Black Darter

[cwpbirder]

Does anyone have any site info for Black Darter in the New Forest? (or other S England areas?) I think they are rather local there but I have the chance to go later in the week and the weather looks promising....
thanks
cwpbirder

[GuyF]

Deer Stalker may well be able to help you out with sites in the New Forest when he's next on, and the New Forest has the added bonus of having some rare damselflies. Otherwise there are a few heathland sites in Dorset that I know where Black Darters are fairly easy to find.
Good luck in your search,
Guy

[zail]

I saw Black Darters last week at Priddy Mineries in Somerset (ST 545 511), in fact an immature one landed on my foot! Perhaps a bit further than the New Forest but certainly worth a look - you may also see Downy Emeralds too ( I saw my first one there last week too... )

[aeshna5]

Black Darters should be widespread in the New Forest in suitable habitat; we have them on the Surrey heaths, eg Thursley, Chobham + have 2 sites in the London area around Blue Gate Pit, Wimbledon Common + on Esher Common.

As a dragonfly that likes acid conditions it's generally more common in the north + west in suitable habitat.

[wint]

Two good sites for Black Darter and are close to the road ar
Slufter's Pond SU222095 (southern forest)
Rushbush Pond SU384069 (northern forest)

But if you're in the forest for the day then the Latchmore Brook (park at SU181123) will have them as well as Scarce Blue-tailed and Southern Damselflies and 100s or Small Red Damsels and Keeled Skimmers.

HTH

Paul

[Fourwings]

I can really recommend two sites, firstly Wint has already identified Slufters pond as a good site for Black Darter, I saw plenty here last August, plus its also a very good site for Emperors as I remember.

If you are visiting the New Forest then the ultimate site for Dragons & Damsels has to be the stream at Crockford Bridge SZ 3499, park in the carpark and then walk out of the back of the carpark out onto the open heath, head to the right around the edge of the wooded area until you find the stream then just explore the area.
I have visited countless Odonata hotspots up and down the UK over the last 15 years and this is definately the best that I have seen, if you hit it on a warm sunny day it is truely awesome!
Specialist heath species present are Golden-Ringed Dragonfly, Southern Damselfly, Beautiful Demoiselle, Keeled Skimmer, Small Red Damselfly, Scarce Blue-Tailed Damselfly, as well as all the commoner odonata.
Added bonuses come in the form of Large Marsh Grasshopper, Grayling, Grass Snakes and Common Lizards.

[wint]

Can only back up what Fourwings said about Crockford - 27 species on the DRN database for the area, including Hampshire's only Scarlet Darter!, but not including the Hairy Dragonfly I saw in early May this year.

Mind you, my local patch of Lower Test / Testwood Lakes has 27 dragonfly species on its list (only seen Black Darter once here) so I'm very lucky.

Regards

Paul

[cwpbirder]

thanks for all the info everybody....keep it coming! I will post a report on my visit, hopefully Thurs or Sat.
cwpbirder

ps Dorset heaths are also within reach if a good site - I guess Wareham Forest?

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by cwpbirder

thanks for all the info everybody....keep it coming! I will post a report on my visit, hopefully Thurs or Sat.
cwpbirder

ps Dorset heaths are also within reach if a good site - I guess Wareham Forest?

Wareham Forest is indeed a good area for them, although it's a big place so you'd need to visit certain sites to see them which I could help you out with. Other interesting wildlife there could include Raft Spiders and both Sand Lizards and Smooth Snakes, however if it's dragonflies and damselflies that you're after then the New Forest would probably be your best bet, Wareham Forest can't compete with the number of species seen there!
Guy

[cwpbirder]

Guy F,
would be grateful for info re Wareham Forest site for Black Darter as there's also a Large Tortoiseshell at Durlston at present and could combine the two....

[derekmc]

It might be a bit far away to be of any help, but there's a pretty reliable site in Berkshire at Sole Common Pond, just south of Newbury. It's run by our local county trust (BBOWT) so you can get details from their website.

Hope this helps.
Derek

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by cwpbirder

Guy F,
would be grateful for info re Wareham Forest site for Black Darter as there's also a Large Tortoiseshell at Durlston at present and could combine the two....

Well the place to go is Morden Bog (National Nature Reserve). It's the closest thing I have to a local patch and it's fantastic for wildlife. Last time I visited the Black Darters had just emerged and were all over the reserve, but as their flight season progresses they tend to congregate more around the wetter areas.
Another spot in Dorset you may like to try is Hartland Moor, very near the Arne RSPB reserve. Black Darters are fairly common here too, and there's a good variety of heathland wildlife there as well.
Feel free to pm me if you want any further information and good luck on your quest.
Guy

[cwpbirder]

Thanks for all the info, opted for New Forest in the end, had excellent views of the Black Darters at Slufter's Pond today, 6-8 individuals at least, also 2 Keeled Skimmers there - both new species for me. Latchmore Brook produced Golden-ringed Dragonflies, Beautiful Demoiselles, and Brown and Southern Hawkers.
Also brief views of a Honey Buzzard over the forest late morning.