Ashford in the Water Dragonfly Report – August 2023 by Simon Unwin

Another disappointing dragonfly month with little to report.  The continuing poor, unsettled weather with overcast, damp and breezy days have suppressed much of the activity that we expect at this time of the summer.  Even on days of improved weather the numbers of active dragonflies on the water have been very low.  This is especially true of damselflies.  Only the North Lake at Thornbridge has seen anything like good numbers, with Common Blue and Small Red-eyed Damselflies being numerous when the sun has emerged.  By contrast Thornbridge South Lake has been notably quiet for the past 6 weeks.  Emerald Damselflies are around but in very small numbers and have yet to appear on the Fin Cop/Pennyunk Lane ponds.

The main positive has been the number of sightings of Common Hawkers, which have been seen regularly at Thornbridge, Brock’s Pond and the wet flush on Shady Lane Meadow (caused by the leaking reservoir).  This is a big improvement on last year’s few sightings.  Southern Hawkers are also in evidence and Migrant Hawkers starting to appear on the scene.  The Brown Hawker seems to have been particularly badly affected by the weather as the month progressed.  I have seen a few females laying their eggs around the lake margins, but no sightings of males on the wing since early in the month.

Of the chasers, skimmers and darters, only the Common Darter has been seen this month, in much reduced numbers than I would normally expect.  Having seen Ruddy Darters very early in the season I am disappointed not to have recorded the species at all in August.

I remain hopeful that the promised fine weather for early September might provide a more upbeat report for the last few weeks of the season.