A visit to Dorset 1 - 7.7.2007

A week in the Purbeck area of Dorset enabled a few visits to the heaths in search of Odonata. The weather was very windy all week and sun was in short supply.


Female Cordulegaster boltonii Photo © David Kitching 2007

1.7.07
On heathland near Furzebrook (SY937834) a male Emperor Dragonfly was feeding busily.


Male Ceriagrion tenellum Photo © David Kitching 2007


Female Ceriagrion tenellum Photo © David Kitching 2007

4.7.07
On a day of wind and rain interspersed with sunny intervals the most productive spot was along the rides amidst the pine plantations at Wytch Heath (SY973853). Here we found Beautiful Demoiselle with Common Darter, Southern Hawker and Golden-ringed Dragonfly. The latter species was particularly numerous.


Female Lestes sponsa Photo © David Kitching 2007


Female Sympetrum danae Photo © David Kitching 2007


Boggy pools on Middlebere HeathPhoto © David Kitching 2007

6.7.07
Still windy but not wet and we ventured onto the National Nature Reserve at Middlebere Heath (SY943853). This is a large expanse of heathland with a number of boggy pools. Careful searching soon led to several Small-red Damselflies low down around the ditches. We also found a teneral male Keeled Skimmer, a female Black Darter and several Emerald Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.


Teneral male Orthetrum coerulescens Photo © David Kitching 2007


MaleCordulegaster boltonii Photo © David Kitching 2007



If you have made any Odonata observations in Cheshire and would like to share them with others or wish to take part in the recording scheme please email me.


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© David Kitching 2007

Last updated 17.7.2007