A pair of Large Red damselflies on the river bank, the male clinging to a Nettle leaf
On Monday, down at RSPB Pulborough Brooks, looking at Damselflies on the
mature Arun. The habitat here is less varied - with reeds and grasses and more open to the elements.
Damselflies were found mostly flying or perching low along the small channels.
It's different here on the Upper Arun and Boldings Brook:
Our damselflies use the prime riverbank plants with large leaves to perch and hunt from once
they have emerged. Hunting and exploring are the main aims in the teneral stage.
Nettle, Bramble and Dock leaves on the river bank offer perfect platforms and shelter too.
Here is a Blue-tailed Damselfly male feeling the warmth of the sun
Today's almost tropical warmth has seen the start of the Small Tortoiseshell
emergence. The nettles were full of caterpillars not so long ago
and now here are the results - fresh new butterflies using their other favourite plant - the Dock
to bask on it's broad leaves.
Rosa Canina flowering all along the river now, attracting bees
Below: A mature bush in the 'reptile field' on the river margin. 
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