A visit to Lyveden New Bield

About 8 years ago, I conducted a survey of the dragonflies at Lyveden New Bield for English Heritage. They wanted to know what species were present and how to manage the ornamental ponds. Since then, they have dredged the ponds to remove silt. Judy & Terry Wood are frequent visitors and have recorded Scarce Chasers there. As I had some spare time on Saturday, I thought I'd make a return visit to see for myself what the current status is. I was pleased to record 12 species, which puts it near the top of the best sites in the County - there were 25 Emperors, including 8 ovipositing, Brown Hawkers, Common & Ruddy Darters, Red-eyed Damselflies, Banded Demoiselles, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies, Blue-tailed Damselflies, Emerald Damselflies, Four-spotted Chasers. The most significant of all was a very strong population of Small Red-eyed Damselflies, including many ovipositing pairs. There were also many recently fledged Swallows flying around the fields. Well worth a visit.

Tony Vials reports the usual species at Summer Leys, including emerging Migrant Hawkers on Saturday. I found 3 exuviae at Ditchford last Wednesday, but no adults.

I popped into Barnwell Country Park on Sunday, on the way home from Ounde Marina (they are opposite each other after all!). The lake on the left of the car park was buzzing with Emperors, Four-spots, and Black-tailed Skimmers. Rudy & Common Darters were also present along with the usual Damsellfies including Small Red-eyes. The river sections hosted many Banded Demoiselles. One Common Blue had very strange abdominal markings that I thought at first were damage, but when I photographed it from above appeared to be symmetrical. This species is known for aberrant markings, but this is the first one I have seen.

Female Brown Hawker, Ditchford

Ovipositing Brown Hawker, Ditchford

Ovipositing Brown Hawker, Ditchford

Four-spotted Chaser, Lyveden New Bield

Ovipositing Emperor, Lyveden New Bield

Ovipositing Small Red-eyed Damselflies, Lyveden New Bield

Ovipositing Small Red-eyed Damselflies, Lyveden New Bield

Mating pair of Small Red-eyed Damselflies, Lyveden New Bield

Mating pair of Small Red-eyed Damselflies with on-lookers, Lyveden New Bield

Ruddy Darter, Barnwell CP

Common Blue Damselfly with unusual markings, Barnswell CP

Black-tailed Skimmer, Barnwell CP