The Lincolnshire Bird Club

First Emerald Damselflies on the wing at Whisby today.

Also one of our volunteers took a intriguing photo of a Darter spp this morning, which I will comment on once I have had a second opinion. Watch this space!

Regards

Grahame

I hope its something exciting.

Richard Jones one of our photographic volunteers at Whisby took a superb photo of a immature female Yellow-winged Darter at Whisby last Saturday 16th June. Perhaps not surprisingly once it flew off it was not seen again; Whisbys a big place for a wandering Sympetrum!

There is little in the literature to indicate that the UK receives records at this time of year, but Adrian Parr, Migrant Dragonfly Project Officer with the BDS has kindly commented as follows;

''Late July/August records are more typical of the species in the UK, but there are occasional reports for June. In areas where they breed more regularly, June is a very normal date; in The Netherlands the first report I've heard about for this year was on 24 May.

Being an immature (white pterostigma) makes for an interesting situation. Is it one that got caught up in the substantial movements of Red-veined Darter that have taken place over the last few weeks, or is it locally-emerged? I've heard of no other British sightings as yet this year, and the record lags somewhat behind the peak of the R-vD reports. Therefore I guess there's a significant possibility that your individual is a 'local'. Hopefully if the sun stays out you might get a chance to look for further immatures, which would help resolve the situation.''

So Colin yes it was exciting as it's a Reserve first, even if I didn't get to see it! But seriously all Sympetrum spp encountered in Lincs at the moment are certainly worth a second look.

With thanks also to Andy Chick for helpful comments.

Regards

Grahame

Here is a link to Richard Jone's image



Regards

Andrew Chick

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Andrew Chick
Website: http://www.forktail.co.uk/

hello Grahame, that is a brilliant photo, i hope more turn up, last year they appeared in most of the surrounding counties except Lincolnshire, maybe this is the year for them.
also they started to appear at Rainham Marshes RSPB in Essex 17/6/07, http://www.elbf.co.uk/wildsightings.htm if your interested.

Colin Pumfrett.