12th June saw the emergence of 2 more species at Whixall Moss. Stephen Barlow recorded this teneral Common Hawker (left) and then Stephen and Nathan Brake both saw Emerald Damselflies (below left) on different areas of the moss. Both these species are nationally declining and both thrive in acidic boggy pools. Emerald Damselfly can be found elsewhere but certainly does well on the moss and similar habitats. These species are very much of interest to the Stepping Stones project further south in the Shropshire Hills so if you see them please do send in your records.
Elsewhere Jan Shields has been waiting since Sunday for this Southern Hawker female (below right) to take it’s maiden flight. At time of writing it’s been hanging on for 4 days….and looking out of my study window I’ll be surprised if it launches today!
