The Dragonflies

 

Without a permanent water source in the wood, our list of Odonata will be restricted to those that disperse for part of their adult life. They can be seen chasing, hawking and cruising along the woodland edges, but can be tricky to identify in flight. 

Watch them carefully and many species will settle on a prominent perch either to sunbathe or to wait for prey to approach within range.

Dragonflies are cold-blooded insects and need to warm up before the rigours of their day. During the dark, cold hours, they hide amongst the undergrowth, but once the sun comes out, they can be seen basking from plant stalks and on leaves. Some hang vertically from a twig. Their preferred method of sunbathing can help to identify them.

Bicknor Wood's Odonata catalogue currently stretches to 7 species. 2 of them could be easily identified as they flew by, but 5 stopped to allow a photograph.

Zygoptera, Damselflies; These very slim dragonflies are seen with their wings folded along their body when at rest.

Banded Demoiselle, Calopteryx splendens - no photograph

Azure Damselfly, Coenagrion puella

Azure Damselfly, Coenagrion puella

Anisoptera, True Dragonflies; These dragonflies rest with their wings outstretched.

Migrant Hawker, Aeshna mixta

Migrant Hawker, Aeshna mixta

Brown Hawker, Aeshna grandis - no photograph

Blue Emperor, Anax imperator

Blue Emperor, Anax imperator

Broad-bodied Chaser, Libellula depressa

Broad-bodied Chaser, Libellula depressa

Ruddy Darter, Sympetrum sanguineum

Ruddy Darter, Sympetrum sanguineum

Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum

Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum

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