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One of the 'sights of summer' are the dragonflies and damselflies (collectively termed Odonata) which patrol our freshwaters. Anyone who has been for example on Ferry Marsh over the past few days may well have seen up to four types of damselfly: blue-tailed, common blue, azure and large red.
Damselflies are the smaller of the two groups, with narrow bodies and relatively weak flight. Dragonflies by contrast are larger, faster, and mor active predators of flying insects. They also generally emerge a little later in the year, from mid-summer onwards. Today, I have seen my first dragonfly, a Hairy Dragonfly, scooting past the Shipyard Jetty, typically the first of the larger species to emerge, but until a few years ago, a rather scarce animal in Essex.. As the adults live for 3-4 weeks, and take several days to mature, they often disperse some way from their breeding areas, which in the case of this species could be any of the coastal grazing marshes of our area.
Now that dragonflies are emerging, look out for Hobbies which at this time of the year take dragonflies on the wing as a substantial part of their diet. -
Michael, that looks good for scarce chaser, but a young male rather than a female. Dragonflies that have just emerged (so called teneral specimens) take up to a week to develop their mature colouration, which in this case will be pale grey blue with a black tip. Its flattened abdomen, and overall orange colour with a black central stripe and its bright yellowish veins are a good pointer to scarce chaser, but a female is likely to have a broader body. Teneral dragpnflies are often found well away from breeding sites, as this pre-mature stage is all about feeding up and dispersing.
Scarce chaser until about ten years ago used to be found in Essex only in the middle reaches of the Stour. It then colonised the Colne upstream of Colchester, and has now started to pop up in all sorts of new localities, perhaps a response to climate change. It is still scarce though, and a good record (and lovely photo). For breeding it seems to prefer slow moving, well vegetated rivers with good water quality, not the habitat we would associate with the marshes. So if it sticks around please let me know...
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Chris.
Now that you have discovered what a haven for wildlife the old cemetery is and following our conversation in the best meeting place in Wivner, the Co op! You mentioned the possibility of setting up a Mothing evening in the Old Cem. Obviously there is the one on KGV already planned which looks brilliant but could we progress another? Happy to help with my Council hat on.
For anyone who has not examined these beautiful and versatile insects, I heartily recommend attending a Moth ID evening. They are completely unharmed by the process.
Brian S
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