Dragonflies and their Habitat here

 Exceptionally erratic weather this summer (and it's not over yet) meant that the first sightings of some species were delayed or made in slightly different locations. As usual the first dragonflies to be seen however were the Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies in May (see the post for the survey of 27th May 2021). The sightings of Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies was followed almost immediately by the Banded Demoiselle damselflies : 

Here is a male Banded Demoiselle perched on a leaf with an excellent view over the river.

It is a spectacular electric blue with translucent wings marked with a black 'thumb print' which identifies it wherever it is seen.

Males are often seen in groups flying and chasing just above the river surface or perched on fallen branches, plants and twigs but occasionally fly off overland,  whilst the metallic green females spend most time away from the water  unless ovipositing (depositing eggs) on floating plants.

Here is a female Banded Demoiselle damselfly moving on a Nettle leaf   29th July 2021

The females have greenish wings unlike the female Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly which has dark brown wings:

 see below for an example which captures what you would see if you spotted a female Beautiful Demoiselle in flight!

(A photo of the male on a Dock leaf is on the post for the Survey for 27th May 2021).

What do you see in common on all these photos?

A variety of lush green vegetation which is essential for the survival of dragonflies and damselflies - both aquatic and bank/field plants. These are essential  for the whole life-cycle of these insects, providing climbing stems and shelter for dragonflies when in larva form in the river and their emergence from the water, then providing platforms for watching for passing insects, then for ovipositing.

In bad weather the plants will be used for shelter, in common with most other insects such as butterflies, grasshoppers and moths.

NB Damselflies are in appearance more fragile than 'Dragonflies', perching with wings held closed over the back in most. rather than held out at right angles to the back. Both wings, from and back are the same basic shape and the eyes are separated (see first photo on this post -  male Banded Demoiselle). 

Dragonflies (common name for all Odonata) but separated by the name Anisoptera (unequal wings) from the Damselflies Zygoptera (equal wings) have a sturdier heavier body shape and powerful flight, wings held out from body when perching, with hind wings a different shape from front wings.

More on habitats and dragonflies in the next post.....