Southern Love!

As far as dragonflies go, there's just something special about the Southern Migrant Hawker. A relatively new species to the country which seems to be doing very well in some areas and slowly spreading. I think if I was going to persuade anyone to watch dragonflies, I think the Southern Migrant Hawker would be up there to show off. The colours are simply out of this world, they pose beautifully at times and love to perch and they pause to hover at times to allow lovely flight views. With all the early season photos on social media a while ago and me thinking I might not get a chance to enjoy this species this year, I was over the moon when I found a single male on territory in a field next to Nethergong campsite. A few visits over the past week has produced 14 Southern Migrant Hawkers which have included a mating pair, a pair seen ovipositing, a rare female blue morph female and plenty of photo opportunities. I wonder where they have all come from? Have they all just randomly passed through and found the ideal habitat or did they emerge nearby. It's questions like these which make it all fascinating. After returning from Cornwall over the weekend, I spent a few hours yesterday on site where there were still 6 Southern Migrant Hawkers present. With some time, patience, field craft and plenty of photos taken, I hope that I have captured the beauty of these dragonflies. I'm normally my worst critic but having had the time yesterday (which is vital) to success, I was able to produce a number of photos which I am really pleased with. they really are a species I love to spend my time with. As well as clicking away, there's always learning going on about each species I photograph. Other species noted in the past few days has been plenty of Migrant Hawkers, Willow Emerald Damselfly, Common and Ruddy Darter and the odd Emperor Dragonfly and Brown Hawker. 

Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) - male

Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) - mating pair

Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) - mating pair

A 'NEW' Species for Kent!

For the past week, I have been away with my wife Michelle at Land's End, Cornwall which was excellent, but last Monday whilst driving up, I received a message that some Scarce Blue tailed Damselflies had been found at Sandwich Bay, a NEW species for Kent. Whilst this news was indeed very welcome, I had the problem of being over 300 miles away at the other end of the country. I just had to pray that they would stay. Photos appeared throughout the week where up to 5 or 6 had been seen which was encouraging and even mating and ovipositing observed. We arrived back home yesterday where I found out that they had still been seen that day so with some nice sunny weather and light winds forecast for this morning, I thought I would arrive at 08:30 to see whether I could find any at rest in the grasses before they got too active. I arrived in good time and after speaking to Andrew Lipczynski who had made the excellent discovery at Sandwich, I made my way up to the newly formed pools which literally have hardly any vegetation yet but were attracting the male Scarce Blue tailed Damselflies. After getting the camera ready I started walking around and checking the grasses and it wasn't long until a small damselfly was disturbed. A glance through the binoculars revealed my first ever Kent Scarce Blue tailed Damselfly. I could now relax and spent some time checking the id features and taking a few photos. What a stunning little damselfly and in Kent, I still can't quite believe it. I continued on for a couple of hours where I managed to see 6 SCARCE BLUE TAILED DAMSELFLY  which included 2 female. I wasn't quite sure whether I would be able to successfully id a female but having had a look in a few books, I was soon able to get my eye in and find two at rest in the grasses. Their overall green colour really made them blend in to their surroundings but with patience, I was able to obtain a few pleasing images which show off well the features. What an amazing morning and always nice to see a new species in Kent. I wonder where they have originated from? Have they come over from the continent and how do they find each other when they arrive. Whatever the answers, they are most welcome and fingers crossed that they manage to emerge next year and start a small but growing colony. A massive well done and congratulations must go to the staff at Sandwich Bay for making this new habitat and clearly demonstrating that if you build, they will come. 

Scarce Blue tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) - female 

Scarce Blue tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) - male

Hawking About!

It's been a very busy time of late trying to fit everything in but I have managed a few sessions where I have bumped into a few species during my walks. Whilst out birding last week, I came across a Norfolk Hawker warming up in the early morning sunshine and with a bit of patience and fieldcraft, I was able to move in and get a few pleasing photos. Not too long after, I went and checked an area to see if the male Southern Migrant Hawker was on territory but despite the warmth, I couldn't find it although it was still early in the day. I decided to then check the vegetation nearby and soon saw a bright blue dragonfly standing out amongst the green foliage. Again, I moved in slowly taking a few photos each time before moving a little nearer. It just goes to show with a bit of luck and patience and checking various habitats, the dragonflies can be found and it was certainly pleasing to find both of these species. Ten years ago, they both would have been major rarities but we seem to take them for granted now. It does seem that some species are doing well as the world slowly warms up. I wonder in ten years time what new species we will be seeing more regularly?

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) - male

Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) - male

A New Dragonfly - Scarlet Darter

With a number of the rare Scarlet Darter being seen at Silverlake in Dorset and more importantly, a dragonfly I have never seen, I was getting quite tempted by all the photos being posted online, but initially didn't take the bait. With more photos then posted and the fact that there were a few of them at the site, I finally decided that there would be a good chance of seeing them and maybe even a few photographic opportunities. With sunny, hot weather forecast for today, I left home at 05:30 and after a few traffic issues, I duly arrived at the site around 09:45. A quick snack and drink and I then made the short walk to the lake which I must say, looks incredible. A scan through the binoculars produced dragonflies and damselflies everywhere and I can certainly see why this habitat attracts the wildlife it does. There were already a handful of enthusiasts on site and I passed a few that had already seen them. I spoke to a few locals who gave me some information and then made my way slowly around the lake checking the likely areas for a very bright red darter. It wasn't until I had walked quite a way that I suddenly disturbed a bright darter which made its way back out over the water. This was my first encounter with a Scarlet Darter and I needn't of worried as the next couple of hours produced at least 4 SCARLET DARTER (4 males and an ovipositing female). They were quite tricky to find when perched so I employed the tactic of finding one out over the water and then tracking it for a while as it flew out over the land and come to rest. It was then a case of trying to creep in to capture a few shots and appreciate the stunning colours and shape of this rare dragonfly. With some patience and fieldcraft, I was able to obtain a good selection of photos and in the end, had an amazing time seeing a new dragonfly. It certainly made the drive worthwhile! Whilst not looking for Scarlet Darters, there were Small Red eyed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue tailed Damselfly, Black tailed Skimmer, Keeled Skimmer, Emperor Dragonfly, 2 Lesser Emperor and Common Darters. A super day watching a super Darter and one that I will not forget in a hurry. 

Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) - male