Common Darters

[Ollie]

Or rather the lack of them.

Been looking back through my photos from last year on my PC and I had taken loads of Common Darter photographs by this time last year.

Been out on my local patch, Messingham nature reserve today which is usually an excellent place to see them. Was out six hours and saw a grand total of three Common Darters. Saw several Brown Hawkers and a few Southern Hawkers.

Is it just that the Common Darters are later this year in my neck of the woods or is it the same all over?

Roger

[aeshna5]

I've only seen relatively small numbers so far, including 3 today in my local country park. There's still plenty of time yet- I find numbers peak Aug/Sep time.

[ron1863]

Hi Roger, it's the same up here in Central Scotland, I was out the other day on the moors visiting a few small pools that are usually a sure bet for Common and Four Spotted Darters - nothing, just Common Blue and Emerald Damselflies, no Dragonflies at all.

[DurhamBugs]

The story seems a bit better here. I visited Kibblesworth ponds (Tyne & Wear) today following reports of Four-spotted Chasers. I didn't find any of those, but along with a few Southern Hawkers, there were big numbers of Common Darters. I wasn't even trying to count them, but they were everywhere, mature breeding adults and tenerals.

[rlchew]

I have seen a few Common Darters down here in Essex but certainly less so far than last year which of course was a generally wet summer.

Richard