Mass emergence of Common Darters

[Malcolm Banks]

On Tuesday morning as I approached my pond at ca. 11.30 am, a flurry of Common Darters (Sympetrum striolatum) took off, most with the uncertain fluttery flight and pale body colours of newly emerged adults. I checked the stems in the pond and counted 14 larval cases, plus 2 still in the processs of emerging, 16 in total. I know they had all emerged that day because I had removed all existing cases (they had been appearing at the rate of 1 or 2 per day for the previous week) the evening before. On the two days since I have been back to 1 or 2 per day. I suppose conditions may have been just right but wonder whether anyone else has noticed a larger than normal emergence of S.striolatum on Tuesday, or on any one particular day, or know if this is a characteristic of the Common Darter?
M

[Tobyh]

Well firstly, lucky you, i'd love to see that happen...where are the photos!! I'd be there for hours with my camera

My pond is fairly new so can't help you there - I have larvae but won't hatch for a year or two.

I can't advise on Common Darter but on Wednesday this week there were a HUGE number of hawkers in the air at Brede High Woods in Sussex. I would estimate around 200 or so with exaggerating, all around a relatively small heathland area.

TobyH

[JackintheGreen]

I had a similar thing in my garden pond last year when 13 Southern Hawkers emerged in 24 hours. Absolutely amazing! All of them quickly disappeared from the garden and I don't know if any of them returned to lay eggs. I guess I won't know for a couple of years. Fingers crossed.

[Malcolm Banks]

[quote=Tobyh;530022]Well firstly, lucky you, i'd love to see that happen...where are the photos!! I'd be there for hours with my camera

Yes I know, I have never been much of a camera person, but then I never had a pond until last year - must try harder.
I bet the flocks of Hawkers must have been like something out of a HItchcock movie!
M