Month: May 2018

Sunday 27th May

We have a rule to ignore the New Forest on Bank Holiday weekends for obvious reasons, like traffic and tourists, Having been robbed of Saturday, which turned out great despite forecasts to the opposite, we decided to have a look at Latchmore.

Not in the best of shape after a party evening the night before, the going was tough in the heat and humidity., however I was glad we found a place to park despite inconsiderate parking from day trippers.

Amazed at how wet the ground was. Heavy rainfall the night before perhaps? After the sun we’ve had the flushes, which should have dried out by now, offered extra obstacles before the mire.

On the walk in we had Large Red, Azure, Beautiful Demoiselle and Broad-bodied Chaser, however as soon as we reached the mire we had our first Scarce Blue-tailed, a female and couple of males were holding territory in a flush.

Despite a good two hours scouring the scrub for feeders we only managed a few other damselflies other than Large Red, a teneral female Southern being the first.

The second highlight was a flighty teneral Small Red.

We did disturb a resting male Golden-ringed who flew south at speed before moving on to Gypsy Hollies where we encountered our first Keeled Skimmer.

The stream south had the best showing of Southern so far.

Enjoying a small pool were a couple more male Scarce Blue-tailed.

A fruitful day then.

Monday 28th May

Another glorious day with ‘potential’ light rain showers. Yeah, right – very hot and very humid again at Town Common. I figured if Small Red and Black Darter are out then Common Emerald might well be too.

It wasn’t long before I found the first of four teneral Small Red.

Shortly afterwards I found my first teneral Common Emerald.

Over the water a bevy of frenetic Four-spotted were wearing themselves out while a male Hairy patrolled the reeds. Meanwhile in the heather a few more fresh Common Emerald.

The humidity had soaked the pair of us through to the bone so we took a circuit where we encountered a swarm of Scarce Chaser.

Quite why they chose this particular pocket of heath I have no idea, but to see so many sharing the same space away from their natural breeding ground of the river was a delight.

After I final foray for the elusive Black Darter we decided to call it a day as we were both uncomfortable from the heat. Still, six species to add to the season’s list on a weekend we weren’t going to bother with?

Phenomenal frankly. Rule suitably broken.

There’s no doubt May has been a marvelous month – certainly the most consistent sunshine we’ve had for a long while, which means there’s been little time to keep the blog updated as frequently.

Thursday 17th May

Troublefield had certainly woken up since my last visit with a bevvy of Demoiselles.

I was hoping for a Scarce Chaser or two but the presence of a female Broad-bodied added some variety along with Plenty of Azure and Large Red. Most of the Demoiselles were found in the middle meadow, which was mainly down to wind direction.

The north-west corner proved to be the choice spot today with enough Demoiselle action to pick & choose.

Once I’d had my fill I headed over to Ramsdown where I did see a Scarce and, more interestingly, my first Emperor of the season. Four-spotted were busy on the pond along with Large Red and Azure, frequently in tandem.

As I was in the area I thought I’d try my luck at Canford Magna. Alas no White-legged but a few Banded Demoiselles and the marvelous sight of dancing Mayfly.

Saturday 19th May

Although being one of my go-to sites, Bramshill still has the ability to frustrate. Saturday proved to be one of these days with little opportunity, albeit satisfying to observe.

Downy were present in good numbers during the walk. Along the main track a muddy puddle played host to a male Broad-bodied Chaser while the green pond had a patrolling Downy and male Hairy which I attempted to get busy with and a fresh Emperor rising to the trees.

Over in the sunny corner of Long Lake a teneral female Downy gave me my first real opportunity of the day.

Back at the muddy puddle the male Broad-bodied gave me my last.

Monday 21st May

I returned for another go on Monday with varying success. A little more action on the water and my first Black-tailed Skimmer of the day disappearing out of reach.

A few more Emperor sightings with a fresh female disturbed at the green pond and a couple of males feeding along the tracks. Four-spotted were once again the dominant species.

There were a few Downy patrolling out of reach at Long Lake while in the corner a mating pair of Red-eyed balanced on the bulrush.

Then the clouds appeared along with a slight shower and that was the end of the sun except for a hazy glimmer two hours later where I found a Downy patrolling in the gloom of an inlet.

Also sharing the same space briefly was a male Hairy which, although not perfect, provided the most memorable shot of the day.

Now the Emperor are out that may be my last chance to achieve better this season. That’ll do for now.

Tuesday 15th May

I make no apologies in the delay of updates; it’s been a fine May, and I’m going to make the most of it. After all, with our climate it’s a possibility that we might have had summer.

That’s humour by the way, not negativity. You could positively look upon a cold winter as a precursor to a fine summer!

I had a grand time at the Somerset Levels, and there’s more to come, however for a change of scenery I decided to revisit Lower Moor Farm in Aston Keynes after several years.

The Wiltshire CDR, Steve Covey, and a few other good friends from Flickr and Facebook steered my choice with their fabulous photos of Downy seemingly willing to perch long enough for a photo.

Weather was perfect, however navigation was not. I’ve been using Waze for a few years without error yet for some reason the postcode entered steered me directly to Melksham, which was a tad off the mark!

I should have known from memory, and despite a nagging feeling I carried on, seeing some marvelous aspects of the Cotswold countryside I’ve not seen before.

Every cloud…

I finally arrived an hour late and eager so I made my way around the reserve until I located the hot-spot – a path with a perfect row of trees face-on to the sun. I’d already encountered several Downy on the walk through so signs were good.

There were a few people already on site and one helpful individual with bins pointed out a fresh male with wings still closed high in a tree while within the confines of some lower branches was the perfect opportunity.

It wasn’t long before I was on my own so I took in the surroundings and waited for my own opportunities which on one occasion featured a photo-bombing Azure.

Nice one that; let’s get in a tad closer if he’ll let me.

I explored the path to the south which also turned out to be a prime feeding spot with several circling the trees and usually landing high. So much to explore here, but I needed to focus and returned to the path and waited.

Besides the Downy their were also a few Hairy coming in to feed, flying low along the path, and a few Azure. However I was here for the Downy and remained focused.

The feeding activity became more sporadic during the heat of the afternoon and the next major feast would more than likely arrive early evening and having stood in more or less the same spot for hours I had one last look around before the long journey home.

So the hype is real then; a marvelous little reserve to spend a few hours – especially for Downy.

Thursday 10th May

A Flickr friend of mine posted possibly the best Hairy photograph I’ve yet seen the previous day, so I knew it was time. I’d already planned a visit for this week and, as long as the weather held out, I’m going.

If you’ve never been to the Somerset Levels, you’re missing out! My favourite days are days filled with too many dragonflies to cope with, and today – as most days at Shapwick – was one of those days.

Weather was better than expected. Sure, a stiff breeze keeping you on your toes, but the diversity. First in the gate were Variable, Blue-tailed, Large Red, Azure and my first Hairy; a female flushed from the grass to land on the bramble.

Another one shortly after, and enough opportunities in the river bank to keep you sane despite the grass strimmers ruining the natural soundtrack as the work party were shaving the margins, along with a few unfortunate victims.

With the incessant buzz still in my ears I attempted to seek a quieter environment. I’ve always been a fan of the ‘Sweet Track’; something very mindful about following in the footsteps of our ancestors, however managed it may be to recreate the experience.

It’s magical – as you walk through the west-country equivalent of rain forest you are among nature at it’s finest. A brook-lined path festooned with all manner of insects to a soundtrack of birds and buzzing.

Every sunny clearing, no matter how small, revealed a Hairy or five, a few nervous Four-spotted and enough damsels to grab you macro and indulge.

I wanted to walk around again, and did. I hadn’t grabbed a photo for what seemed like ages, but I didn’t really care; such was the peace and ‘nature’ of this place.

Back on the river bank I noticed a fresh Scare Chaser in the grasses.

Three in total, although a few of those Four-spotted I spotted earlier at a distance might have been candidates.

Chuffed and hungry, I grabbed a snack and drink and had another go, but it was quieting down here so maybe have a look at Westhay?

Glad I went. Excellent Hairy activity with a good swarm of both sexes feeding along the treeline on damsels and any other unfortunate insect stupid enough to get in their path.

The insect equivalent of a shark attack|? You have to wonder. I’ve witnessed the community behaviour of Brown Hawkers enough and believe there is some team activity present.

Think about it – in these moments with Hairy (and Migrant) have you seen aggression within species when feeding? I haven’t – only when procreating.

So a thoroughly enjoyable day, and one I look forward to every Spring.

 

Wednesday 9th May

There is no doubt it’s been a cracking month with barely a week offering up more variety than you can wish for. On Wednesday I had planned to go to Troublefield, but the weather looked better last minute at Bramshill.

Besides – I needed to photograph a Downy.

The new parking measures in place mean a longer walk in to my favourite spots, so it was time to find a few more. Heading east I searched out the direct path to the wooded pond – which has thankfully been cleared of scrub along the north bank.

It wasn’t long before I found my prize – three of them feeding within a small sunny clearing. One of them landed perfectly upon a low branch and I wasn’t ready. By the time I’d checked the settings he flew off.

No return or sign of the other two despite waiting 15 minutes so I carried on to the pond in search of more. Another two up & away before I decided to carry on to recce the other pond – one I’ve preciously failed to locate until last week.

Already up to my neck in gorse and mud I found another three along a wooded ride and another on my way back through. Waited again, and after a while decided if it was meant to happen it’ll happen when it needs to.

I took a stroll to the center ponds and grabbed a couple of Blue-tailed before carrying on down the narrow track seeing another half-dozen Downy, not one relaxing

On to the usual spots and everything appeared as it should – Four-spotted more numerous than the weekend and a smattering of Common Blue, Large Red and Red-eyed, but still a little subdued.

At my favourite pond the sight of rising teneral Four-spotted and even one male patrolling the pond announced Summer and over in the far corner I spotted what I thought was another perched on the reeds, until I took a closer look.

Not one, but two Downy – one still emerging and way out of reach and one just released from the exuvia, crawling up the sedge, wings still folded and getting ready to enter our world.

I couldn’t have wished for a better encounter. I wanted a Downy and, although I had to wait, I was rewarded with a better than expected opportunity.

Only downer (sic) was the location; low down in the sedge in the shadows with sun-spots seeking through when the sun shined and the only possible composition meant kneeling in water, which sort-of negates the wellie protection!

Afterwards the cloud rolled in making it even more of a challenge, but this was my moment to cherish as I watched him open his wings, vibrate and warm up and finally take his maiden flight.

This is what it’s all about. Perfect!

I had a plan to walk back up to the wooded pond but frankly I had my moment, my opportunity, my prize.

 

Thursday 3rd May

A promising forecast and a week of waiting took me back to Bramshill to find less Large Red than last time but I did have a few larger species sightings; a Downy, a Hairy and at least three Four-spotted Chasers.

So frustrating not to get a better shot, but a record I could guarantee despite being annoyingly elusive.

After that the sun went in and didn’t come out again, so I took a walk and scouted a few new locations to explore further in a month or so.

Saturday 5th May

Sue & I prefer to seek out the quieter places on Bank Holiday Weekends, away from the screaming hordes and traffic jams. We opted for Bentley Wood.

Plenty of Large Red and a teneral Downy rising from the margins to drift high into the treeline. Our favourite pond turned out to be very disappointing though.

We decided to have a bash at Durley Mill as Paul Winter had found some Beautiful Demoiselle elsewhere the day before, so fingers crossed.

They’re here. Not many, just a half-dozen and another species to add to the count.

Sunday 6th May

Bramshill proved much more productive with a fantastic eight species on the wing! A Downy on the way in followed by a male Broad-bodied Chaser, both too nervous to stick around. A Hairy Hawker shot across the path at speed and after the usual collection of Large Red we finally found a Common Blue.

At the pond a very fresh and delightfully-fragile Four-spotted Chaser rose from the reeds to land just above head height in the shadows.

After the ponds Sue took some time out while I dug into the scrub and found an immature male Red-eyed damselfly. Perching low down involved some contortion as trailing gorse prevented me lying down. Worth it in the end though.

We took a slow stroll back along hawker alley and explored the rough ground bordering the ‘face pond’ where we found another Common Blue and our last new species for the day, a Blue-tailed, which flew out of reach. No matter, there will be hundreds of them to enjoy soon.

A thoroughly enjoyable and productive outing renewed my faith and we returned home justifiably satisfied. It would be a hard act to follow.

Monday 7th May

We needed to recharge but found time for brief trip to Swanwick Lakes where we managed to reach double figures with an Azure. Unfortunately the only shot I managed didn’t come up to standard and we failed to find any more.

A walk to the dog pond provided one Broad-bodied Chaser and there was a Red-eyed on Tom’s Pond. Back at the centre pond I managed a shot of a Blue-tailed.

So a busy and fabulous weekend with some welcome diversity.
Now that’s more like it !