Dragonflies
We will be adding photos of all the species we see over the coming months, if you have a nice shot you would like to share please get in touch
Black-tailed Skimmer photographed by Steve Jones 07/07/13
Went along to Bell Lake Marsh with David Chapman today to do a bit of background work on the article that he is writing about the RRR work along the valley since we started last September and was treated to an absolutely fantastic display of aerial acrobatics and dog fights over the new scrape! It couldn't have been a better example of the good that we have done, 2 or 3 Four Spot Chasers scrapping it out for supremecy with a Broad Bodied Chaser & couple of Keeled Skimmers while the damselflies looked on. Plus sitting there around the edge of the scrape as they do around countless reservoirs and farm ponds was a totally new species for the site! A male Black-tailed Skimmer!!! How good is that! "Build it and they will come!" - Steve
Went along to Bell Lake Marsh with David Chapman today to do a bit of background work on the article that he is writing about the RRR work along the valley since we started last September and was treated to an absolutely fantastic display of aerial acrobatics and dog fights over the new scrape! It couldn't have been a better example of the good that we have done, 2 or 3 Four Spot Chasers scrapping it out for supremecy with a Broad Bodied Chaser & couple of Keeled Skimmers while the damselflies looked on. Plus sitting there around the edge of the scrape as they do around countless reservoirs and farm ponds was a totally new species for the site! A male Black-tailed Skimmer!!! How good is that! "Build it and they will come!" - Steve
Common Darter (Male) photographed by Gary Barlow 20/10/12
It's 20th October 2012 and there are still tens of Common Darter dragonflies around the marsh, fighting, mating and ovipositing all over the place.
It's 20th October 2012 and there are still tens of Common Darter dragonflies around the marsh, fighting, mating and ovipositing all over the place.
Emperor (Female) photographed by Gary Barlow 11/08/13
This fiesty female saw off the male guarding the scrape before getting to work ovipositing on the vegetation, she backed as far into the water as possible before placing the eggs.
This fiesty female saw off the male guarding the scrape before getting to work ovipositing on the vegetation, she backed as far into the water as possible before placing the eggs.
Four-spot Chaser photographed by Gary Barlow 13/07/13
This Four-spot Chaser was jealously guarding a small patch of Bell Lake from all-comers.
This Four-spot Chaser was jealously guarding a small patch of Bell Lake from all-comers.
Golden Ring Dragonfly photographed by Gary Barlow 26/08/2013
Late summer sees the best numbers of Golden Ring dragonflies hunting along the river, along the edges of paths and areas of trees.
Late summer sees the best numbers of Golden Ring dragonflies hunting along the river, along the edges of paths and areas of trees.
Migrant Hawker Dragonfly photographed by Gary Barlow
A first for the site, we saw at least two of these beautiful Migrant Hawkers during the day.
A first for the site, we saw at least two of these beautiful Migrant Hawkers during the day.
Damsels
Azure Damselfly (Male and Female) in the classic "Wheel" mating position photographed by Gary Barlow 13/07/13
After a delayed start the Azures seem to have had a great year, there were literally hundreds around Bell lake today.
After a delayed start the Azures seem to have had a great year, there were literally hundreds around Bell lake today.
Beautiful Damoiselle (Male) photographed by Gary Barlow 11/08/13