UK dragonfly & damselfly sightings 2020 (2 Viewers)

[aeshna5]

Lesser Emperor washed up dead on a beach in the Scilly Isles at the weekend. Presumably a fairly recent demise given that it was sufficiently intact to be recognisable. https://twitter.com/BDSdragonflies/status/1270723785046384644

Rather sad end! I'm surprised more weren't reported in May along with Red-veined Darters.

 

[pdwinter]

There were some Red-veined Darters on Southampton Common (model) boating lake today (16th June).

I see from this website https://isleofwightdragons.blogspot.com/ that the Southern Emeralds have been flying for quite a while

 

[Farnboro John]

There were some Red-veined Darters on Southampton Common (model) boating lake today (16th June).

I see from this website https://isleofwightdragons.blogspot.com/ that the Southern Emeralds have been flying for quite a while

Is that the round concrete lake? I went there for them once a few years ago.

John

 

[pdwinter]

Is that the round concrete lake? I went there for them once a few years ago.

John

That's the one John
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5882062

 

[Farnboro John]

Thanks Paul!

John

 

[jimb]

Do you think they could be breeding there or migrants Paul? There has been two at the usual reservoir on the Isle of Wight during the last week. Again a possible local breeding site as ovipositing seen there during the last two years.

 

[Farnboro John]

This year's news from Longham Lakes is what I'm waiting for!

John

 

[pdwinter]

Do you think they could be breeding there or migrants Paul? There has been two at the usual reservoir on the Isle of Wight during the last week. Again a possible local breeding site as ovipositing seen there during the last two years.

They have bred on the Common - I found a teneral on the grass next to the lake on 11.08.17 - but I suspect you meen "persistent" breeding in that they mature locally and then produce another generation.

It's a difficult site to monitor because of all the footfall around the (small) lake and also that I'm the only one who is interested in recording dragonflies on Southampton Common

This was my first visit to the common this year as I have avoided overcrowded places so I had no chance to check for any tenerals or emergents and I don't have permission to get in the lake to try to find exuviae.

There are no fish in the lake - it is drained each winter - so there would be an opportunity for the larvae to survive the winter if the water was warm enough.

When I used to watch dragonflies at Badminston Gravel Pit nearer to the Hants coast there was often successful breeding from the insects that arrived in late May hrough June but I never saw a red male in the autumn - they all dispersed before maturity.

That answer was a bit of a long-winded "No" !

Paul

 

[Clive Watson]

This year's news from Longham Lakes is what I'm waiting for!

John

Is this a regular site for them? (A species I've still never seen. Tried Badminston once- failed).

 

[Bismarck Honeyeater]

This year's news from Longham Lakes is what I'm waiting for!

John

You and me both. When would you think they will emerge, if at all?

 

[Farnboro John]

Is this a regular site for them? (A species I've still never seen. Tried Badminston once- failed).

Seems to be solid for both Red-veined Darter and Lesser Emperor these days.

I've just managed to miss that Broad Scarlet twice - Gone with the Wind by the time I got there.

You and me both. When would you think they will emerge, if at all?

Going by the dates of the dip photos, in the next couple of weeks.....

John

Pictures of Red-veined Darter(dozens there last year) and rubbish Lesser Emperor from last year, plus 2017 Lesser Emperor, all at Longham Lakes.

 

[Clive Watson]

Very early visit to Thursley yesterday to try and find emerging or teneral Brilliant Emeralds. Complete disaster, nothing emerging and no Emeralds at all. Maybe a bit late? This stunning Brown Hawker was some consolation.

 

[Surreybirder]

Nice ruddy darter in the garden yesterday along with a beautiful demoiselle; and a broad-bodied chaser. The white-legged damselfly is from our local wildlife centre today - not the greatest of shots.
PS just found a dead southern hawker. It was lying on our lawn next to the exuvia. I wonder what happened.

 

[Farnboro John]

Very early visit to Thursley yesterday to try and find emerging or teneral Brilliant Emeralds. Complete disaster, nothing emerging and no Emeralds at all. Maybe a bit late? This stunning Brown Hawker was some consolation.

Possibly still too early, as I was at the Moat yesterday afternoon and while there were no Brilliants, there were plenty of Downies still. There are however Brilliant Emeralds on the Basingstoke Canal between Eelmoor and Claycart (where the canal is near Farnborough Airport)

John

 

[pdwinter]

Small Red-eyed Damselfies

There were quite a few on Southampton Common boating lake today. My earliest for the UK but a week behind the VC11 record. Red-veined Darters still ovopositing!

 

[Clive Watson]

Possibly still too early, as I was at the Moat yesterday afternoon and while there were no Brilliants, there were plenty of Downies still. There are however Brilliant Emeralds on the Basingstoke Canal between Eelmoor and Claycart (where the canal is near Farnborough Airport)

John

I was trying to follow in the footsteps of Marc Heath who had them emerging on 2/6/18. However Brooks/Cham/Lewington suggests peak emergence is late June. Maybe I'll give it another go, although the weather after today doesn't look too good.

 

[aeshna5]

There were quite a few on Southampton Common boating lake today. My earliest for the UK but a week behind the VC11 record. Red-veined Darters still ovopositing!

I had mine 2 days ago in west London at a couple of local sites around Northolt. Today noticed 4 ovipositing pairs.

 

[Surreybirder]

First common darter of the year for me today.

 

[aeshna5]

First common darter of the year for me today.

I had my earliest ever this year with newly emerged Common & Ruddy Darters about 3 weeks ago.

 

[Puffins4Life]

I saw this dragonfly today in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. But I do not know what it is.