Volunteer Andrea Harrison (known to some as the Dragonfly Lady!) surveys our dragonflies and damselflies. She writes:
After one of the wettest springs, with the reserve closed on numerous occasions and water levels above the boardwalk, I approached this season’s surveys with interest as to the effects this may have on our dragonfly diversity and abundance. I still needed wellies in August to carry out the transects around the Big Pond! I was also interested in seeing any impact from the excavation to expand areas of open water on some of the ponds carried out last year.
The overall number of species observed has remained comparable with previous years, despite the bad weather’s probable impact on successful emergence and/or increasing predation on early emerging species. 16 species were seen whilst surveying and two additional species were observed at other times: that’s 18 of the UK’s 46 resident and probable colonists. This makes the reserve an important dragonfly and damselfly site because of the diversity of species and numbers.
A notable absentee from this year’s survey sightings was the Black-tailed skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). There were also fewer Emperor dragonfly sightings.
It wasn’t until the very end of April, on a cold (11 ºC) cloudy day, having had overnight temperatures below freezing, that I had my first sightings of not just one but three Hairy dragonflies (Brachytron pratense). This is not the usual first Odonata sighting of the year which is more likely to be a Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) or an Azure (Coenagrion puella).
Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve was blessed to be visited once again by Norfolk hawkers (Anaciaeshna isosceles). With this species spreading nationwide, we are on the lookout for possible future breeding here.
Some of the visitors to the 9 June Open air service and dragonfly walks had the opportunity to see a newly emerged Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) beside the Island Pond’s pond-dipping platform (see photo above).
Knowing the site and emergence behaviour of the various species helps with locating emerging dragonflies and enables you to have a privileged time to watch them at close range without them flying away as their wings are still expanding and drying. At this time, they are at their most vulnerable to predators.
An interesting mass mating and egg-laying event took place at Big Pond on 10 August, spotted by Sarah Leedham and viewed by the Friday Foxearth volunteers. It was all over in 20 minutes, with in excess of 50 pairs of Small red-eyed damselflies (Erythromma viridulum). This may be evidence that later emerging damselflies are unaffected by the weather. Up until this event few had been seen. Normally the males can be seen being very territorial, taking up position on the pads of the yellow water-lily Nuphar lutea.
The ponds that were excavated last year show a lot of promise. The area of the pond along the boardwalk with an extension as a viewing area, now has more open water and was a great spot for viewing Hairy dragonflies in early summer and Emperors patrolling later on.
Later species, in particular the Migrant hawker (Aeshna mixta), have been in abundance and along with the Willow emerald damselfly and the darters (Common and Ruddy). These were still seen in Autumn with perhaps a few Darters surviving into November.
Neighbouring counties including Cambridgeshire have been seeing more Southern migrant hawkers (Aeshna affinis), distinguished from Migrant hawkers by their distinctly bright blue eyes, greenish/yellow thorax and a blue triangular marking at the top of the abdomen. Once a rare migrant, they have in recent years started breeding in some areas of southern Britain. I saw my first this year at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire. Definitely one to be on the lookout for in 2025.
Although the season is drawing to a close there is a lot to look forward to in 2025. Enjoy what is left of the season and, come the spring, feel free to email details of those first early sightings of damselflies at the reserve to Sarah Leedham (details below) who will pass them onto me. It will be interesting to record and determine any shift in the start of the season.
Andrea Harrison
andreaharrison@outlook.com
Here are some prayer pointers for those who pray.
We give thanks for:
- Several successful school visits including one school visiting for the first time.
- Our amazing volunteers who make our activities possible.
Please pray for:
- More volunteers to come forward
- Foxearth Meadows to inspire others to take action for wildlife.
