Month: September 2012

I get a little bit jittery this time of year, knowing it won’t be too long before the temperatures drop enough overnight to produce a frost. Already certain parts of Oxfordshire have dropped enough for a ground frost.

However I’m feeling optomistic enough to see out the month and hopefully continue on through October. After the summer we’ve all had, I feel we deserve it!

So continuing with my late summer jaunts of favourite haunts, I took an early afternoon trip to Badminston for some more time with the Migrant Hawkers. Ignoring the main path I choose the back way to cross the gate. The walk up Hawker Alley didn’t produce any – just a few Common Darters and Common Blue Damselflies to start the day.

My main area for today was the southern basin, perfectly sheltered from the stiff breeze and bathed in sunny moments which created the perfect micro-climate for more Common Blue Damsels, Ruddy Darters, a lone Male Emperor and a fine population of Migrant Hawkers.

After watching for a few moments I crossed over the small causeway to the bank and caught sight of an immature Red-veined Darter, the wings still glistening in their softness. He proved a little hard to pin down, but I did manage a record shot.

Back over the causeway I stood near the reeds hoping for a Migrant opportunity, watching as several pairs flew past in cop and hoping a pairing would land close.

Finding that RVD raised my curiosity enough to scour the rest of the site, and sure enough, over in the scrub to the north, I found a beautiful female. She led me on a chase, but I was determined and gradually I managed to approach close enough for a reasonable shot.

I hadn’t expected any to still be around a month after their first emergence and ironically I received an e-mail the following day from Paul Brock who had found a couple the previous Thursday (13th September).

Back at the basin I spotted the male again and gave chase across the causeway, but he flew out across the water. No matter, just to my left was another Migrant pair perched and a male about 20cm above.

I returned to Badminston on Tuesday just in case and sure enough found a pristine young male Red-veined Darter in the ditch.

He proved to be the only one I saw that day despite a full search of the site. Ruddy and Common Darters were present in small numbers across the plateau, annoyingly preferring to perch on the substrate.

On the large shallow pool to the south a male Emperor was holding court, prompting me to wonder whether this would be my last sighting of this magnificent beast this season?

Over in the basin activity was somewhat subdued compared to yesterday, but I did manage another Migrant opportunity.

They split shortly afterwards. The sight through the viewfinder was of the female detached at the abdomen, a perfect opportunity for an unusual shot – which I missed entirely!

I returned across the plateau and found a small pool I’d previously missed, but like all the shallow pools here have now reduced to nothing more than puddles and were therefore devoid of any activity. Even a solo trip of the difficult north section produced nothing to get excited about.

On Wednesday I returned my favourite watering hole, meeting Paul Brock just after noon at a location he was familiar with, but had never visited the pond itself. The worry that nothing would show was soon soon forgotten with the appearance of the male Common Hawker. I’m presuming it’s the same individual from a week ago; certainly the flight pattern, behaviour and preferred area was identical.

His appearance was once again sporadic, often disturbed by clashes with the resident Southern Hawker, but sure enough he would reappear along the back channel, possibly sensing the past presence of an ovipositing female.

Luckily we and he didn’t have too long to wait, for there she was – back at her favourite inlet.

Much like the male, her visits were infrequent – but she did pass by close enough to get an acceptable in-flighter – certainly better than the one I’d managed last week.

I returned to the pond on Saturday afternoon; the quick jaunt which usually takes half-an-hour took an hour and a half. At least it was worth it!

The activity on my arrival was better than it had been for a long time, with plenty of Common and Black Darters, Common Blue and Emerald Damselflies all over the water and making the most of the sun. Also present were a couple of Migrant Hawkers, at least 3 Southern Hawkers and a Common Hawker – all males.

This provided more entertainment that is usual for late September and I placed myself at my old favourite perch, slightly at odds with the harvest sun but perfect for fly-bys and watching the frequent dog-fights between the triumvate of Hawkers; the Common well matched to the Southern who would finish his battles by harrasing the Common Darters before returning to his patrol.

On two occasions the Common would take over the Southern’s patrol, allowing some fine close glimpses. I presume this is our resident, who has chosen the pond for the past fortnight, by the worn rattle he produced in-flight, although his territory had expanded to include most of the south side. This was fine for me.

The Migrants pretty much kept themselves to themselves, each choosing a small section of the pond away from the agressive Southerns. Two of them kept close to the island, investigating the reeds and weaving in & out in their typical fashion. This one chose a small territory in the south-east corner.

So a fabulous time despite the chill, and an activity level worthy of a fine summer’s day.

The continuing high pressure promised a good weekend so Sue & I took a trip to our favourite pond late afternoon in the hope of seeing a Southern Hawker or two (we did) and maybe, just maybe a Common Hawker (there was).

On arrival at the water’s edge, we saw our first Southern Hawker, ideally placed and behaved for some in-flight shots.

At the puddle by the bridge another Southern Hawker was protecting his untypically small territory, while in the corner an Emperor reigned supreme, occasionally straying into Southern Hawker territory where evenly-matched battles ensued.

Common Blue and Emerald Damselflies were present over the water and pretty much everywhere, and the reeds showed Small Red. Common Darters were outnumbered by Black Darters, bouncing from the reeds, flying over water and even dispersed among the ferns & gorse with some resting Emeralds.

Sue had found a male Broad-bodied Chaser at the far end which appeared later to give us all a glimpse, and Paul W spotted a male Common Hawker in the (now dry) basin to the north.

Sunday started fine and gradually worsened with heavy winds and a huge band of grey cloud coming in from the west. Nevertheless we still continued on to Pennington where it proved to be another Migrant frenzy.

Several males were found perched on foliage, at least one pair in cop, although they could’ve been separate couplings, and a female ovipositing into the dry reeds a metre from the water’s edge.

Our rounds also produced Blue-tailed Damselfly, Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles hiding in the scrub while a brief moment of sunshine revealed several tandem pairs of Small Red-eyed across the water.

More male Migrants were patrolling the far end of the pond and one female was ovipositing among the reeds.

A walk along the river through the two rides produced several dozen Common Darters and at least a dozen more Migrants.

We were a little disappointed not to find any Southerns, and although we could’ve searched harder we thought it best to leave before the rains came.

Doom & gloom from the forecasters meant this week was going to be touch & go, but a bright Tuesday morning beckoned and I made my way to my favourite pond to grab the last of the sunshine. A stiff breeze kept temperatures down and nothing was flying over the pond until a belt of sun rose the levels enough to wake the Common Darters, arriving as single males and several in tandem pairs.

Black Darters frolicked around the reed edges and Emerald Damsels woke from their perches to join the few Common Blues and lone male Blue-tailed. The Small Reds were seemingly staying put on the island out of view.

I was starting to become a little bored and contemplated moving on, but the arrival of a male Southern Hawker changed my mind. This one wasn’t as playful and decided the whole pond was his territory, circling the island checking out every nook & cranny, presumably in search of a female.

And then I saw her! Not a Southern or a Migrant, but a female Common Hawker seeking out a place to lay her eggs. She flew low along the reeds and disappeared out of sight for a while until returning to oviposit in one of the island inlets.

That settled it – I wasn’t going anywhere. I sat down along the narrow channel with the (somewhat obscured) sun behind me and awaited her return, and had the male Southern pass by and engage with what was quite obviously the female about 5 metres away.

Sure enough, it was her – this time choosing the corner to oviposit. I tried and failed to get close. Very nervous, as soon as she was aware of my presence she was off like a rocket over the heath! Southern and Migrant females are usually unperturbed by your presence and I’ve had both attempt to oviposit onto my boots on several occasions. Brown Hawkers too. But this little lady was very shy.

She appeared again further down the channel and at first unseen rose at my approach, hovered briefly then moved swiftly on. In all she appeared sporadically over the course of an hour and in those brief moments allowed me a glimpse of her behaviour, so subtly different from her cousins.

On Thursday I decided to check out the small pool on Duck Hole Bog for the first time this year. This small insignificant pool has previously provided a few surprises, but there were only Common Darters and Emerald Damselflies in attendance during my hour stay. One of the former decided I was as good a vantage perch as any throughout my stay.

I moved on to Christchurch Common where I failed to see one hawker. At least there were a few aging Emerald Damselflies among the heather and several Common and Black Darters.

Recently I’ve approaches Troublefield with mild trepidation, often driving past without stopping. However during September it usually bears fruit being a favourite hunting and roosting ground for swarms of Migrant Hawkers. There were a few flying out of reach, but the stars today were the Southerns. This individual was perched awkwardly just inside the gate.

Further down towards the end of the second meadow is an open section of this murky channel where two more males were patrolling either side of an ovipositing female.

By Friday my internet went down for the second time this month and after a morning of frustrating and fraught conversations with androids I had to get out.

The pond was the only place close enough to offer me a place of peace and sanity and  After the usual circling of the pond and gorse thicket, I sat with the sun behind me looking over the narrow channel to the island. Despite the stiff breeze a few sunny spells were enough to kick-start some activity with Common Darters appearing in one’s and two’s to patrol or oviposit.

On the island Black Darters bounced here and there in the reeds while at the margins Emerald and Small Red Damsels were making short tentative forays.

The appearance of a male Southern – quite possibly the same individual from earlier in the week judging by his patrol.His unusual meandering path around the reed margins and slightly nervous nature made in-flights a challenge. Usually they choose the outside pond edges as their preferred patrol and are a lot more inquisitive.

My thought was disturbed by him rising up fast to clash with another hawker, taking the battle high and wide until he reappeared. This had me curious. Who was this challenger? Sure enough a few minutes later while the Southern was busying himself a few metres away, a male Common Hawker came cruising down the channel.

This is the first time I’ve seen one actively patrol this pond so was a joy to see. It’s almost as if the Welsh trip had opened the doors on this most elusive hawker. Sightings are sporadic in the New Forest, and to have both a female and a male in the same week at my favourite watering hole is a real pleasure.

Having both Common and Southern patrolling the same pond allowed me compare and recognise on sight and to note the subtle differences in their flying patterns. The Southern is predictable with almost set boundaries, while the Common is more investigative, rising up and down the reeds while keeping within the height of the surrounding flora and occasionally trespassing on Southern territory where another dogfight would ensue.

Sue & I returned to the pond for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon in better conditions. The Southern was still in attendance and offered better photography opportunities than he had all week.

So was the male Common, giving Sue a chance to observe this fine specimen on our favourite pond.

The Small Reds were certainly more active today with several pairings, and Emeralds were busy across the water. Black Darters were braving the outer margins of their island sanctuary, seemingly in higher numbers than the Commons.

Today however we had another visitor. The female Common Hawker (at least I assume it was the same one) was back briefly to oviposit before the Southern drove her away.

So Tuesday I had a female Common Hawker, Friday a male, and Saturday we had both. Truly the pond which keeps on giving.

 

Compared to the the preceding week, the last week in August proved altogether disappointing. I did a few scouting trips around the nether reaches of Crockford Stream and popped into Blashford briefly. Neither provided much to write home about.

I didn’t venture out again until Monday 3rd September, where a late morning visit to Badminston proved a good choice with better numbers of Migrant Hawkers this time, although they proved hard to approach. The Ruddy Darters were pretty much the same, but this female provided a decent opportunity.

The large ‘lake’ towards the back of the site had male and female Emperors, Common & Ruddy Darters, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Small Red-eyed Damsels while the corner had yet more Migrant Hawkers.

Back at the RVD breeding pool I had a female Migrant and female Emperor ovipositing.

A short distance away I found my only Red-veined Darters of the day.

I headed north to the pond and wished I stayed put at Badminston! A little disappointing as far as large species, with only one slightly battered male Emperor holding court. At least some Common Darters provided a spectacle while the surface of the water was alive with Emerald Damsels while among the reeds were several Black Darters.

Tuesday provided a relaxing moment following a male Southern Hawker around a small pond at Ramsdown. He chose the shadowy end as his main patrol, but occasionally would venture out into the light and close enough for an in-flight.

On several occasions another male would fly in and they’d take their fight high & wide before my male returned. One episode involved a third party – possibly another Southern although it was too far away for a positive ID.

Black and Common Darters, Emerald and Common Blue Damsels provided all other activity on this small but popular body of water.

I hadn’t visited Thursley for a while, so taking advantage of the sun and putting up with the wind, I arrived just after noon on Wednesday. A male Southern Hawker greeted me on the Moat pond but proved to be the only one I saw that afternoon. Neither did I see any Brown or Migrant Hawkers.

The boardwalks however were alive with Common and Black Darters, several in cop and several more in tandem across the water joining the Emerald Damsel activity.

The back ride provided more of the same, but still no hawkers until I arrived back at the platform pool…this time a Common Hawker! Ironic considering they’ve been my number one priority this year.

So here I stayed, watching as he flew back & forth, high & low and attempting to get some in-flights – but this one wasn’t as friendly as the Welsh ones! Must be a southern thing…

The problem I had was the platform faces the sun, and I needed the sun behind me. This was soon remedied with the discovery I could walk around the pool on a narrow previously trod path.

While on this side I noticed he briefly perched opposite me on a small bloom of heather, and also on a larger bush the other side of the platform.

On his disappearance I did another alternative circuit in search of other treasures, but was soon led back to the pool where he was patrolling again.

This time I positioned myself close to the bush and after spending time trying to get a decent in-flighter, he perched.

I attempted a few more in-flighters but didn’t get anywhere near the quality of those Welsh shots

Although I’m positive I’ve seen the odd one patrolling the rides here before, confirming at least a couple here today made the day. Surprisingly I saw no Emperors.

On Thursday I took a walk around Burbush and did see Emperors – one patrolling Brown Loaf pond and one at Whitten. The only other large species encountered were Migrant Hawkers at the former.

The feeder stream for Whitten Pond is dry again, which usually rules out rich pickings being the preferred place of Southern and occasional Brown Hawkers. Besides the sun being hazy and subtly obscured by an annoying belt of white cloud, the whole experience filled me with dismay when I foud as well as clearing a belt of woodland at Dur Hill, the forestry commision in their infinate wisdom had burnt a huge swathe of heather, wiping out a substantial colony of Silver-studded blues along with a healthy reptile population.

Onwards to Troublefield which is starting to live up to it’s name over the past two years. At least today there were a few Migrant Hawkers to make the visit worthwhile.

Friday was much better. Glorious sunshine and wonderful heat, hampered somewhat by a stiff breeze, drove me back to Badminston. Only one confirmed Red-veined Darter among the Commons and Ruddys, but Emperors were still strong here.

To get out of the wind I headed for the sheltered action corner for the best activity. More Emperors, a passing Southern Hawker and at least a dozen Migrants, including an ovipositing female.

I concentrated on the latter and found an ideal spot around the reeds for capturing some in-flights and perched opportunities.

The Migrants seem to prefer these vegetated margins and at least three males were weaving in & out of the reeds, often seeking out the lower reaches and rarely flying above 3 metres.

Unlike most hawkers several males shared this small area seemingly in harmony as territorial battles were few and generally passive.

Today was definitely Migrant day

Afterwards I called in at Crockford briefly where I saw three Golden-ringed, a few Beautiful Demoiselles and even fewer Southern Damsels.