Latchmore Brook Revisited

Saturday was by far the best day I’ve so far this season.

Sue & I arranged to meet Doug at Ogdens for a tour of Latchmore Brook, a fine dragonfly location where you expect to find Golden-ringed and Beautiful Demoiselles on the main stream supported by Large Red and Azure, and the boggy pools should provide Keeled Skimmer, Broad bodied and Four-spotted Chasers, Southern, Azure Large and Small Red and the sought-after Scarce Blue-tailed. On a hot, calm day all should be present, but I’ve been on many days when it’s hard work.

The only one missing from our visit was the Golden-ringed. We did have a patrolling Emperor at Latchmore Shade which made up for it though.

Emperor - Male in-flight
Emperor – Male in-flight
Emperor - Male in-flight
Emperor – Male in-flight

We didn’t have to walk to the usual spot for Scarce Blue-tailed either. Both male and female were present at the flush on the south bank of Latchmore Shade.

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly - Male
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly – Male
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly - Female
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly – Female

Across the stream we found another flush with male, female and even breeding pairs.

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly - Mating Pair
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly – Mating Pair

Further along where I’ve previously thought to be the main area we found several more males and a green female.

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly - Female
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly – Female

My find of the day was thus breeding pair found in the heather on the way up to Gypsy Hollow.

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies - Mating Pair
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies – Mating Pair

I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve seen a more beautiful pair of damsels

We continued on to where the best concentrations of Southern and Small Red can be found, along with a supporting cast of Keeled Skimmers.

Keeled Skimmer - Male
Keeled Skimmer – Male
Southern Damselfly - Male
Southern Damselfly – Male

A very worthwhile afternoon indeed!