Sculpture by the Lakes is a site for nature conservation interest (SNCI) particularly for its dragonflies and damselflies. Damselflies are the smaller species of this group of insects and sometimes end up as prey to the dragonflies. The first photo, heading this report shows a blue male Azure damselfly mobbing an Emperor dragonfly while she is busy laying eggs.
May/June is an excellent time to start looking for species like the Hairy Hawker dragonfly (which really is hairy) because they won’t be flying in the later summer months.
The Downy Emerald is also more common in the early summer season. This dragonfly appears rather drab in the shade but is transformed to a flashy metallic green/bronze colour in the sunshine with green eyes to match.
Whilst on the subject of eyes, the Red-eyed damselfly is also on the wing right now and easy to spot.
To find out more, come along to a Wild Wednesday event.