Dragonfly News 2004

RED-EYED DAMSELFLY Erythromma najas
Carlton Marshes - June 7th (male).
Corton sewage works - June 13th (2).
Kirkley Fen Park/Watermeadows - July 1st (1), 24th, 31st (several); August 2nd (a few).
Lound Waterworks - August 29th (several), September 12th (5).
On August 8th the following species were recorded at Kirkley Fen: Red-eyed , Small-Red-eyed, Azure, and Blue tailed Damselflies; Emperor Dragonfly; Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Broad-bodied Chaser and Migrant Hawker.

SMALL RED-EYED DAMSELFLY Erythromma viridulum
The first one's of 2004 were noted at Corton sewage works on July 22nd. By the 30th at the sites listed below this was the commonest damselfly!

Kirkley - This species continues its remarkable expansion with three new sites discovered in the Kirkley area at the end of July. The increase in numbers over a couple of days is also impressive. They increased from 2 on July 31 to getting on for 200 on August 2nd. c20 were on the new Fen Park pond, c100 on the new Meadow Pond and c50 on the "Kingfisher Dyke". There were pairs together and ovipositing in all three sites.
Corton Sewage Works - July 22nd, 30th (common), August 7th (common, with two pairs ovipositing), September 1st (common, many pairs ovipositing).
Lound Waterworks - July 28th (20+), August 7th (20+).
Corton Woods - July 30th (several).
Gunton (private site) - July 30th (very common).
Kirkley Fen Park/Watermeadows - July 31st (2).

Smile for the camera!
Small Red-eyed Damselfly - Corton - September 1st, 2004 - ©Andrew Easton

AZURE DAMSELFLY Coenagrion puella
Holly Road, Oulton Broad - June 9th (several).
Corton sewage works - June 13th ( 3 pairs ovipositing).

VARIABLE DAMSELFLY Coenagrion pulchellum
Carlton Marshes - May 15th (numerous including many freshly emerged).

COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagma cyathigerum
Lound Waterworks - June 7th-12th (very common), September 12th (7+).
Corton sewage works - June 13th (many).
North Cove - July 6th (very common).
Corton sewage works - September 1st (3).

BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLY Ischnura elegans
Corton sewage works - June 13th (many).
Mutford - May 15th (1).

MIGRANT HAWKER Aeshna mixta
Numerous at Corton and Burgh Castle on August 28th.
Lound Waterworks - September 12th (Numerous).

SOUTHERN HAWKER Aeshna cyanea
Corton Old Sewage Works - August 22nd (1).
Corton disused railway track - August 28th (1).

BROWN HAWKER Aeshna grandis
Kirkley Fen - August 2nd (1).
Burgh Castle - August 2nd (2).
Corton disused railway track - August 28th (3).

NORFOLK HAWKER Anaciaeschna isoceles
Several were on the wing at Carlton Marshes from June 7th-11th.
One was seen at Lound water works on June 7th where the species was recorded for the first time at this site in 2003. Three were seen there on June 26th.
North Cove - July 6th (10+).

EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax imperator
Carlton Marshes - June 6th (male).
Corton sewage works - June 13th (2 males + female ovipositing), 30th (male), August 7th (female ovipositing).
North Cove - July 6th (1 male).
Kirkley Fen - July 24th (7), August 2nd (4).
Corton Woods - 30th (female ovipositing).

HAIRY DRAGONFLY Brachytron pratense
Carlton Marshes - May 15th (1).
Mutford - May 14th (1).

FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER Libellula quadrimaculata
Kirkley Fen - July 24th (1 - new for the site).

BROAD-BODIED CHASER Libellula depressa
Corton sewage works - June 13th 4 (3 males + 1 female).
North Cove - July 6th (2).
Kirkley Fen - August 2nd (male).

Broad-bodied Chaser - Kirkley Fen - August 2nd, 2004 - ©Richard Smith

BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER Orthetrum cancellatum
Kirkley Fen - July 1st (several), August 2nd (several).

COMMON DARTER Sympetrum striolatum ****
Mating pairs were noted at Gunton Beach on October 26th and at Corton disused railtrack on October 31st.
Noted at Blundeston Marshes and Kessingland on November 14th.

RUDDY DARTER Sympetrum sanguineum
Lound Waterworks - August 7th (1), September 12th (2).
Carlton Marshes - August 8th (1).
Burgh Castle - August 28th (1).

[ RED-VEINED DARTER Sympetrum fonscolombii
None have been seen at Corton sewage works so far this this year. In 2003 the first sighting was on August 2 when a male was seen. Earlier this year hundreds of goldfish were seen in the pool which doesn't bode well. Lets just hope the local Grey Heron polishes them off or preferably a passing Great White Egret!!! ]


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