New forest in September tips

[Ukwildlifeo]

Im off to New Forest next weekend and I'm looking for some tips. We visited last year with mixed results, the problem being by September everyting is passing over.

On my list so far are:
- bolderwood
- reptile centre
- Crockford bridge (will golden ringed dragonflies still be flying?)
- Hatchet pond

Im looking to get golden ringed dragonfly and common hawker, and what ever else is left in terms of butterflies and dragons and damsels, but anything with wildlife to photograph, especially if its a nice walk would be great

[GuyF]

It's getting late for Golden-ringed Dragonflies, however this seems to have been a good year for them and I saw two today in Dorset, so there's a chance you'll be able to find some. Common Hawkers should still be on the wing but I'm not sure which spots in the forest are best for them, they may be quite tricky to find!
Otherwise, the grasshoppers and crickets should still be around including some good ones like Large Marsh, Heath and Woodland Grasshoppers and Wood Crickets. You may be able to find second brood Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries (Maybe Pearl-bordered Fritillaries too?) although it's a bit late for these, but there may still be some around!
Guy

[Ukwildlifeo]

Thanks Guy

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Neil.

Golden-ringed are still about at the mo. Havn't seen a Common Hawker yet this year - for these you have to look at ponds on the heathland of the New Forest.

Will send you a pm about some other stuff.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Just found this after PM ing you! Thanks again

[Beekeeper]

Ukwildlifeo Do you mean this weekend 5-6 Sept or the one after, i could meet you in Brockenhurst on a saturday afternoon either weekend and take you to one of my favorite Dragon Fly haunts, its about a 1 hour round trip on foot, unless like me you want to sit with the camera and wait for something to come along like i do, in which case it could be a lot longer, a pretty walk but can be very windy at times.

It would be a good excuse to get out in the forest for a while.


Let me know if you are interested.

BK

[Keith Talbot]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Hi Neil.

Golden-ringed are still about at the mo. Havn't seen a Common Hawker yet this year - for these you have to look at ponds on the heathland of the New Forest.

If you find a Common Hawker i wont be happy!! ive been hunting high and low for them on the Forest.

As Si says the Golden-ringed are still about,im not to sure about Crockford as a trip tho,my last 3 visits have been very quiet,may have been unlucky but as ive been there regularly this year ive seen it alot busier,

Im not sure where Beekeeper is suggesting but id personally try Ober Stream from Puttles Bridge car park its still got plenty of life and a good range of diifferent spieces.

Where ever you end up Dragonflying TAKE YOUR WELLIES! its very wet and boggy out there

As youve mentioned Bolderwood i presume you know about the feeding of the Fallow?

Im sure Si has got you sorted but if you need anymore help just ask.

Keith

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

Ukwildlifeo Do you mean this weekend 5-6 Sept or the one after, i could meet you in Brockenhurst on a saturday afternoon either weekend and take you to one of my favorite Dragon Fly haunts, its about a 1 hour round trip on foot, unless like me you want to sit with the camera and wait for something to come along like i do, in which case it could be a lot longer, a pretty walk but can be very windy at times.

It would be a good excuse to get out in the forest for a while.


Let me know if you are interested.

BK

Thanks for the offer BK. I got back yesterday, but I appreciate the offer

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Keith Talbot

If you find a Common Hawker i wont be happy!! ive been hunting high and low for them on the Forest.

As Si says the Golden-ringed are still about,im not to sure about Crockford as a trip tho,my last 3 visits have been very quiet,may have been unlucky but as ive been there regularly this year ive seen it alot busier,

Im not sure where Beekeeper is suggesting but id personally try Ober Stream from Puttles Bridge car park its still got plenty of life and a good range of diifferent spieces.

Where ever you end up Dragonflying TAKE YOUR WELLIES! its very wet and boggy out there

As youve mentioned Bolderwood i presume you know about the feeding of the Fallow?

Im sure Si has got you sorted but if you need anymore help just ask.

Keith

Crockford was dead on saturday, and until monday I got a grand total of 6 dragonflies flybys by hawkers and golden ringed and a couple of common darters...but a visit to crockford on sunny monday I had southern hawkers wizzing arond the two ponds upstream from the car park and a golden ringed that landed and posed a few times by the stream, as did a male southern hawker. The common darters were all opver the pools and some on the stream, where I also spotted a keeled skimmer - not bad for September!

Thanks for the tips, I didnt get to Ober Stream, but if I make it back next year (hopefully earlier!) its on the list

Oh and I didnt see a common hawker!

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Hi Neil.

Golden-ringed are still about at the mo. Havn't seen a Common Hawker yet this year - for these you have to look at ponds on the heathland of the New Forest.

Will send you a pm about some other stuff.

Thanks for the tips and heads up on the golden ringed