Some months ago, when discussing a Barn Owl survey with Sallie Corfield, who is Community Ranger for The National Forest, Forestry Commission England, Sallie (who knew of my dragonfly interest) invited me to visit Usbourne Pool, in the Sence Valley Forest Park. She and a colleague showed me the pool, which looked quite promising, although it was long before the start of the dragonfly season. Sallie was keen for me to report on what Odonates were at the pool, and also invited me to assist at a couple of events planned for later in the year. These were invitations that I was happy to accept.
For various reasons, including health and weather, I did not manage to visit until the afternoon of Thursday 4th July.
Having parked my car at the lower car park, I set off towards Usbourne Pool. I had not gone very far at all, however, before I reached a bridge over a stream. Looking over the bridge I saw a couple of male Banded Demoiselle. I was able to get down to the water's edge below the bridge, and one of the demoiselles obliged for some photos.
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| Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) (male) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
I kept my eyes open, but saw very little until I reached Usbourne Pool, towards the west side of the park.
On arrival, I was immediately impressed by what was visible. A Ruddy Darter was close to my arrival point.
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| Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) (male) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
Emperors were around, with a female ovipositing and a couple of males occasionally interacting with each other on the wing. I spent most of my time here trying to photograph these.
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| Emperor (Anax imperator) (female - ovipositing) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
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| Emperor (Anax imperator) (male) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
When my arms started to ache with attempting the flight shots, I resorted to recording some of the other species here. I was particularly pleased to see Red-eyed Damselfly here as, in the past, I have travelled out-of-county to find these. However, this species stayed distant on this occasion.
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| Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum) (male + female in tandem) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
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| Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) (male) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
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| Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) (male + female in cop) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
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| Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) (immature male) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
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| Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) (male) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
A few Blue-tailed Damselflies were seen, but not photographed and a blue hawker was seen briefly a few times at a great distance and also not photographed - if it wasn't so early in the year I'd have guessed at Migrant Hawker.
Soon after setting off back towards the car park, I found a Black-tailed Skimmer on the path, but it wasn't very obliging.
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| Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) (male) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
I checked below the bridge over the stream again before reaching my car, and there were two female Banded Demoiselle there. Both, however, were in awkward positions and I did not manage any shots with the whole of the body in focus. I include these two, however, as I think they show that the female is just as spectacular as the male, although very different.
On the basis of what I saw at Sence Valley Forest Park that afternoon, I resolved to spend much more time there. Usbourne Pool was not an ideal place for observation and photography as only a small length of its margin is accessible, but it's still a great place. Sadly, a week after this visit I fell ill, and had to cancel my attendance at the two planned events, and it looks as if I might not be able to make it back there before the end of this year's dragonfly season - but fingers are crossed!
My thanks to Sallie for an introduction to this place, and my apologies for not being able to monitor it for the season - hopefully next year!?
Thank you for visiting. I have a feeling that my next post might feature a visit to Norfolk which didn't turn out as expected, but provided some wonderful and unexpected encounters. It will be a very long post (unless I split it) - sorry Diane!
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| Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) (female) - Sence Valley Forest Park |
My thanks to Sallie for an introduction to this place, and my apologies for not being able to monitor it for the season - hopefully next year!?
Thank you for visiting. I have a feeling that my next post might feature a visit to Norfolk which didn't turn out as expected, but provided some wonderful and unexpected encounters. It will be a very long post (unless I split it) - sorry Diane!
An amazing series of images, Richard. It is too bad that you were unable to spend more time at this location and provide valuable information to Sallie, but these images no doubt are very welcomed by her. As you point out the dragonfly season will soon be coming to an end, but next year will be here before you know it. My curiosity is piqued about your trip to Norfolk and I look forward to seeing your post(s).
ReplyDeleteThank you for the much-appreciated words of encouragement, David.
DeleteI have realised that, although the visit to Norfolk only amounted to little over one and a half days on site, I have to split the visit report into two parts! I'm scheduling Pt.1 for the middle of next week.
Diane will be grateful.
Delete;-}
DeleteThese are top quality. Good to see you getting out again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Adrian, but these were taken ten days before my stay in hospital! Not managed any photographic forays yet, although I was taken out to lunch on Tuesday and managed 5 minutes beside a pond - sadly, with little to show for it!
DeleteA nice heart warming feeling seeing these lovely images Richard. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those kind words, Marc, which, coming from 'the master', mean a lot to me!
DeleteTravelling through France at the moment with friends from the USA so time is limited, at Lourdes now for 2 nights and excellent WiFi connection!! Fabulous photos, well done Richard. I should be back in circulation early September. Hope your health is on the mend. Best wishes Diane
ReplyDeleteI hope that you are having a wonderful time, Diane. My next blog post will be a long one so I'll try and publish it before you get back home in the hope that you continue to have good WiFi on your travels! It looks as if my health is moving in the right direction, and I'm trying to resist the temptation to over-do it because of all the work that needs doing in the garden - got a bit carried away today, however, as I had a large dead cotoneaster to take down and cut up. I'll let you into a secret - until about 20 years ago I thought theat the name was pronounced 'cotton- easter'!
DeleteMy very best wishes - - - Richard
Think your long post will be when back at home! We go home tomorrow, then all other trips will be based from the house!! October we are off to South Africa so I will be far behind with blogs and comments then. Plans uncertain for Xmas so the remainder of this year is going to be uncertain. Cheers and take care Diane. P.S. I only learnt the correct pronunciation because Nigel told me what the plant was!!!!
DeleteSorry, Diane. With you in mind I have, however, split it into two parts, although the two parts only cover one and a half days in total!
DeleteI wish you a safe journey home. Take good care - - - Richard
So beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne!
DeleteExcellent collection of outstanding images,super shots each and every one,my favourite is the flight shot.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
John.
Thank you, John. Your kind words are much-appreciated.
DeleteYour opening two photographs of the Banded Demoiselle are stunning! The female images later in the post are also spectacular. I can see why you're excited about returning to this lovely spot!
ReplyDeleteAll of these photos make me want to go back and ask my odonate subjects for a "do-over" so I won't feel so guilty about posting such poor quality images compared to your work.
Gini and I hope you are having a good day today. You and Lindsay remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Those Banded Demoiselle are great subjects, Wally. It's just a question of getting reasonable camera settings, a bit of sunshine, and getting square onto them and then they do all the hard work.
DeleteAs for your own odonata images, there's nothing shabby about the ones I've seen, and I've been very envious of many of them.
I've overdone it a bit today, but intend to have a more relaxed weekend. Otherwise, things seem to be moving in the right direction. Thank you for your very kind words. I still live in hope that one day Lindsay and I will have the pleasure of meeting up with you both - until then, my very best wishes - - - Richard
Hello Richard,
ReplyDeleteYou were able to enjoy yourself with these beautiful dragonflies. The meadow broiler is really a very nice lady that I also like to see. I have them in the photo too, but I can't get to know them. You can enjoy it here again. I will continue to your next blog.
Greetings, Helma
Dear Helma. Thank you for your visit. I'd love to know what it is that you are calling a 'meadow broiler' If I put 'meadow broiler' into Google it comes up with images of chickens!
DeleteWith my very best wishes - - - Richard
Hello Richard, you managed to see a lot of Dragonflies and Damselflies, the photos of them are most wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe setting and colours are great. Glad to see you so active.
Take care,
Roos
Hi Roos. I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed the photos. They were, however, taken before I went into hospital - I'm not out and actively taking photos yet, but hope to have my first photo visit next week to a local site with not too much walking and plenty of benches where I can sit down and take a rest!
DeleteWith my very best wishes - - - Richard
Great series of the Dragonflies Richard.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob. It was a most enjoyable session and I hope to get back there before it's all over for this year!
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