Black Darter in Penwortham

[Colin Adams]

I was intending to go to Brockholes today, but when a bus didn't turn up in time, I switched to walking around Penwortham. First to Hurst Grange Park, where I got 8 species (the best day for a few years), finishing with an unexpected female Black Darter:

http://colina.demon.co.uk/?q=node/1914

The only other time I have had Black Darters (males only) was in September 2008, when there was a wide dispersal in Lancashire. So it's probably worth keeping a watchful eye out.

Moving on to Priory Meadow, I got the expected 9th species (Azure Damselflies mating - 3 males were present at HGP the day before, but it's getting late for the species, even in Priory Meadow) just as the clouds shut out the sun. I sat down for lunch, and was surprised to see a female Southern Hawker give a quick couple of circuits round the south pond (I expect from her behaviour that she was a virgin). This was a first for me at Priory Meadow (and also, probably, for the year), and the first time I have seen 10 species in a day in Penwortham.

I decided to press on the Howick Hall Farm. On the way I saw another Southern Hawker (this time a male) hawking in Blashaw Wood. I saw another male in the farmhouse garden, which was a first for me for HHF, as was a Brown Hawker ovipositing. But there wasn't much other joy, as the weather turned first overcast and then rainy.

But the farm owner told me about two other ponds, and these both turned out to have Blue-tails, more Azures each than at Priory Meadow, and Emerald Damselflies. The first one also had Common Darters, including tenerals, and a Brown Hawker male was hawking in the field.

A day full of firsts, so I'm glad the bus didn't show up.

[Colin Adams]

I forgot to add that Large Red Damselflies were still flying in HGP (which is quite late in the season), and Broad-bodied Chaers were flying at both HGP and Priory Meadow (the latest I have ever seen them anywhere).

[allen holmes]

Aug.11th.     2 Golden Ringed at Cross of Greet bridge, 1 male, 1 ovipositing female At Grindleton pond, 8 sp. inc 1 Common Hawker,1 fem Black Darter, 15+ Emerald inc 2 pr in tandem.           Allen Holmes. ---  On Sat, 4/8/12, Colin Adams <colinpa...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Colin Adams]

On Aug 4, 5:30 pm, Colin Adams <colinpaulad...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I was intending to go to Brockholes today, but when a bus didn't turn up in
> time, I switched to walking around Penwortham. First to Hurst Grange Park,
> where I got 8 species (the best day for a few years), finishing with an

> unexpected female Black Darter:http://colina.demon.co.uk/?q=node/1914<http://dragonfly.colina.demon.co.uk/?q=node/1914>

>
> The only other time I have had Black Darters (males only) was in September
> 2008, when there was a wide dispersal in Lancashire. So it's probably worth
> keeping a watchful eye out.

Two males today on the same pond, in overcast conditions.

Anyone else seeing signs of Black Darter dispersal this year?

[allen holmes]

Colin,
There has been 2 males this week at Brockholes photographed by Mike Foley.A typical autumn migrant/dispersal record.



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[allen holmes]

Phil Larkin has had 4 today (Sept 15th) at Brockholes.