Ashford in the Water Dragonfly Report – July 2023 by Simon Unwin

A largely disappointing month from a dragonfly perspective due to the seasonally cool, wet and cloudy weather.  When the sun disappears, so do the dragonflies.  With temperatures struggling to reach 20C and rain falling on most days my activities have been curtailed somewhat.  Still, there has been some dragonfly activity and things to see in the brief warmer, brighter spells.

One notable success was the sighting of Banded Demoiselle Damselflies along the river.  I have recorded this species previously, but only a few sightings of single males.  This month I have seen them in greater numbers and also seen females here for the first time.  Unfortunately, most sightings have been on the opposite, south-facing riverbank and not having access there I have been frustrated in my attempts to get some decent close-up photographs!

Another significant species is the Small Red-eyed Damselfly, which I recorded in small numbers in late June at Thornbridge . This now occurs on all the Thornbridge lakes and in ever greater numbers. On one rare sunny day the North Lake was covered with hundreds of males, females and mating pairs.  This remains the only site where this species has been recorded in the Peak District.

On a cool, overcast day mid-month I  found a single female Willow Emerald Damselfly sheltering in the reedbeds by the North Lake.  Like the Small Red-eyed Damselfly, this is another recent addition to the UK, recorded for the first time in the area late last summer.  An early sighting.

The two red darter species, Common Darter and Ruddy Darter have also put in an early appearance this year.  The dense Reedmace vegetation on the Little Lake at Thornbridge and Brock’s Pond are particularly good habitat for Ruddy Darters.  Both species are still in low numbers but will be increasingly in evidence as the summer progresses.  The Common Darter, along with Azure Damselflies and Broad-bodied Chasers has also taken advantage of the wet flush area in Shady Lane Meadow resulting from the leaking reservoir on the hillside above.

Black-tailed Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chaser and Four-spotted Chasers have all been recorded in July, though these last two have probably now reached the end of their normal flight period.

Of the large hawker dragonflies, Common Hawker, Southern Hawker and Brown Hawker have all put in an appearance, but The Emperor Dragonfly remains the most regular sighting at Thornbridge, Brock’s Pond and Jill and Paul’s dewpond at Pennyunk Lane 1, where I have taken many photographs of females busy laying their eggs among the floating vegetation.  The Common Hawker is badly named as it is far from common in southern Britain, and seems to be increasingly scarce in our area.

July Species List

Banded Demoiselle                                                           Common Hawker

Willow Emerald Damselfly                                              Southern Hawker

Azure Damselfly                                                                 Brown Hawker

Common Blue Damselfly                                                 Emperor Dragonfly

Blue-tailed Damselfly                                                       Broad-bodied Chaser

Small Red-eyed Damselfly                                               Four-spotted Chaser

                                                                                               Black-tailed Skimmer

                                                                                               Ruddy Darter

                                                                                               Common Darter

Simon Unwin

August 2nd 2023