Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male on patrol
I haven't ventured out in search of dragonflies during October for quite a few years, however an unexpected upturn in the weather begged me to get my boots on for a late look at the local pond.
There were at least two dozen Common Darters in-cop and another two dozen single males along with a dozen Migrant Hawker on the wing, one allowing a late-season chance to grab a shot.
Tags: Aeshna Aeshna mixta Aeshnidae Animals Anisoptera Arthropoda Dragonflies Dragonfliy Insecta Migrant Hawker Nature Nikon D7100 Odonata Paul Ritchie Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro wildlife www.hampshiredragonflies.co.uk
Willow Emerald (Chalcolestes viridis) - male
Since I first discovered the local pons last July I've managed a count of 15 species.
I thought I might add to that with some FSC this season but didn't encounter one.
The presence of Bullrush should also attract Ruddy Darter and Brown Hawker, but as yet no sightings.
I popped in last week in the hope of maybe a RVD or other migrant considering the wind direction. Wishful thinking maybe, but it doesn't hurt to look.
Plenty of Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Common Blue, a few Blue-tailed, a Southern Hawker and the 16th species encountered at this wonderful urban pond.
One shot only managed before I lost him. I did search thoroughly for another encounter but he eluded me.
A new resident or a late summer visitor from across the channel? They have been recorded at Swanwick a short distance away and Titchfield Haven further east, so we'll see.
A nice positive to end the season
Tags: Animals Arthropoda Butterflies Chalcolestes viridis Chalkhill Blue Damselflies Insecta Lepidoptera Lestes viridis Lestidae Lycaenidae Nature Nikon D7100 Odonata Old Netley Paul Ritchie Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro Willow Emerald Zygoptera damselfly wildlife www.hampshiredragonflies.co.uk
Eternaly grateful for a last blast of sunshine, if a little too late.
Robbed of a proper summer I was a little too eager and was mostly found wanting last weekend.
It took a few days of uninterupted warmth to really bring the odos out of hiding, and the difference was noticeable.
I also had a late season gift during the week which I'll post later, so in the interest of variety here's one from a rare sunny day in August.
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - male on patrol
Tags: Aeshna Aeshna cyanea Aeshnidae Animals Anisoptera Arthropoda Bentley Wood Dragonflies England Hampshire Insecta Nature Nikon D7100 Odonata Paul Ritchie Places Sigma 70-200mm 2:8 Southern Hawker wildlife www.hampshiredragonflies.co.uk
We had some unscheduled free time last week so at the last minute we decided to visit an old haunt for the first time this year. I wasn't expecting a great deal, just hoped for a glimpse of Hampshire's newest resident species to make up for missing the Brilliant Emeralds this year.
Willow Emerald (Chalcolestes viridis) - male
Tags: Animals Arthropoda Bramshill Plantation Damselflies Insecta Lestes viridis Lestidae Nature Nikon D7100 Odonata Paul Ritchie Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro Willow Emerald Zygoptera damselfly wildlife www.hampshiredragonflies.co.uk
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - male
It's been rather quiet lately and it's also been a typical British Bank Holiday, to the extent that unless sunshine was guaranteed I really didn't want another disappointing day.
Thankfully there was one day last week where I came home satisfied.
Tags: Aeshna Aeshna mixta Aeshnidae Animals Anisoptera Arthropoda Bramshill Plantation Dragonflies Dragonfliy Insecta Migrant Hawker Nature Nikon D7100 Odonata Paul Ritchie Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro wildlife www.hampshiredragonflies.co.uk