More about Dragonflies and their habitat

 In the previous post the dragonflies described were Damselflies which are usually more commonly seen in late spring and mid summer whereas Dragonflies are more often seen later in the summer and into early autumn. The Damselflies in this area frequent slow moving rivers or slow-moving meandering sections, usually with plenty of green aquatic plants, green banks bordering green grassy areas. The most important features of their habitat are old and new branches dipping into or crossing the river water, slowing it down and providing warm sunlit surfaces to perch on - large old fallen branches are perfect for both damselflies and dragonflies, with hedges providing the ' hanging ' dragonflies with lookout locations. There are many suitable places  for river dwellers and fewer locations for pond dwellers unless the drainage basins retain water during the summer.

A perfect example of Dragonfly and Damselfly river habitat with sunlit perches - the fallen branches connecting the steep bank with the river. When the sun is at its highest the area can be quite crowded with active Odonata whilst the grassland and wild flowers at the top of the banks supports many butterflies in the height of summer flying together with exploring Odonata.

Other Odonata prefer ponds but as this area has no natural marshland and bog the ponds are restricted to 'created' ponds and drainage basins with planting to encourage wildlife.

It is here that we find the Skimmers - Dragonflies such as the Black-tailed Slimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) in habitat with broad-leafed plants and usually stoney paths nearby. On hot days leafy perches are preferred! This Black-tailed Skimmer can just be seen flying low over a broad leaf at the top left, it's shadow more visible on the leaf below, wings outspread. 

In semi-shade this pond does not usually dry out and harbours frogs which translocate to many other areas nearby via vegetation and long grasses, escaping the attention of Grey Herons which also frequent the area. This Dragonfly also frequents the area of the river (see above) , coming back again and again to the same perch whilst hunting. The presence of butterflies can attract it to marginal grasses where it will catch and eat them. They will eat many types of insect, even Damselflies.

Often overlooked, unlike butterflies, Odonata are very fragile and their presence is completely missed in even slightly cloudy weather which leads to their habitat being lost to river and pond clearance work, summer mowing of wild grasses and plants, draining damp areas and allowing drainage basins to dry out.

The habitat that supports them is also vital for the survival of many other species. Complete colonies of these Odonata species can be destroyed in a few minutes, not just for that year but permanently. They will survive normal flooding after torrential rainfall but not the work of a machine such as a digger.

The river supplies its own diversity with meanders, shallows, slow flows, fast areas, clear water and muddy water, a variety of aquatic plants, a stoney bed and a soft muddy bed, steep banks and grassy banks, marginal trees old and young, sun and shade.