Wiltshire Dragonfly News

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) in Wiltshire!

2011-12-02T14:53:00.001Z

I recently received a report [which I have now confirmed] of a Hairy Dragonfly seen back on 22nd May by Tom Smith. This was during a joint Wilts/Dorset Butterfly Conservation survey of parts of Chase Woods, right in the far South-west of the county. The sighting was just within Wiltshire along Bridmore Ride. This is the first recent record of the species in Wiltshire, the last being back in the early 1960's at Braydon Pond! Whether this is a wandering individual or the start of a possible colony remains to be seen. There is a golf course adjacent with water features and drainage ditches; Brachytron is expanding it's range nationally so .....watch this space!

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) Male

2011-11-28T14:37:00.001Z

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) Male, originally uploaded by Rezamink.

One of the Common Darters Damian saw on Friday 25th November at Chippenham Pond.
Maybe the last as we had a frost last night...?

Still on the wing!

2011-11-25T12:19:00.001Z

Damian Pinguey just phoned to say he's watching 4 male Common Darters still flying at the Pond behind the Volvo garage off the A4 in Chippenham. Will check the database later but getting very close to the latest date....!

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) Pair

2011-11-22T13:23:00.001Z

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) Pair, originally uploaded by Rezamink.

Damian Pinguey visited The Pond at Chippenham on Saturday where he found this mating pair of Common Darters and also a patrolling Migrant Hawker [which failed to stop and be photographed!].

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) ♂.

2011-11-18T17:08:00.001Z

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) ♂., originally uploaded by od0man.

The male Southern Hawker at rest [plus other shots of him on my photostream].

Late Fliers

2011-11-18T17:06:00.000Z

First of all, apologies for the lack of reports through the summer; various reasons - not least of which was the rubbish summer we had!
I hope to present a round-up some time during the Winter.
Yesterday I and Chris Beard, a fellow photographer, visited Savernake Forest looking for subjects to point our lenses at - fungi and, hopefully, Odonata! Well we never got as far as the fungi as we were distracted early on at the Column Pool by several mature male Common Darters and a late Southern Hawker male! I even coaxed the Hawker onto my finger where I'm sure he soaked up the warmth which enabled him to continue hunting!
Not the latest date for Southern Hawker, but getting close!

Scarce Chaser on the Salisbury Avon!

2011-06-24T21:21:00.000+01:00

I have just received a record from the Kent odonata recorders [John and Gill Brook], who were visiting the area on 29th May. They were walking the Avon Valley Path just West of Woodfalls and spotted a female Scarce Chaser by the side of the path! This is only 1.5kms East of the Salisbury Avon, which suggests the population on this river in Hampshire may be expanding Northwards! I ask that anyone who lives or visits the area has a look at the river here to see if they are on territory there. I will try and get down but it's at the opposite end of the county to me [60 odd miles away!!] Many thanks to Jill for adding this important sighting to the Living Records website:o)

School Dragonfly Recording Group

2011-06-24T10:30:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I was delighted to receive a letter from Sherston C 0f E Primary School. The Headteacher, Nicholas Bowditch, explained that they have recently formed a dragonfly recording group as part of their studies of the school pond they created just over a year ago. Their school recorder, Theo Griffin, has been entering observations on the BDS form and I received the first of these with the letter.
This is doubly exciting - not only that a school is taking specific interest in odonata but that these records, of 3 species, constitute the first sightings from that particular 10k square for the current Atlas Project time period!
I look forward to more records and observations from them - perhaps we have some professional naturalists in the making...:o)

11th June 2011.

2011-06-15T20:57:00.001+01:00

Rather belated in adding this - but Damian Pinguey visited the pond at Chippenham on Saturday where, as well as a Broad-bodied Chaser,4-spot Chaser, Azure and Blue-tailed Damsels, he saw a semi-mature Black-tailed Skimmer. The first to be reported to me this year though no doubt there are plenty about - particularly in the CWP. Surprisingly there was no Emperor present as they are usually a constant feature at the pond at this time of year! This mixed weather is possibly having some odd effects on emergences.

19th May 2011

2011-05-23T19:44:00.001+01:00

Records sent in by Paul Winter from Cadnam Common [in modern Hampshire but in VC8 for recording purposes] included territorial male Emperor Dragonflies clashing and a mature male Keeled Skimmer on territory! Both new for the year. Paul's photo can be seen at: http://patchwatch.blogspot.com/

Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) ♀.

2011-05-13T22:42:00.001+01:00

Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) ♀., originally uploaded by od0man.

A late afternoon visit, in sun, to Conigre Mead nature reserve, Melksham produced 4 male and 2 female Scarce Chasers. All tenerals, these were my first for the year. It will be interesting to see if the work on the Sainsbury's extension will affect their recent local colonisation of the Bristol Avon through Melksham. But I fear that the proposed route of the Wilts & Berks Canal restoration will have a more profound impact...
Also present were a few teneral White-legged Damselflies, a few Azure Damsels and many roosting Banded Demoiselles.

White-legged Damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes)Teneral ♂.

2011-05-07T23:56:00.002+01:00

White-legged Damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes)Teneral ♂., originally uploaded by od0man.

Another new species for the year! I found 3 females, freshly emerged, and this teneral male at Tockenham Reservoir near Wootton Bassett. Still water is an unusual habitat for this species but they may have come from the small feeder stream running into the lake.

Friday 6th May 2011.

2011-05-07T00:15:00.000+01:00

During my lunch break today I visited a stretch of the River Marden, a tributary of the Bristol Avon. Rob Turner, while bird ringing here last year, saw a Golden-ringed Dragonfly! I thought that if that species was here then it was a good bet that Beautiful Demoiselle ought to be too - and so it proved to be. I found 5 males and 9 females, all immature in herbage adjacent to the river. This stretch is near the Calne Sewage Treatment Works and, despite that, is a very picturesque location!
So I was pleased to add a new dot to the Wiltshire map - and possibly the first sighting of this species this year.

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo).Immature ♂.

2011-05-07T00:08:00.001+01:00

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo).Immature ♂., originally uploaded by od0man.

One of 5 males found at this new Wiltshire location.

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo). Immature ♀.

2011-05-07T00:07:00.003+01:00

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo). Immature ♀., originally uploaded by od0man.

One of 9 females found at the new location.

River Marden.

2011-05-07T00:07:00.001+01:00

River Marden., originally uploaded by od0man.

The new site location for Beautiful Demoiselle - adjacent to the Calne Sewage Treatment Works!

Green Lane Wood, Nr. Trowbridge

2011-05-05T21:43:00.000+01:00

While searching for Longhorn Beetles at the above wood, my friend Dave Brotheridge, found a teneral male Scarce Chaser in one of the rides. This is the first reported sighting of this species for the year and, as with most insects this Spring, much earlier than normal! The Bristol Avon is not too far away and the wood is used every year as a maturation site.
I'm sure other species, such as Beautiful Demoiselle, are already on the wing too. It just needs someone to visit the known sites to confirm this...

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) ♂.

2011-05-04T23:56:00.001+01:00

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) ♂., originally uploaded by od0man.

The first Wiltshire Banded Demoiselle of the year [unless you know different!]. I discovered this and a few more while carrying out an odonata survey of the Waterhay area of the Cotswold Water Park. Including the young Thames.
Also seen were hundreds of thousands of Common Blue Damsels; Blue-tailed, Large Red, Azure and Red-eyed Damselflies. Plus several 4-spot Chasers.

Tuesday 3rd May, 2011.

2011-05-04T00:22:00.000+01:00

Clattinger Farm - Cotswold Water Park
I visited the above area of the CWP today to see if I could see some of the Downy Emerald mass emergence reported on the BDS 'Hot News' page. I wasn't disappointed! I was able to see and photograph my first Wiltshire female Downy:o)) I saw at least 3 at Clattinger and 5 at Swillbrook. Also present were thousands of Common Blue, Azure Blue and hundreds of Red-eyed Damselflies. Plus several 4-spot Chasers and a single teneral Broad-bodied Chaser.
There were also thousands of Green-winged Orchids in flower in one of the meadows at Clattinger - a wonderful sight!!

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) immature♀.

2011-05-04T00:15:00.003+01:00

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) immature♀., originally uploaded by od0man.

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) ♂.

2011-05-04T00:15:00.001+01:00

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) ♂., originally uploaded by od0man.

Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas) ♂.

2011-05-04T00:13:00.001+01:00

Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas) ♂., originally uploaded by od0man.

1st May. Swillbrook Lakes, CWP.

2011-05-03T10:01:00.000+01:00

Andy Cornell sent me [among other pics] a photo of a 4-spot Chaser seen at the above on Sunday. The first for the year. Thanks Andy:o)

Large Red Damselfly (Pyhrrosoma nymphula) ♂.

2011-05-02T19:12:00.001+01:00

Large Red Damselfly (Pyhrrosoma nymphula) ♂., originally uploaded by od0man.

One of the mature Large Red Damsels I saw along with the Broad-bodied Chasers on the 28th April.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa).Teneral ♂.

2011-04-28T22:29:00.001+01:00

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa).Teneral ♂., originally uploaded by od0man.

My first of the year! Two males and a female by the Column Pool in Savernake Forest. Along with several mature Large Red Damselflies, including tandem pairs and ovipositing pairs.
This male was disturbed from marginal vegetation so this was probably his maiden flight! The exuvia was found nearby.

Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) Female

2011-04-26T22:01:00.001+01:00

Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) Female, originally uploaded by Rezamink.

Image of said BB Chaser as promised. A lovely shot by Damian.

First dragonfly sighting of the year!

2011-04-26T21:57:00.000+01:00

Damian Pinguey reported seeing a teneral Broad-bodied Chaser this afternoon - at Morgan's Hill Wilts Wildlife Trust's chalk downland reserve! I can only imagine there must be a water feature somewhere on the adjacent golf course from which it may have emerged! Pic to follow - hopefully.
If you've seen a dragonfly in the last few days to beat this sighting please let me know.

Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) ♂

2011-04-21T00:10:00.001+01:00

Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) ♂, originally uploaded by od0man.

Tucked in amongst all those Common Blues was this surprise. Not only my second species for the year - but a mature individual too!!

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) teneral male.

2011-04-21T00:08:00.001+01:00

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) teneral male., originally uploaded by od0man.

My first Odonate species of the year! At CWP 95. At least 50 were roosting in the scrub near the lake - varying from semi mature to very teneral.

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) Teneral Male

2011-04-14T22:56:00.001+01:00

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) Teneral Male, originally uploaded by Rezamink.

Damian managed to get a shot of one the following day at the same site. Still not seen any yet - but then the weather is not conducive to insect hunting at the moment...!

The New Season is off to an early start!

2011-04-10T22:41:00.002+01:00

Hi all.
First of all, apologies for lack of news during the latter part of last year - various reasons I won't bore you with! I hope to keep the blog more current this year.
Now for the good news - Damian Pinguey reported seeing a semi-mature Large Red Damselfly at the amenity pond in Chippenham on Friday 8th April. This pond is always a good bet to get early sightings of species. It's very shallow and so the water warms up quickly so speeding up larval development!
The other news is that I've 'adopted' a new recording system, developed by Adrian Bicker of the Dorset Dragonfly Group. This system is based online and uses Google maps, so making record input much easier. It also provides instant feedback to the recorder as, once you've entered a record, you can go back in in map mode and view your 'dot' on the map in relation to other records already entered. I hope those of you who send me records might like to use this system [called Living Record]. If so, let me know and I'll set you up with an account. I have entered over 900 records from previous years so far so you can see where more recording effort is required - we have only 2 more recording seasons before the Atlas needs to be produced!!
The weather is reverting back to the norm after today - lets hope the warm conditions will return soon...

Two new dragons for the year.

2010-05-28T21:39:00.004+01:00

Damian Pinguey phoned me this morning to say he'd just seen a very teneral male Emperor hunting in Mortimers Wood, Pewsham, Chippenham. He later phoned to say he'd also been to Chippenham Pond where he observed 3 Black-tailed Skimmers emerge.
Tonight I've received an email from Mike Hamzij to say that Scarce Chaser is just starting to emerge on the Avon at Whaddon, Trowbridge. Another new one for the year. Also there were some Red-eyed Damselflies. Mike's fabulous pic attached.

Roves Farm. 27th May 2010.

2010-05-28T00:19:00.008+01:00

I paid a visit late afternoon to check on developments since my last visit. There was a drop more water after the rain and lots of damselflies roosting in the luxuriant pond side vegetation. This included Azure, Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies.
The Broad-bodied Chasers had coloured up and there were 3 males patrolling when the sun came out, plus one female ovipositing.
Finally there were at least 6 teneral Black-tailed Skimmers hiding amongst the grasses and rushes, my first of the year. Shouldn't be long before Emperors are in evidence too...

Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum).

2010-05-28T00:19:00.003+01:00

Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa).

2010-05-28T00:19:00.001+01:00

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).

2010-05-28T00:18:00.003+01:00

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).

2010-05-28T00:18:00.001+01:00

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).

2010-05-28T00:17:00.001+01:00

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)., originally uploaded by od0man.

25th May 2010.

2010-05-26T22:50:00.003+01:00

I received a report from Mike Hamzij of both White-legged Damselfly and Beautiful Demoiselle on the Bristol Avon at Whaddon. Both first sightings for the year.
Also Banded, Blue-tailed and Azure - but no Scarce Chasers yet!

24th May 2010

2010-05-26T22:39:00.004+01:00

I visited Landford Heath SSSI on Monday to see if Downy Emeralds were out yet - and they were, 4 of them! Plus two on a neighbouring farmers pond. I managed to obtain some very poor in-flight shots. It was so hot [29degC] that they hardly paused to hover in small bays as they usually do!
Also present were three teneral Keeled Skimmers, first for the year and possibly now the only site for them in Wiltshire. I will check out Shearwater in a few weeks to see if they are hanging on there.
also present at Landford were: Broad-bodied Chaser; Large Red, Azure, Blue-tailed and Red-eyed Damselflies.

Sightings for 9th May (Belated)

2010-05-21T22:52:00.003+01:00

Just received a report from Steve Davies of a male Downy Emerald at Swillbrook Lakes on Sunday 9th May. It was sheltering from the cold wind and overcast on the security fencing between the reserve and the Lower Mill developement. He managed a superb shot of it too!

River Cole

2010-05-19T22:54:00.002+01:00

I visited the R. Cole near Coleshill today with the hope of seeing the first White-legged Damselfly of the year. Not to be I'm afraid, but I did see my first Banded Demoiselles; two males sheltering out of the cold wind behind a hedge. The weekend weather is supposed to be hot so it may be worth a return visit on Sunday...

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens).

2010-05-19T22:53:00.001+01:00

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Rove's Farm is depressa-ing [groan!]

2010-05-18T23:11:00.004+01:00

Sorry about the bad joke;o) I visited Rove's Farm at Sevenhampton lunchtime today on a hunch that Broad-bodied Chaser should be out there now. I'm pleased to say I was proved correct. I found 3 in total plus two 4-spot Chasers. Blue-tailed and Common Blue damsels completed the picture. I was also hoping for Banded Demoiselle on the adjacent River Cole - but not to be, not yet.
Terry Dabner also sent me a record of 3 BB Chasers he saw at Somerford Common today.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) ♀.

2010-05-18T23:09:00.003+01:00

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) ♀., originally uploaded by od0man.

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) ♀.

2010-05-18T23:09:00.001+01:00

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) ♀., originally uploaded by od0man.

Sightings for Saturday 15th May 2010.

2010-05-18T08:12:00.003+01:00

After a successful trip to Hailey Wood near Cirencester for Pearl-bordered Fritillary, I called in at the Wildlife Trust's Swillbrook Lakes reserve in the CWP. At last! my first dragonflies of the year; 5 teneral 4-spotted Chasers plus another new damselfly; several semi mature male and female Azure's. There were also plenty of Large Reds, Common Blues and Red-eyed damselflies. It seems things are starting to happen at long last!

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata).

2010-05-18T08:11:00.001+01:00

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).

2010-05-18T08:10:00.001+01:00

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Activity at Caen Hill Locks.

2010-05-13T22:55:00.004+01:00

I grabbed a quick lunchtime visit to the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes to see if anything had emerged at the turning ponds. I wasn't disappointed! Although there still weren't any dragonflies I found two new damselflies for the year. Common Blue Damselfly; a single teneral male and female. Plus at least 11 recently emerged Red-eyed Damselflies one of which looked as if it had only just taken it's maiden flight. Also present was a single mature male Blue-tailed Damselfly. The shift in direction to the SE for the wind has hopefully kick-started a general emergence of species now. Let's hope for some fine, warm, weather at the weekend....!

Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas).

2010-05-13T22:54:00.005+01:00

Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythormma najas).

2010-05-13T22:54:00.003+01:00

Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythormma najas)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).

2010-05-13T22:54:00.001+01:00

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).

2010-05-13T22:51:00.001+01:00

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Sightings for 10th May 2010

2010-05-11T22:09:00.003+01:00

Ian Bartlett reported yestereday sighting a Banded Demoiselle on the Kennett and Avon Canal at Whaddon near Trowbridge. This is the first sighting [reported to me at least] so far this year. But still no dragonflies - they must be out there by now, just keeping their heads down in this bitter NE wind!!?

Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) ♀.

2010-04-27T21:29:00.002+01:00

Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) ♀., originally uploaded by od0man.

I found my first Blue-tailed Damselfly today at the Semington Bypass balancing ponds just south of Melksham. I could only find the one which was an immature female of the C-type [as described in Dijkstra and Lewington].
This brings the tally to 2 species, but still no dragonflies yet even though 4-spot and Broad-bodied Chaser and Hairy Dragonfly have been seen in other counties!

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) Female

2010-04-23T20:05:00.001+01:00

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) Female, originally uploaded by Rezamink.

Both Damian Pinguey and Rob Turner have now joined the exclusive club of 2010 odonata reporters ;o)
Rob found 3 tenerals at Swillbrook Lakes in the CWP today and Damians sighting was at the pond in Chippenham behind the Volvo garage. [Damians great shot illustrates this post].

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) ♂.

2010-04-21T23:32:00.001+01:00

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) ♂., originally uploaded by od0man.

Hot on the heels of Wayne Clinch's first county sighting for the year of an odonata in Swindon the other day, I found another Large Red Damselfly [my first for theyear]. This is the first odonata for South Wilts, VC8 as it was at the pond in Blackmoor Copse WWT reserve.

At Last!

2010-04-19T19:07:00.005+01:00

The first odonata of the year in Wiltshire was reported today by Wayne Clinch. He found a teneral Large Red Damselfly on the North Wilts Canal at Mouldon Hill Country Park in Swindon. He also managed to photograph it for good measure!
If this warm spell continues [which it seems set to do for a few days at least] then more should be found at other sites around the county; with other species, hopefully, following hot on it's heels.

Still no dragons - yet!

2010-03-18T22:06:00.002Z

Still probably a month away from the first Large red Damsels but the first insects starting to appear. As well as 3 species of Bumblebee [Buff-tailed; White-tailed and Red-tailed] the first of the Mining Bees [Andrena sp.] put in an appearance. With over 60 species in the UK most are impossible to ID from photos! Also several 7-spot Ladybirds crept out from their Winter hiding places to soak up the early Spring sunshine.

Mining Bee (Andrena Sp.).

2010-03-18T22:04:00.003Z

Mining Bee (Andrena Sp.)., originally uploaded by od0man.

7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata).

2010-03-18T22:04:00.001Z

7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)., originally uploaded by od0man.

A New Year - and what global warming?!!

2010-01-07T14:09:00.004Z

Firstly, just to recap on last year; 25 species were seen [in order of first sighting]:
Large Red Damselfly
Blue-tailed Damselfly
Common Club-tail
Beautiful Demoiselle
Scarce Chaser
Broad-bodied Chaser
Common Blue Damselfly
Azure Damselfly
4-spotted Chaser
White-legged Damselfly
Banded Demoiselle
Golden-ringed Dragonfly
Black-tailed Skimmer
Emperor
Red-eyed Damselfly
Downy Emerald
Southern Hawker
Brown Hawker
Ruddy Darter
Migrant Hawker
Common Darter
Small Red-eyed Damselfly
Common Emerald Damselfly
Small Red Damselfly
Keeled Skimmer.
The interesting thing to be discovered this year is whether the weather we are currently experiencing will have any adverse effect on our odonata fauna. Most species have adapted long ago to the prolonged cold and snow we are having - it is us who have short memories and forget this used to be the 'norm' not many years ago!
It is how the more recent colonisers will respond which will be facinating to find out.
This year is the International Year of Biodiversity and I am hoping to organise some guided dragonfly walks across Wiltshire to showcase how comparatively rich we are [within a UK context] in odonata. Once I have dates/venues confirmed I will post them here. First provisional date may be May 22nd at Lower Moor Farm. I hope it will look a little different then to how it looks now [see above]!!
A Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year to you all:o))

Savernake afternoon

2009-10-12T22:47:00.003+01:00

I visited Savernake Forest with Wayne this afternoon in glorious golden sunshine. We visited the 'purple patch'[Purple Emperor country] near the column and the nearby pond, which has developed nicely since it was redug last winter. The pond held 3 male Southern Hawkers and a female which came in to oviposit. She was grabbed in the act by one of the males, forced to mate, but then broke away and escaped. There were also an in tandem pair of ovipositing Common Darters which took flight before I could get my lens onto them!
Other insects of interest were several larvae of the Pale Tussock moth on 'walkabout' getting ready to pupate underground; a robber fly with prey on a sunny oak trunk along with a female Oak Bush-cricket and an extremely well camouflaged Grey Shoulder-knot moth!
All it needs is a little sunshine to get things happening again. We may revisit again tomorrow earlier in the afternoon to get more dragonfly pics.

No dragons but.....

2009-09-29T20:59:00.002+01:00

'Trapped' at head office today in Devizes, but coming back from the car mid morning I disturbed a Hummingbird Hawkmoth which was nectaring on a clump of Valerian by the office wall. It flew up just above the first floor window level and proceeded to sunbathe. Luckily I had my camera with me and got some distant [even for my zoom!] shots. Some interested colleagues saw it too. Unfortunately it flew off before giving the opportunity for in-flight feeding shots. Amazingly this is my first sighting this year! No repeat of the fly-by Southern Hawker there a couple of weeks ago.

Late dragons and predators

2009-09-27T23:18:00.003+01:00

As you may or may not have noticed I haven't posted for some time! A combination of a torn shoulder muscle and crushed nerve, starting a new job and unsuitable weather when on my days off!
Anyway, today I managed to squeeze in a short 1 hour visit to a local pond I only discovered this year at the Woodland Trust's Warneage Wood at Lower Wanborough.
It's a small round pond approx. 8 metres across.
In the glorious Autumn sunshine [20degC!]I watched 3 male Southern Hawkers battling it out for territorial rights over the limited surface area while a lone female quietly sneaked in to lay eggs unseen and unmolested [but unfortunately too obscured by vegetation to provide a decent image]. These males quite often approached me so close that they were inside my closest focussing distance!
Also present was a lone male Migrant Hawker and two male Common Darters.
Another male had unfortunately become lunch for one of the bankside spiders!
While on the subject of predators; I was pondering the absence of any damselflies when what should drop in but a fabulous Grey Wagtail - the arch nemesis of all damselflies [and some dragonflies if they aren't careful...]. So I'm guessing that this bird may have 'hoovered up' all the remaining late damsels!?
A supporting cast of calling Buzzards overhead and a fly-by Comma made this a delightful short tranquil interlude in an otherwise hectic weekend.
Make the most of the sun - it's changing by the end of next week...

Records for 19th August 2009.

2009-08-20T12:42:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I was able to regain access [at long last] to one of the most important odonata sites in Wiltshire. It is a private site that is also a SSSI and is our only acid bog habitat [that includes standing water]. My main concern was to establish that Small Red Damselfly was still present - which I am pleased to say is there in reasonable numbers [100+]. Mating was noted including pairs in cop and in tandem. Keeled Skimmers were also there in good numbers [30+] again with mating behaviour noted. Other species present included a patrolling male Golden-ringed Dragonfly which caught a Wasp then used one of my tripod legs as a perch while he consumed his snack with a sting in the tail!
Migrant and Southern Hawkers, Emperor, Common Darter; plus Common Emerald, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies completed the line-up.
I was slightly disappointed that I couldn't find any Black Darters as they were there [albeit in small numbers] during my last late summer visit several years ago.
I still hold out hope and perhaps they are just late emerging at this site.
Now I have re-established contact I will be revisiting next year in Spring to [hopefully] confirm the continued presence of Downy Emerald and late summer to see if Black Darter is back. Common Hawker also seems to have disappeared but was only ever included from one sighting.
I also visited the WWT's site of Landford Bog but there was no open water and the only odonata was a single teneral male Common Darter!

Coate Water Country Park

2009-08-16T18:23:00.002+01:00

I managed a brief visit to the above late this afternoon during a small glimmer of sunshine. Haven't managed much fieldwork lately what with helping my eldest daughter decorate and set up her new [first]salon in Swindon town centre and helping my other daughter prepare for her move to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music!
Anyway, I am pleased to be able to report that Small Red-eyed Damselflies [Erythromma viridulum]are back at Coate!! I was able to find at least 4 on the model boating lake in blustery, cool and partly overcast conditions. If I can manage a return visit in better contidions hopefully there will be more. This is particularly pleasing as there appears to be none at the 'hospital pond' this year. Perhaps they emerged, found little or no weed to use and moved over to nearby Coate Water?
Also present were several Common Emerald Damselflies [Lestes sponsa] and a few Common Blue-tailed, Red-eyed and Blue-tailed Damselflies. Dragonflies were represented by a single Common Darter!
The other good news is that the land next to Coate Water has been saved from development [at least for the time being....]

Records for Saturday 8th August 2009.

2009-08-10T20:09:00.002+01:00

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum Sanguineum) Male, originally uploaded by Rezamink.

Damian Pinguey visited the 'Chippenham Pond' site behind the Volvo garage on Saturday where he saw Ruddy and Common Darter amongst others.

Records for Sunday 2nd August

2009-08-06T23:02:00.003+01:00

Not posted for a while - a combination of being away on holiday [to Corfu] and rubbish weather when able to go out!
I was very pleased to receive a report [with photos] from a new recorder, Barry Watts. He lives in Frome and visited Stourhead for the first time on Sunday. As well as some Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies he saw the first reported Migrant Hawker and Common Darters for Wilts for the year. As well as this there was an ovipositing Brown Hawker, some Broad-bodied Chasers and an ancient female 4-spot Chaser [looking her age!]

On the same day I had the first Southern hawker in my garden for some time - a pristine male in his prime.

Savernake - Emperors of the Purple persuasion!

2009-07-15T23:25:00.003+01:00

I visited the excellent Savernake Forest near Marlborough today to see if I could find and photograph the Ruddy Darter seen on Sunday. No luck, 'only' 2 Broad-bodied Chasers and a male and female Emperor. I then went to the column to find the butterfly namesake - Purple Emperor - and saw at least 3 in the canopy and one [presumed female] down low checking out sallows for oviposition potential. Then, walking along the track, I found a male sucking up minerals from a damp shady patch on the ride which allowed amazingly close approach. This fulfilled a lifes ambition to get up close and personal with 'his Majesty'. It nearly climbed onto my finger too when offered but spooked before it's rear pair of legs were aboard!! My wildlife moment of the year so far...

Records for Tues 14th July

2009-07-15T23:19:00.002+01:00

I revisited Great Western Hospital pond to see if any SRED's had appeared, but strong winds had kept away all but a few Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damsels. Not even any Skimmers or Emperors! The recent rain had raised the water level [it is a balancing pond] and the aquatic vegetation was submerged so nothing for the SRED's to perch on even if they had been present!

Records for Sunday 12th July

2009-07-15T23:13:00.002+01:00

Wayne Clinch visited Savernake Forest [for Purple Emperor butterflies]and after seeing some at the 'Column' he checked out the pond opposite where, as well as Broad-bodied Chasers he saw a single Ruddy Darter. This is the first one reported for the year.

Bentley Wood Pond

2009-07-09T23:44:00.003+01:00

Rob Turner visited one of the ponds in Bentley Wood today and, as well as Large Red and Azure Damselflies he found an emerging Southern Hawker. He managed to get a photo just after it had 'flattened out' it's wings, next to it's exuvia. The wings are rather blurred as they were being vibrated in preparation for the maiden flight! He also had good views of Purple Emperor and White-letter Hairstreak butterflies - not bad for a day with less than ideal weather conditions!

More Records for 4th July 2009

2009-07-07T10:33:00.004+01:00

Last Saturday Rob Turner, our County Bird Recorder, was mist netting/ringing at Calne sewage works when he spotted a Golden-ringed Dragonfly there. The works are adjacent to the River Marden. This is a new location for this species the nearest being Spye Park, around 3 miles away to the SW. It could be a wanderer from that site or it could be breeding on small feeder streams nearby. Worth further investigation...

Sightings for 4th July 2009

2009-07-04T23:48:00.004+01:00

Today I visited Red Lodge Wood [north of Wootton Bassett], primarily to look for and photograph an aberrant Silver-washed Fritillary [which I was successful in doing]. But as there are 3 ponds there I expected to see some odonata - and I wasn't disappointed. With Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies around the ponds plus 2 male Broad-bodied Chasers sparring for territory on the small pond at the eastern end of the main ride. Also in this area were a male and female Southern Hawker and a Brown Hawker. A female BB Chaser sat enjoying the sun on the opposite side of the ride - away from all the frenetic male activity!

Sightings for 2nd July 2009.

2009-07-04T23:38:00.003+01:00

Mike Hamzij revisited the Bristol Avon at Whaddon today. As well as seeing his first Brown Hawker of the year he also saw 3 Emperors and at least 10 Scarce Chasers holding territory along the river. Several of the males had scuff marks on their abdomens which shows that they had successfully mated as this is where the female holds on during the wheel position.
I, meanwhile, visited Birch Pool in Savernake Forest only to find it nearly dry. Despite this there were still several Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies present. A larva seen to crawl quickly from a mud slurry 'pool' to the only patch of water left looked like a Chaser larva - but the mud was too deep to allow closer investigation!

Records for 1st July 2009

2009-07-02T00:13:00.003+01:00

In a bid to survey another tetrad in the Cotswold Water Park [CWP], I braved the sweltering conditions and walked around lake 26. The most noticeable feature were the huge numbers of Common Blue Damsels - the whole lake was covered in them. There must have been at least 100,000!!!
Red-eyed Damselflies were obviously having a good season here, there were around 140 in the lily pad areas including tandem and ovipositing pairs.
Black-tailed Skimmer was the most numerous anisopteran with an estimated 120 present including mating pairs and ovipositing females.
4-spotted Chasers were still hanging in there with 31 individuals starting to look worse for wear!
Smaller numbers of Blue-tailed and one [still!!] Large Red Damsel plus a solitary Banded Demoiselle completed the damselfly list.
One Brown Hawker and 9 patrolling male Emperors plus two ovipositing females finished the species total of nine for the day.
While trying to obtain some in-flight shots of a patrolling male Emperor, a Comma flew out across the lake and was promptly captured and consumed on the wing!

GW Hospital Pond, Swindon.

2009-06-29T17:48:00.005+01:00

Given that Small Red-eyed Damselflies [SRED'S] have started to appear in a few southern counties over the last few days, I thought I'd have a look at the hospital pond [even though 26th July is earliest date there so far!]. No SRED'S yet but there were a few Red-eyed there which is a new species for the site - probably spread from Coate Water nearby. Also present were hundreds of Common Blue Damsels, a few Blue-tailed and 3 male Emperors holding territory. As the pond is only a 7 minute stroll from my house I'll check regularly and report as soon as they appear. Still 28degC at 5.30pm!

Rivers and Lakes

2009-06-24T23:21:00.002+01:00

Today I visited a couple of sites where Beautiful Demoiselles have been found last year. One on the Cole just north of Inglesham and another on the Thames. Didn't see any at either site but plenty of Banded's about plus Common Blue, Blue-tailed, and a few White-legged and Red-eyed Damsels. One male Emperor patrolling along the Thames.
At Coate Water in Swindon, on the model boating lake, a male Emperor plus ovipositing female. Also Common Blue damsels, Red-eyed and a 4-spot Chaser. Star though was a male Brown Hawker - first for the year - which I managed to capture in flight.

Dragonfly watching -street cafe style!

2009-06-22T20:47:00.002+01:00

While enjoying a belated Father's Day treat from my daughters [a meal and the cinema]we were sat at an outdoor table at Frankie and Benny's at Greenbridge retail park, Swindon. What should give a slow flypast but a male Southern Hawker - my first for the year,and THE first for Wilts unless anyone else has already seen one. I can only assume it had come from the River Cole which flows through the middle of this retail park [although it is little more than a stream at this point!]
I also received a belated report of a male Beautiful Demoiselle at Stanton Park Wood on 30th May, seen by Tony Martin. This is the first record for Swindon and, along with last years sightings from the Thames and just north of Inglesham, we now have a distinct presence in the North-east of the county.

Another 'Beautiful Location'!

2009-06-17T15:00:00.003+01:00

Mike Hamzij just emailed me to say that this morning he discovered another new site for Beautiful Demoiselle, near Broughton Gifford. This is on the same stream as he found the others near Little Chalfield but is 3kms away. This species will soon be catching up with Banded Demoiselle in the extent of it's distribution!

Sightings for 16th June 2009

2009-06-17T14:33:00.004+01:00

I visited Roves Farm scrape by the River Cole in the afternoon, in the hope of finding an early Ruddy Darter - no luck there. But even though the scrape had dwindled to two muddy pools it was heaving with odonata!
Black-tailed Skimmers were everywhere, from territorial males, to mating couples and a female making her maiden flight! Must have been about 20-25 of them.
Also about 7 male Broad-bodied Chasers were on territory having constant battles with the 8-10 Four-spotted Chasers present too. A poor female BB Chaser was trying to quietly lay her eggs but was being constantly harassed by pumped up males trying to mate with her - this even included a male 4-spot [well, I suppose she does look a bit like a fat version of a 4-spot!]I tried a first attempt at in-flight shots of dragonflies using her as the subject. I don't think they turned out too bad [though they'll never be competition winners;o)]
Above all this mayhem patrolled 2 serene male Emperors.
Damselflies present included loads of Common Blue, Azure and Red-eyed Damselflies. Plus a few Blue-tailed [not sure if there are less of them or if they are just better at hiding!].
Finally, as I walked along the short accessible stretch of the River Cole that is near the scrape, I saw 4 male and 1 female Banded Demoiselles - plus a single White-legged Damselfly. Numbers of the latter species seem to have been dropping at this site during the past 3 to 4 years. It may be that the succession of summer flash flooding has scoured the banks clear of the lush emergent vegetation that this species loves....
But not a bad tally for just over an hour at the end of the afternoon.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) Ovipositing female 1.

2009-06-17T14:29:00.003+01:00

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) Ovipositing female 1., originally uploaded by od0man.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) Ovipositing female. 2.

2009-06-17T14:29:00.001+01:00

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) Ovipositing female. 2., originally uploaded by od0man.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) Ovipositing female. 3.

2009-06-17T14:28:00.003+01:00

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) Ovipositing female. 3., originally uploaded by od0man.

A case of mistaken identity!

2009-06-17T14:28:00.001+01:00

A case of mistaken identity!, originally uploaded by od0man.

Banded Demoiselle (Callopteryx splendens).

2009-06-17T14:27:00.001+01:00

Banded Demoiselle (Callopteryx splendens)., originally uploaded by od0man.

2009-06-17T14:22:00.003+01:00

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa).

2009-06-17T14:18:00.001+01:00

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa)., originally uploaded by od0man.

Sightings from Sunday 14th June

2009-06-16T23:53:00.003+01:00

Damian emailed me to say he'd visited 'The Pond' in Chippenham on Sunday to check it out for Red-veined Darters - no luck I'm afraid. But he did see loads of Black-tailed Skimmers, Broad-bodied Chasers and both a male and an ovipositing female Emperor. Plus Azure, Common, Blue-tailed and Red-eyed Damselflies.

2009-06-12T15:34:00.002+01:00

Mike Hamzij visited his 'local patch' - the Bristol Avon near Whaddon, Trowbridge today and, despite the weather, found the following:

"First Red-eyed Damselflies of year there; only 4 on one patch lilies. Also first Emperor.
Literally 100's Banded Demoiselles, Plenty White-legged and Blue-tailed plus few Common Blue and Azure Damselflies. Scarce Chaser absent today."

Early june on the Bristol Avon

2009-06-07T21:48:00.003+01:00

Geoff Dicker has very kindly sent some photos of a few of the species he saw on the Avon near Whaddon the other evening. From top to bottom: White-legged Damselfly male; White-legged female; Banded Demoiselle mating pair. Nothing current to report - the weather needs to improve first....!

1st June Sighting

2009-06-05T20:09:00.002+01:00

Just received a note from Ian Gray [with supporting photo - not digital] that he found a small colony of Beautiful Demoiselles at another new location on 1st June. It is a small fast flowing stream which eventually runs into the Salisbury Avon. The spot is about halfway between Patney and Etchilhampton - east of Devizes - called Hail Bridge.
It just goes to show if you risk a speculative visit to a new location you never know what you might unearth. It's beginning to look as if this species is far more widespread in Wiltshire than previously thought. Some of it may be due to genuine recent expansion but some is probably due to increasing observer coverage. This wet weather will obviously quieten things down for a while but hopefully for not too long.

Sightings for Wed 3rd June.

2009-06-04T22:49:00.003+01:00

I visited the CWP yesterday looking at several suitable pits for Red-veined Darters - but with no success. There were a couple of Broad-bodied Chasers however, a scarce species in the water park, and lots of Black-tailed Skimmers in all stages from pre-flight tenerals to mature territorial males. Also a couple of Emperors plus various damselflies - particularly tens of thousands of Common Blue Damselflies and also Red-eyed Damsels in a new location.
One male Downy Emerald patrolling the usual spot at Lower Moor Farm.
I hope the change in the weather is only short lived - 3 bad summers in a row could be devastating.

Records for 1st June

2009-06-04T22:42:00.002+01:00

Geoff Dicker sent me the following observations:
"Just to let you know that a late afternoon walk along the Avon at Whaddon on Monday 1st June produced :-

3 Scarce Chasers (2 male and one female)
1 Emperor
Many White-Legged Damselfly, Banded and Beautiful Demoiselle.

Most of the activity was around the large patched of nettles opposite Monkton House either side of the bridge. As a relative newcomer to "dragon" watching I observed some interesting behaviour involving an Emperor dragonfly seemingly being mobbed by Banded Demoiselles similar to the mobbing of birds of prey by smaller birds. Is this regular behaviour I wonder?"

This mobbing behaviour is something I've only observed from larger dragonflies such as 4-spotted Chasers and Black-tailed Skimmers. Has anyone else noticed this from Demoiselles or other damselflies?

31st May & 2nd June

2009-06-03T10:20:00.004+01:00

Tricia Porch reported the following to me yesterday:
"There's quite a few broad bodied chasers near the ponds along the Red
Lodge rides. They've been emerging this last week and I've seen at
least 8 on one walk. Today, I also saw a black tailed skimmer. Also
large red and common blue damselflies about."

Also, on Sunday 31st May, Jenny Vickers found two Golden-ringed Dragonflies at Stourhead whilst doing a bird count. This is a first record for Stourhead although I long suspected they ought to be there. Photo on her Blog at:
www.wrensnaturenotebook.blogspot.com

Sightings for 26th May

2009-05-27T12:05:00.001+01:00

Mike Hamzij reported the following:

"Walked from Holt to Little Chalfield today and located small colony Beautiful Demoiselle at LC ST852634. At least 10 insects with several females. Site near a stream which is slow moving.

Also there 1 teneral Scarce Chaser and several Common Blue Damselflies.

Plenty Painted Ladies around too!"

Sightings for 24th/25th May

2009-05-27T11:53:00.002+01:00

The following was reported to me by Julian Parfitt for the 25th.
We recorded the following today at Melksham, Conigre Mead:

3 White-legged Damselfly
2 Scarce Chaser
30+ Banded Demoiselle
6+ Beautiful Demoiselle
1 Large Red Damselfly

Yesterday, River Avon at New Town:

1 Broad-Bodied Chaser
Banded & Beautiful Demoiselle

4-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata). Male.

2009-05-27T11:51:00.001+01:00

4-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata). Male., originally uploaded by od0man.