Norfolk Dragon/Damselflies reports/news (1 Viewer)

[Robert S J Smith]

Are small red eyed damselflies still present at strumpshaw?

Also, what about common hawkers at winterton? Are they still present if so where's the best place to see them?

Thinking about having a dragonfly day this week starting the day off in Essex get the southern migrants then returning to east Norfolk to grab a few more like the willow emeralds.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

New site for dragons!

I found a little corner of Blofield Heath that I'd neglected all year: in ten minutes there this am I saw seven species of Dragonfly and a White Admiral! Wowser!
Here are a few pictures: if I've got any wrong, do let me know! I reckon these are a Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker & Ruddy Darter

 

[James Emerson]

I found a little corner of Blofield Heath that I'd neglected all year: in ten minutes there this am I saw seven species of Dragonfly and a White Admiral! Wowser!
Here are a few pictures: if I've got any wrong, do let me know! I reckon these are a Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker & Ruddy Darter

The last picture looks like a female Common Darter to me. The legs are yellow and black (just black in Ruddy), paler brown & green eyes (darker in Ruddy) and the pattern on the upper segments looks right for Common.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

The last picture looks like a female Common Darter to me. The legs are yellow and black (just black in Ruddy), paler brown & green eyes (darker in Ruddy) and the pattern on the upper segments looks right for Common.

Thanks James: I noticed the yellow and even saw that it was a discriminator in my DF book! Temporary mental aberation!

 

[ben_lewis]

Are small red eyed damselflies still present at strumpshaw?

Also, what about common hawkers at winterton? Are they still present if so where's the best place to see them?

Yes, Small red eyes still present at Strumpshaw. The best place is the reception hide area, either from the hide of in the pool close to the hide. I have also seen them in the Willow Emerald ditch, near boardwalk a few weeks ago. It was tricky to be sure of the species but it looked like there were good numbers of RE damsels (130+!) from reception, unfortunately without a scope I could not be sure of sp but I suspect they were small.

As far as I'm aware Common Hawker is still sometimes seen at Winterton Dunes, I have had no luck at all with this species in the past couple of summers, so cant help any more than this. However I'd love to know if it is still present there, not seen CH in Norfolk yet.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

This is why Strump is my favourite reserve!

I've been trying to get a head-on shot for yonks! Southern Hawker by the dipping pool

 

[tonyfenn]

Smashing photo

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Thanks Tony!

 

[ben_lewis]

Cracking photo David, I have been trying to get one like this for a while too...unsuccessfully!

I can confirm, having been out on the boat that all (that I saw) the red eyes in front of reception are indeed Small Red Eyed Damselflies, so a very good colony is present currently at Strumpshaw.

 

[Robert S J Smith]

Cracking photo David, I have been trying to get one like this for a while too...unsuccessfully!

I can confirm, having been out on the boat that all (that I saw) the red eyes in front of reception are indeed Small Red Eyed Damselflies, so a very good colony is present currently at Strumpshaw.

Thanks Ben!

Looking like I'll be coming over next Tuesday.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Small Red-eyed Damselflies

About 100 flying around in front of the reception hide this afternoon: I managed a reasonable photo at the small pond dipping pool to the right...

 

[Stratton Birder]

There was a good emergence of Migrant Hawkers locally on the 14th with c50 on the wing at Smockmill Common (TM218981) + one Brown Hawker and four Banded Demoiselles.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Wonderful the effect the Sun has!

Dragons & Damsels everywhere at Strumpshaw today: all four large Hawkers in good numbers, thousands of Common Darters, four Banded Demoiselles and lots of Small Red-eyed Damsels.
No Willow Emeralds, though.... Anybody seen any this year?

 

[ben_lewis]

No Willow Emeralds, though.... Anybody seen any this year?

I have not yet... but someone did see one in the usual place on Wednesday this week.

 

[dendroica]

Dragons & Damsels everywhere at Strumpshaw today: all four large Hawkers in good numbers, thousands of Common Darters, four Banded Demoiselles and lots of Small Red-eyed Damsels.
No Willow Emeralds, though.... Anybody seen any this year?

Not yet, although not really had the opportunity recently. The photos up thread look ok for Small Red-eyed Damsel (although it's hard to tell), but aren't these Red-eyed Damsels? Segment 10 looks clear blue and I think the blue lacks the tapered profile on the underside that I recall?? Great pics as usual though!

 

[dendroica]

There was a good emergence of Migrant Hawkers locally on the 14th with c50 on the wing at Smockmill Common (TM218981) + one Brown Hawker and four Banded Demoiselles.

I noticed a sudden spike in Migrant Hawkers numbers too, although not as great a number as you. Last weekend there was c.20 along the field edge behind my house and in the week a couple in my garden.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Thanks for the input: always very welcome!
They are indeed Red-eyed Damsels (which, if you pass your cursor over the pix, you'll see is what they're labelled!)
My fault: I should've been more exact in my somewhat hurried write up....
(Another tip that seems worthwhile is that Smalls seem to prefer sitting on horizontal water-plants, rather than climbing leaves!)

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Good day for Damsels

Still no sign of a Willow Emerald at Strump, but good comparison shots of a Small Red-eyed and a Red-eyed.
Is the head on job a female Black-tailed Skimmer?

 

[ben_lewis]

Still no sign of a Willow Emerald at Strump,

Just got back from a quick look at Strumpshaw in blistering heat.
I'm afraid they were there David, just sticking out as much as they always do ie tricky little buggers!
I saw two in a 20 min search, my first sightings of the year.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Ouch!

Hope you left a red cardboard arrow Ben! LOL!