Third Time Lucky

 So far this year I've tried both Barnwell CP and Priors Hall in my search for county Downy Emeralds and  my efforts have been attended by no success whatsoever. Today I took another punt on Priors Hall, the promise of sunny intervals were enough to persuade me that it might be worthwhile even if the breeze was a little blowy. Unusually the X4 was more or less on time and I found my self at Priors just before eleven.

Common Blue and Azure Damselfly

Butterflies are at a low ebb at the moment, many of the spring species have finished while the summer species are just beginning to emerge. Several tatty looking Common Blues and a few Small Heaths were seen in the old quarry area near the lake where two Meadow Browns were also noted. Closer to the ponds a Small Tortoiseshell was the highlight, this once common species is getting harder to find. Around the ponds themselves Speckled Woods dominated proceedings as the new generation mingle with survivors from the first brood. Not much in the way of birds to report though both male and female Cuckoos were heard.

violacea form of Blue-tailed Damselfly and Black-tailed Skimmer

Odes were my main target today and the first species to show were damsels with Azure, Large Red and Blue-tailed all being logged before I reached the ponds. I took up station at the pond where I've seen Downy Emeralds in the past and hoped for the best. The forecast sunny intervals were not quite as long as I would have liked but there were enough to give some hope. Initially I was distracted by the swarm of Four-spotted Chasers buzzing around the pond harrying and chasing any other dragons that entered their patch. Eventually patience was rewarded as a male Downy Emerald was noted on several occasions though it was attended by Four-spots on every occasion and I struggled to get a picture.  I did manage to grab a pretty dodgy record shot after about an hour but it was far from being one of my finest efforts. Cloudy spells were getting longer and longer and I decided to head back towards Weldon and my return bus home but before I did so I added Hairy Dragonfly, Emperor, Scarce Chaser and my first Black-tailed Skimmer of the year to my day list.

Four-spotted Chaser and Downy Emerald record shot