbers of Norfolk Hawkers too!
Altogether I saw 5 (6?) species, plus lots of common butterflies

 

[HarassedDad]

Two female southern hawkers were hunting the hedgerows at Wayland Wood carpark this afternoon.

 

[firstreesjohn]

A mitey skimmer ?

One of the male Keeled Skimmers at Beeston Bog today.

This one appears to have half a dozen red mites on its wings and legs. I can’t remember having seen this before.

In vain, I tramped around the Dew Pond- only seeing a pair of Broad-bodied Chasers.

 

[Stratton Birder]

Two male Migrant Hawkers were patrolling the disused railway line between Norwich city centre and Lakenham yesterday evening. Will have to check my back records but these will surely be my earliest records of the species in Norfolk.

Just to set the record straight, this record is erroneous. Have been back to this site twice since and have only seen Southern Hawkers. Thats' what happens when you try too hard to positively ID in flight only dragonflies before you get your eye in for the year. The time of year should have nudged me in the right direction in the first place but I suppose its better to be right later than never.

 

[jimbob]

Just to set the record straight, this record is erroneous. Have been back to this site twice since and have only seen Southern Hawkers. Thats' what happens when you try too hard to positively ID in flight only dragonflies before you get your eye in for the year. The time of year should have nudged me in the right direction in the first place but I suppose its better to be right later than never.

Couldn't agree more, thanks for sharing. You live and you learn. On that subject, I thought I had a Keeled Skimmer pass through my patch earlier this year. After seeing the real deal at Holt Lowes today, I can confirm I had no such thing at Surlingham!
Super range of species today, full list and a few pictures on me blog.

Cheers,
Jim.

 

[HarassedDad]

I had a first today. I was holding a Brown Hawker in the hand to show to folks on a walk I did at Strumpshaw fen today, and as is usual with large hawkers she was cheerfully biting away at my finger. I was busy telling people that "they never pierce the skin" when she did! The first time I've ever had a dragon draw blood.

While Browns were the most common today, I was amazed at how many Norfolk's were still flying: we saw over 10. Lots of Ruddy, a few BTS and Southern. We only saw Azure, Emerald and blue-tailed damsels, although small red-eyed were reported from the lackford run, which we never got to. First Willow have been reported out in Suffolk, but not seen at Strumpshaw yet.

Yesterday I had a Norfolk at Marston Marsh in Norwich, which is my first for that site. (although given they are at Whitlingham and Uea, and it's halfway between them it's quite logical to see one there. No water soldier on site though - which is probably why they're a few years behind those other sites.)

 

[firstreesjohn]

In a rare foray daan saaf (http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2497934&postcount=16910), I hadn’t got lost (http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2497975&postcount=16911 ), but had some hours to kill, as my car was being serviced about 5 miles away. I encountered a couple of people it was nice to meet again and one whom I’d never seen in the flesh.

Hadn’t seen Dave Bryant for years- but great to see him, stoat fellow that he is !

One or two hoped-for Swallowtails were seen- but not by me.

Norfolk Hawkers patrolled the ditches, perching reasonably for some shots, despite strong, overhead sun. (Where else would it be in the middle of the day ?)

 

[robinchittenden]

[QUOTE Norfolk Hawkers patrolled the ditches, perching reasonably for some shots, despite strong, overhead sun. (Where else would it be in the middle of the day ?)[/QUOTE]

Great shots despite being middle of the day. Were they in the meadow trail area?

Thanks

Robin

 

[Stratton Birder]

Wood Green, a rather nice wild area with a couple of large ponds just south east of Long Stratton was productive today and sightings included seven or eight Four-spotted Chasers, five Emperors, three Brown Hawkers, lots of Common Darters, Common and Blue-tailed Damselflies and my first record here of Emerald Damselfly (five males, two females).

 

[firstreesjohn]

[QUOTE Norfolk Hawkers patrolled the ditches, perching reasonably for some shots, despite strong, overhead sun. (Where else would it be in the middle of the day ?)

Great shots despite being middle of the day. Were they in the meadow trail area?

Yes, Robin.

I think the sun would be in a better position in the morning.

 

[jimbob]

I encountered a couple of people it was nice to meet again and one whom I’d never seen in the flesh.

Good to meet you John! Some great pictures of the Hawkers.

Brown Hawker and I think Southern Hawker at a site near Poringland yesterday, just getting my eye in on these again.

Cheers,
Jim.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Cantley Marshes

Lots of Damsels & Dragons flying today! Needless to say, the 'interesting' ones didn't settle for a photo op!

 

[Tideliner]

A single migrant hawker was seen in a woodland ride at Swanton Novers today.

 

[HarassedDad]

Someone reported a red-veined at Strumpshaw this morning in the flower meadow near the bridge over the dyke. By the time I got there the sky had clouded over and I saw hardly any darters, but it might be worth checking if anyone's about tomorrow.

 

[firstreesjohn]

The female Southern Hawker was at Stonepit Heath today.

The male, at Walsey Hills.

It was good to see a few larger dragons, at last.

It was also good to be able to walk all the way around here, without forcing oneself through entangled undergrowth. Sophie’s numerous requests (from NOA HQ) seem finally to have had a result.

 

[Paul Woolnough]

Strumpshaw odonates Sun 29 July pm

Someone reported a red-veined at Strumpshaw this morning in the flower meadow near the bridge over the dyke. By the time I got there the sky had clouded over and I saw hardly any darters, but it might be worth checking if anyone's about tomorrow.

Only saw your report after I got home tonight.

Besides weather did not look promising early this afternoon.
Only walked a short way from the visitor centre.
A few common darters
One or two blue damselflies only
Southern hawker or two
An obliging brown hawker

Lucky to get a clear patch of blue sky, with thunder and heavy rain about. Heavens opened after I had returned to the car.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

See, now this is what you get for having 'lie-ins'! I was up and about Strump / Buck / Hass at 8.30 and had loads of dragons (and a Honey Buzzard!) LOL! The early worm gets the bird!

 

[ben_lewis]

Someone reported a red-veined at Strumpshaw this morning in the flower meadow near the bridge over the dyke. By the time I got there the sky had clouded over and I saw hardly any darters, but it might be worth checking if anyone's about tomorrow.

Typically for Strumpshaw this is the first i have heard of the RVD at Strumpy. Better late than never I suppose!

I'll check it out asap

PS Migrant Hawker now on the wing...

 

[Paul Woolnough]

Blue-tailed the most common damselfly at Strumpshaw along dyke beyond railway level crossing near fen trail.

Black-tailed skimmers in good numbers at Upton Fen, with one aggressive male grasping another a few times. This near the Great Broad, the larger of the two broads on the reserve.)