Lower Moor Farm produces the goods - again!

Friday 11th May 2012. Chris Beard and Rosie Ray visited Lower Moor Farm today on the first decent day for ages. They were justly rewarded....3 Downy Emeralds [2 emerging and one in flight]; 2 Large red-eyed [first of the year]; 1 Blue-tailed [also first record of the year]; several Common Blue and 1 Large Red Damsel - all tenerals.

All of the [excellent] photos are by Chris Beard.

6th May, 2012.

As a follow-up to my Downy Emerald exuvia discovery on 30th April, I have received an email from Terry Dabner detailing his sighting of the first 'adult' Downy Emerald - also at Lower Moor Farm! He enclosed a photo which I've posted here which shows a very teneral individual; almost certainly yet to take it's maiden flight, sat next to it's distinctive exuvia. A fabulous shot and a sight I've yet to see myself.

5th May 2012.

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

Damian Pinguey found 2 males and a female at the usual pond at Chippenham. More flooded than usual due to heavy rain!

30th April 2012

I have just received belated news from Wayne Clinch that, on Monday, he saw a male Banded Demoiselle on one of his regular luch time walks along the old canal at Moulden Hill CP, Swindon. Another species taking advantage of the very brief glimpse of Spring we had that afternoon!

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).Immature ♂

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

My second species of the year!

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) teneral ♂.

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

My first odonata of the year.

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) exuvia.

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

AT LAST - THE FIRST WILTSHIRE ODONATA OF THE YEAR!
Yesterday afternoon, when the weather suddenly improved, I visited Lower Moor Farm to see if any Odonata might be stirring. I wasn't disappointed! First I disturbed a freshly emerged female Common Blue Damselfly from the lakeside scrub and then I saw an immature male Large Red Damselfly sunning itself on a bramble leaf. Finally - and this was a major surprise - I found a fresh exuvia of a Downy Emerald dragonfly in waterlogged grass next to the raised boardwalk by the first bird hide. This is the earliest emergence ever for Wiltshire! No adult was seen however.
Lots of species must be chomping at the bit to emerge and get on with the serious business of procreation - all they need is a spell of warm sunny weather, preferably with no wind!
The adoption of the online recording system 'Living Record' was a great boon last year, so if you want to help with the final year of the Atlas fieldwork then contact me and I'll give you details of how to use the system.
Let's hope for more stable fine weather soon....