Southern Harmony

Sunday 11th September

It must be two months since we visited Bentley Wood; possibly a combination of being eaten alive by horseflies on our last visit or just being busy elsewhere, but our absence certainly made us appreciate it’s qualities.

We could have drawn a blank  but I’m pleased we had the late summer bonanza worthy of a truly excellent dragonfly day. I didn’t get the Southern pair I wished for, although we did see two pairings – both flying far and high into the trees, which makes me think my only previous opportunity seven years ago was pure luck.

We had enough Southern and Migrant action to keep me busy and more than content. The Southern weren’t the most aggressive; that prize went to the Migrant, who this season have continually been the bullies on the block. During one battle the Southern was grounded by the Migrant and the latter stayed around as if to say ‘stay down’.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - male
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) – male

It’s a behaviour I haven’t witnessed to such a degree before. Migrant usually back off and mind their own business, preferring not to start the fight. The inexperience of just-mature adult Southern adversaries might goad them on, but I’ve seen Migrant attack all comers this season.

On the way out I unintentionally disturbed a female Southern along the path. Thankfully she stayed low and local, perching up nearby where Sue saw her land. Such was her perfectly-camouflaged choice that I failed to see her for what seemed like ages.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - female
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) – female

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon considering it wasn’t planned.

Tuesday 13th September

I couldn’t risk another day hoping for results at Ramsdown so Bramshill it was. Knowing full well I might just be repeating myself there is always the chance of the unexpected. Reason enough for a journey which isn’t much further than East Dorset.

The ponds were quiet so I continued along the path to Long Lake where I set up camp watching the Migrant, Ruddy and Common Blue. The Migrant were perching frequently on the bulrush, offering the first opportunities of the day.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) – male

I have a preference for profile shots, but won’t refuse the classic from the back if the setting allows.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) – male

Just as I was about to move on a male Southern flew in and kept me amused by being totally unpredictable, so I watched and waited until he felt comfortable enough to oblige.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - male
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) – male

My final subject of the day was a male Southern patrolling the darkest corners of the mossy pond, but this wasn’t where I wanted him today. Once again I persevered and coaxed him out above the moss for the perfect finish.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - male
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) – male

If you click on the image you will see a gif compiled from three consecutive burst as he briefly hovered above the moss.

Hobson’s Choice

Ramsdown & Troublefield Wednesday 7th September

Despite the conditions being more than suitable it was surprisingly quiet at Ramsdown. The hidden pond was the first to oblige with a resident Southern Hawker offering some sport.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - male
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) – male

At the hill pond Common Darters engaged in territorial disputes and ovipositing out on the water while Common Emerald and Black Darter decorated the fringes.

Black Darter (Sympetrum danae) - male
Black Darter (Sympetrum danae) – male

An old male Emperor hung on at the far corner, which was a nice surprise. Perhaps due to his aged condition he spent more time perched deep within the rushes rather than patrolling.

Back at Hawker Alley I had a Southern Hawker perch, albeit deep in the shade of the gorse.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - male
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) – male

After failing to find any agreeable action at the other ponds I tentatively made my way across to Troublefield where only a couple of Migrant and a selection of Common Darters punctuated an unnecessary stroll through foot-wrenching terrain.

It all seemed hard work for little reward, which shouldn’t be the case for either location as in previous years they’ve more than satisfied in early September.

Bramshill Thursday 8th September

Thursday’s visit to Bramshill was much better. Sue had the day off and we were barely out of the car when our first Southern Hawker was spotted patrolling low and feeding along the lane.

At the ponds we bumped into Mike (Barnett) and busied ourselves with the resident Migrants. Having missed one pairing at the first pond I arrived at just the right moment at the second as a pair alighted perfectly on a dead bulrush stem.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - pair in-cop
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) – pair in-cop

Before Mike could grab a shot they lifted into the trees on the far side and allowed Mike a few shots before he attempted to reposition them, resulting in the perfect opportunity to offer a sense of scale.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - pair in-cop
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) – pair in-cop

On the way to the mossy pond Sue had encountered a female Southern Hawker ovipositing into bramble. She rose at my approach and lifted into the trees where a little fill flash was needed to make the best of an opportunity.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - female
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) – female

Also present at the pond were a couple of Migrant, being comically bullied by tenacious Common Emeralds rising from the rushes while the Ruddy retained their cool demeanor around the margins.

A young male Southern kept me busy in the shade, typically unpredictable in his youth and frequently too close to capture but tenacity and perseverance resulted in a frame-filling close encounter.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - male
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) – male

When the temperature started to fall activity slowed and Common Darters took position atop tall stems. It was time for us too to head home to roost until next time.

The Changing of the Seasons

Monday 29th August

Bank Holiday weekends mean the New Forest and East Dorset honeypots are best avoided and we always try to travel in the opposite direction. Our needs were peace, tranquility and a good chance of enjoying some dragonfly photography, so once again Bramshill won the toss.

There was a definite chill in the air and some of the leaves were already turning to bronze as we walked to the ponds. The same Brown Hawker from last week was patrolling along with a couple of male Migrant and the usual cast of Common, Ruddy, Common Blue, Azure and Blue-tailed.

When a female Migrant appeared she was pursued by both patrolling males but she wasn’t interested in anything else but dropping her cargo of already-fertilised eggs. Then somewhat surprisingly she disappeared deep into the thicket. I watched as she circled the boughs within the shadows before perching out of sight and reach behind one of the trunks.

Sue alerted me to a mating pair of Ruddy Darters perched low along the mossy fringes; typically jumpy but thankfully settling just long enough to capture.

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) - pair in-cop
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) – pair in-cop

Over in a shaded corner a Migrant gave me some excellent sport and alternative photography methods. I used to only concentrate on well-lit and open-flying in-flight subjects yet dark & shady aspects can present some interesting challenges and pleasing results.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male in-flight
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) – male in-flight

While this chap stayed within the close confines of his shaded corner another male was patrolling a small area around and over a small patch of reeds and occasionally would fly out across the moss before returning. This was the aspect and background I hankered after so I waited patiently for the opportunity.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male in-flight
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) – male in-flight

Along the edges of the moss a male Ruddy Darter perched low upon a grass stem against a colourful background of late summer wild flowers, frequently rising and repositioning while I searched for the most pleasing aspect.

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) - male
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) – male

At Long Lake the frequent burst of late summer warmth brought out armies of damselflies skimming the surface with opportunistic fish attacking from underneath. A couple of Migrant and a tatty male Brown patrolled the bulrushes while a female released her burden in the depths of emerging plants.

One of the extraordinary behaviours of the Migrant is their unusual way of perching. Unlike most hawkers they don’t adhere to the hanging method; suspending themselves head up and tail down from a suitable perch. Quite often they will perch horizontally or even face down on the bent sections of bulrush.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) – male

Along the mossy fringes a couple of male Ruddy offered contrasts to the Common Blue and Emerald taking refuge and the sight of a late and battle-scarred Four-spotted Chaser brought a smile to my face. Well done sir – what a trooper!

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) - male
Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) – male

A Southern Hawker briefly appeared to hassle the Migrant before disappearing into the woods so I persevered with the latter, watching and waiting until he came close enough to warrant raising the camera.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male in-flight
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) – male in-flight

Besides, and maybe due to,  the morning chills there a definite signs of the waning season, so when the sun shines enough to raise the temperature I’ll spend September at those places where the hawkers provide both the spectacle and the sport.