‘Twas A Season To Be Jolly (Part 1)

For many 2016 took a while to get started with a downturn in temperatures affecting all insect life; the Spring Butterflies taking a rather severe beating. Dragonflies can at least wait until conditions are optimal before leaving the security of their aquatic depths and are usually less affected by temporary seasonal discrepancies

There have however been some notable concerns with Broad-bodied Chasers, Beautiful Demoiselles, Golden-ringed and Keeled Skimmers where counts were down this season.

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) - male
Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) – male

As if to buck the trend the Scarce Chaser appeared in higher numbers and at more locations, with Swanwick Heath and Troublefield having particularly successful emergences. A change in management practices in the latter by allowing the Spring meadow flora to flourish no doubt helped keep the populations local.

Scarce Chaser (Libelulla fulva) - immature female
Scarce Chaser (Libelulla fulva) – immature female

Patience has once again been a theme throughout the season, taking time to stop and smell the flowers, drink in the atmosphere and just watching rather than shooting everything in sight.

Common Blue ((Enallagma cyathigerum) - immature male
Common Blue (Enallagma cyathigerum) – immature male

The thrill of the chase still excites but the rewards are more fulfilling with a gentler progress. It’s hard to beat the hot, humid environs of a water meadow.

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) - teneral female
Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) – teneral female

This year’s highlights included the regular Spring visit to the Somerset Levels where sheer numbers usually guarantee a fulfilling day.

Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) - immature female
Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) – immature female

It’s always a delight to encounter the Downy Emerald early season; a vibrant jewel decorating the margins of woodland ponds.

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) - male in-flight
Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) – male in-flight

Another Spring highlight was Whixall Moss for the White-faced Darter. Blessed with 30° temperatures and blazing sunshine guaranteed a perfect showing of this stunning little beast.

White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia dubia) – male
White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia dubia) – male

Mid-June saw another explosion of new life with the Small Red, White-legged and Southern Damselflies making an appearance along Ober Water.

Small Red Damsefly (Ceriagrion tenellum) - male
Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum) – male

The swarms of teneral Keeled Skimmers usually encountered here at this time  might’ve been bad timing, but future visits confirmed the Keeled had indeed taken a downturn this season. At least we timed it right to witness the various stages of the magnificent Scarce Blue-tailed with just enough aurantiaca to keep us satisfied.

Scarce Blue-tailed (Ischnura pumilio) - imm female aurantiaca phase
Scarce Blue-tailed (Ischnura pumilio) – imm female aurantiaca phase

Although again numbers being down on recent years we were blessed with the prize of freshly-emerged individuals and our first immature male, beautifully resplendent in his subdued hues.

Scarce Blue-tailed (Ischnura pumilio) - immature male
Scarce Blue-tailed (Ischnura pumilio) – immature male

Mid-June is also the optimum time to witness the emergence of the Common Emerald, a species encountered almost everywhere but for me lowland heath is where it shines.

Common Emerald (Lestes sponsa) - male
Common Emerald (Lestes sponsa) – male

The lowland heaths are also the natural home for another of our fabulous little darters.

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

The long wait over Winter means chomping at the bit come April, but it is May when things really awaken, with another welcome boost throughout June to keep the momentum going. July will follow shortly 🙂