Broad-bodied Chaser survey

[Fourwings]

This may be of interest to anyone out there who is out looking for Dragonflies or indeed anyone who happens across one whilst out & about.
Following the success of last years Banded Demoiselle survey this years target species is the Broad-bodied Chaser libellula depressa, the most spectacular looking of all the early Dragonflies and one that is found at a huge range of habitats from small garden ponds to lakes,reservoirs, canals etc.....

To get involved or to just see more information click on the link below.

BRC - Broad-bodied Chaser Survey

Steve.

[GuyF]

I saw them a few times in the garden last year, mainly the males. If I see any this year I will make sure that I report my results.
Guy

[LindaB]

Me too - thanks for the link

Linda

[Fourwings]

I see there are a few great images of this species being posted in the Dragonfly Gallery so hopefully there are a few getting about now, so if you see one please take the time to use the link and record them.

Steve.

[Wild-Woman]

Thanks for the heads-up on this. I'll keep my eyes peeled and add to the survey willingly.
Jules

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Thanks for the heads-up on this. I'll keep my eyes peeled and add to the survey willingly.
Jules

Good luck Jules, I still haven't seen one yet this year!

[LindaB]

Well, I saw my first today, in fact my first dragonfly this year (havent been out to ponds yet). Seen a fair amount of damsels but no DFs until today.

There is a very small pond near where I work (where I get my fix with damsels and dragons in my lunch break lol), and I usually see just the odd broad bodied chaser every year. Today I just caught a very brief glimpse of either a newly emerged male or a female which was more than likely taking its first flight up to the trees after drying out. Wings were glistening in the little sun we did get lunchtime and the colour was superb. Quite excited now that they have started at this little pond I am reluctant to enter this one as I have no photo or a definate male/female to record - maybe over next week I will see more of it with a bit of luck.

Linda

[Fourwings]

Well done Linda, its a start.

You are doing better than me, I've been actively looking for them for the past 10 days or so with no luck at all as yet!!

[LindaB]

Well, its definately a female on the way back from shopping lunchtime I was eating my lunch while scanning around the pond and it suddently appeared a few feet away, near where I first saw it yesterday. I then managed to get within 2 feet of it (I've made a mental note of its perch lol). Im in my element scrutinising it when something flew past over my head, and hey its a second one

Unfortunately no camera with me as shopping had to be got, so if the weather is good next week I am going to try and get some pics so that I can verify it - fingers crossed.

It was gorgeous, fabulous colour and ooooh those lovely glistening wings

Linda

[aeshna5]

I saw 6+, including an ovipositing pair, as well as 3+ Four-spots + 2 Hairy Dragonflies on a trip to Fingrinhoe Wick last weekend. Insects were showing better than the birds, though did manage to see one of the many singing Nightingales!