Norfolk Dragon/Damselflies reports/news (1 Viewer)

[davebuggin]

Saw my first ever Southern Emeralds today at Winterton North Dunes, with 7 on the northern-most pool north of concrete blocks plus 1+ on the northern-most pool south of the concrete blocks. Plenty of Emeralds too and Ruddy and Common Darter. Saw a fair few Hawkers, confirming Southern and Migrant.

The southerns are fantastic damsels chris,and completely different from the common emerald,There was only two present when i visited a few weeks back.Saw common hawker on the pool before the concrete blocks patrolling the double pond.

 

[ChrisBish]

I was surprised at just how obvious the Southerns were Dave!

So, my interest in dragonflies has perhaps happened a little late this year and I believe it's too late for Common Hawker, Scarce Emerald and Small Red Damsel now - is this correct?

Are Willow Emeralds still being seen at Strumpshaw? Also, are Black Darters still flying? If so where is the best place to look for them?

Thanks for any info!

Chris

 

[davebuggin]

I was surprised at just how obvious the Southerns were Dave!

So, my interest in dragonflies has perhaps happened a little late this year and I believe it's too late for Common Hawker, Scarce Emerald and Small Red Damsel now - is this correct?

Are Willow Emeralds still being seen at Strumpshaw? Also, are Black Darters still flying? If so where is the best place to look for them?

Thanks for any info!

Chris

Common hawker are on the wing and can be seen at winterton.willow emeralds and black darters all about,i found black darters and willow emeralds on my week off in september last year,i started late last year as well.I have found black darters at roydon common around the pond there,scarce emeralds at thompson,although hard to find once you get your eye in they are easy to spot.Willow emeralds are quite easy to find at strump as for small red i have visited scarning fen 3 times and not seen one,despite getting good info from fellow dragon watchers.

 

[ChrisBish]

Due to lack of time, I had to choose between looking for the Wryneck or looking for Willow Emeralds at Strumpshaw Fen this afternoon. Fortunately, my decision to look for my first ever Willow Emeralds paid off with at least 11 different individuals, including 7 in one tree!! The 3 photos below are all different WE's, while the Ruddy Darter was very showy on the hand rail of the wooden bridge.

 

[robinchittenden]

Western Willow Spreadwings

Anyone know exactly where the Western Willow Spreadwings (Willow Emerald Damselflies) are by River Yare, Cringleford, Norwich?

Thanks for any info

Robin

[email protected]

 

[Tractorboy69]

Anyone know exactly where the Western Willow Spreadwings (Willow Emerald Damselflies) are by River Yare, Cringleford, Norwich?

Thanks for any info

Robin

[email protected]

Robin

Went there y'day and found them all along the stretch of the Yare between the A11 bridge and the UEA.

I parked in the small car park opposite the entrance to Waitrose and walking along found quite a few pairs in tandem at various places I stopped, but the largest concentration, and the easiest to photograph were at the far end of the boardwalk just before you reach the UEA broad where there is a small pool on the left with a viewing platform, and there were numerous singles and pairs in tandem around the pool.

A few pics below, including a close-up of a female ovipositing into the bark of a willow.

Simon

 

[robinchittenden]

Robin

Went there y'day and found them all along the stretch of the Yare between the A11 bridge and the UEA.

I parked in the small car park opposite the entrance to Waitrose and walking along found quite a few pairs in tandem at various places I stopped, but the largest concentration, and the easiest to photograph were at the far end of the boardwalk just before you reach the UEA broad where there is a small pool on the left with a viewing platform, and there were numerous singles and pairs in tandem around the pool.

A few pics below, including a close-up of a female ovipositing into the bark of a willow.

Simon

Thanks Simon.

For anyone wanting to have search you could access the area from the small car p[ark at the west end of North Park Avenue. Cross Bluebell Road and take footpath down to the broad at UEA, continue along the board-walk and take first left towards Cringleford & River Yare. The small pool Simon mentions is immediately on your right.

Many have been seen by the ditches just south of there too.

Thanks again

Robin

 

[robinchittenden]

Migrant Spreadwing (Lestes barbarus) aka Southern Emerald Damselfly

3/9/21013

Migrant Spreadwing (Lestes barbarus) aka Southern Emerald Damselfly.

Evidence of breeding at Winterton.

 

[Tideliner]

Lets keep to the traditional names of species. Just because someone from across the Irish Sea thought up some new names one day when he had nothing better to do does not mean everyone needs to use them. A name is used to ID a species , but it only work if we all understand what it means so Southern emerald [Lestes barbarus ]is and for me always will be its correct name.

 

[davebuggin]

3/9/21013

Migrant Spreadwing (Lestes barbarus) aka Southern Emerald Damselfly.

Evidence of breeding at Winterton.

Viewed them ovipositing last year,hopefully they are here to stay

 

[ben_lewis]

I know Willow Emeralds have been seen at UEA broad now, but I finally saw my first 'away from Strumpshaw' individual last week -a female at Surlingham Church Marsh, in the hedge by the gun club.
They have taken their time but do seem to be moving this year finally.
Not sure of total numbers at Strumpy this year but peak counts of 35-50 have been received so I'm guessing the ditch may have reached its carrying capacity now, hence the move into the wider countryside?

 

[Tideliner]

Quite a few common darters still out at Stiffkey yesterday. Saw about 20 widely scattered around the fen and ajacent fresh marsh.

 

[HarassedDad]

Apparently large red reported from suffolk last weekend, while the current saharan dust raises the possibility of a vagrant hawker getting blown over. So it's nearly dragonfly season.

 

[Duke-Maiden]

Damselfly emergence today - lots of Large Red emerging in a friends pond in central Norwich

 

[ChrisBish]

Damselfly emergence today - lots of Large Red emerging in a friends pond in central Norwich

Good to hear, tho none in my garden yet. Pretty sure I saw a larva at the surface this evening so fingers crossed for the weekend...

 

[ChrisBish]

Finally had 3 Large Red Damselflies emerge from our "wildlife pond" yesterday, only 13 days after the first one last year! Was great to actually watch one emerging and will try to remember to post some photos soon...

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Large Reds

Several on the wing at Strumpshaw Fen today....

 

[Stratton Birder]

There was an immature male Common Blue Damselfly and a mature female Azure Damselfly of the green form at Rollesby Bridge this afternoon.

 

[Tideliner]

Both 4 spot and Broad body chasers out todau at Swanton Novers.

 

[davebuggin]

One hairy dragonfly spotted yesterday at upton fen.