A strange spring with a sudden heat wave seems to result in smaller shallower pools really getting underway, but larger waterbodies still with very few if any dragonflies. I checked a few larger sites yesterday and literally saw 2 dragonflies! I did however see Variable Damselfly at a private site near Shrewsbury mixed with Azure Damselflies which is always a challenge. A male Variable is shown left with exclamation marks on top of the thorax and a ‘stemmed goblet’ shape on segment 2 of the abdomen. David Williams photo of an azure male (below left) shows the contrasting complete antehumeral stripes and a U shape on segment 2 with no stem. The marking is also different at the end of the abdomen. Have a good look at Azure’s because they are common and Variable is not, though the latter can be a challenge with variable markings!
Elsewhere Stephen Barlow has sent in this lovely photo of Broad-bodied Chaser at Whixall and David Williams has seen the first Red-eyed Damselflies out and about. Jan Shields saw numerous Red-eyed Damselflies at Mousecroft Pool (below left and right) doing what they always do and ‘owning’ the lily pads. Remember Mousecroft has had Downy Emerald Dragonfly in previous years so keep an eye out if you visit…
