There be dragons

A wonderful dragonfly walk at the start of the month by Steve Rowland of the NWT (Norfolk Wildlife Trust) accompanied by Di his lovely wife. I was delighted to be Steve’s guest at Royden Common as he showed members of the NNNS (Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society) and allcomers, the heath and what thrives there. Some excellent conservation work by excellent naturalists.

I managed to get some half decent photos of Black Darter that were flying around the pools. Remember anyone can attend the NNNS events usually (but not always) at no cost. See http://norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-page/#main for details.

Dragons Den

A couple of photos of dragons taken last week. Firstly a Southern Hawker at Foxley Wood and a Black Darter (female) taken on the recent Cumbria Butterfly Tour.

Southern Hawker

Black darter (female)

Darting about

A tour a couple of weeks ago took to the marshes. The forecast wasn’t good but as usual Norfolk came good with a little sunshine. Out of nowhere our target appeared … sooner than I expected.

Black Darters are not common in Norfolk but we managed to find half a dozen plus a few other dragons and butterflies.

Living in an acid environment

When you read the description of a Black Darter it says that it’s a very diminutive dragonfly mainly black in colour. Not something you would normally write home about. Well …the males anyway.
Last month we paid a visit to the acid bogs around The Wash. Small pools here among the heather held Dragonflies galore. Among them were Black Darters. Only just bigger than a damselfly they were easily overlooked; until we saw the females; like little girls in bright summer dresses dancing among the matching luminescent yellow Bog Asphodel. Unmistakable.
Keeled Skimmers with lace like wings were also patrolling the ponds.
A wonderful place with some specialised wildlife.

As always click each photo to enlarge.