The Lincolnshire Bird Club

While looking for any interesting dragon's and butterflies at Snakeholme pit this afternoon,i saw a total of at least 33 Small-red eyed Damselflies on the small pit there,they where mostly males,but managed a total of 4 females,this included 3 which where paired up with males and where ovi-positing.I don't know if this is a new record for the site,but it is quite early as far as iam aware for the species.I saw a male in Norfolk in 2006 on the 20th June.It would be interesting if anyone else comes across any,now i have seen these.
Other species seen here where as follows:
17 Blue-tailed Damselfly
75 Azure Damselfly
67 Common-blue Damselfly
2 male Red-eyed Damselfly
1 Four-spot Chaser
1 male Banded Demoiselle
1 teneral male Ruddy Darter.

Earlier at Southrey Wood:1 male Broad-bodied Chaser,1 teneral male Ruddy Darter.


Regards


Steve.

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http://www.LincolnshireOdes.blogspot.com

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Several Small Red-eyed Damselflies were out and about on Mill Pond at Gib Point yesterday July 2nd. Ovopositing etc.

Hello Steve

I’m pretty sure that S R-e Damsels will be a new record for this site as, to be honest, I was totally unaware of the existence of Snakeholme Pit and I’m sure I’m not alone! However, now that I know, I’m sure to visit the place sometime. They evidently spread into several new areas of Lincolnshire last year after Kevin DuRose found the first Lincs records (at Crowland if memory serves me right?) in 2006.

I also agree that at first glance the date seems early, I’ve only ever seen the species in August, but a quick check of the literature has the following first dates for the last 3 years.

2007 10th June Sussex
2006 11th June Suffolk
2005 23rd June Kent

For this year (2008) the first date appears to be 17th June in Essex. All southern counties where we might expect earlier emergence granted, but assuming that the species has now colonised the county and is successfully breeding, perhaps we should expect to see the first emerging individuals in July with but with the larger numbers peaking in August?

Regardless a good find and certainly a reminder that any Erythromma spp encountered in Lincs is most certainly worth a second look!

Regards

Grahame

Hi Graham,
Thanks for the info and usefull comments,was aware that they had been seen earlier in the year elsewhere,but just thought it might have been early for this far north in the uk, but perhaps it isn't at all,we just need to start looking that bit earlier,they certainly are a successfull species,considering the first uk records where only in 1999.I will continue looking at other sites in the County,had a look at Messingham today,but all the suitable areas of water are inaccessable without a boat,but iam sure they will be somewhere on the reserve.


Regards



Steve.

_________________
http://www.brachytron.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.LincolnshireOdes.blogspot.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/routy