Willow Emerald Damselflies - Suffolk

[DavyG]

For what was our first trip out with the cameras this year, we visited Staverton Lakes yesterday to try to find Willow Emerald Damselflies.

Having visited this site over the last three years, the increase in numbers of Willow Emeralds was immediately noticeable as, within seconds of arrival, we spotted several of them. I think that it's highly likely that this site now has a sustainable population of these Damselflies.

The main differences we noticed, between this year and last, were that there were dozens more Willow Emeralds to be seen, the majority of which seemed to be males, this was the opposite of last year when most we found were females.

We saw several pairs in tandem however, the wind seemed determined to disrupt almost all attempts to photograph these.

Here are some of the images I managed to capture.








Dave

[Toby]

interesting, never heard of this species before.

[aeshna5]

Excellent shots Davy of a species I've yet to see in the UK. It's good to hear they are around in good numbers again this year as the British Dragonfly Society News page seems to have had less mentions of them. They do appear to be firmly established in parts of Suffolk now with a few records also from Essex, Norfolk + possibly other counties.

After an exceptionly early start to the dragonfly season this year I've found numbers of many common species since May to be lower than normal in my part of the world. Hopefully some of these new species can retain at least a toehold.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by DavyG

For what was our first trip out with the cameras this year, we visited Staverton Lakes yesterday to try to find Willow Emerald Damselflies.
Dave

Good to see you back on WAB Davy.

For other WABbers there is an amazing ancient wood at Staverton where there is an upwelling of clay and 300 year old Oaks are supporting 80- foot hollies. Its really eerie. Where the wood has been more managed there are some fantastic oaks in the semi-open.

Privately owned but a footpath goes right through. Its an old Royal hunting forest.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

After an exceptionly early start to the dragonfly season this year I've found numbers of many common species since May to be lower than normal in my part of the world.

I have noticed the same Aeshna, numbers up here are way down on last year. I dont think that the cold winter or dry spring has done them many favours.

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Good to see you back on WAB Davy.

Seconded. And good to see you haven't forgotten how to use your camera either. Lovely shots! Willow emeralds have been found in Kent this year too, so it looks like they're becoming quite firmly established in the UK.

Dave P.

[DavyG]

Thanks to all for reading the thread and replying.

I can't comment on the lack of damsel/dragonflies this year as we haven't had the opportunities to visit the sites we normally do however, there were a lot of dragonflies at Staverton on Sunday, in the short time we were there we saw Brown, Migrant and Southern Hawkers, Common and Ruddy Darters, Willow Emerald, Emerald and Blue Damselflies.

Hobjob and Dave P. thanks for your kind comments, I have been reading WAB regularly and really missed the meets this year, especially Priory Water and Thursley, maybe next year.

Dave

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by DavyG

I have been reading WAB regularly and really missed the meets this year, especially Priory Water and Thursley, maybe next year.

Good as though these meets were, the creme de la creme was PMG's meet at Leighton Moss - though it was the non-Leighton moss bits of that weekend that were best