After the disappointing day yesterday, I decided in taking solace in another day at at Old Moor, sun was out, so I was hoping the Dragons were out too.
I seem now to have a routine when I go visit Old Moor, starting at the Visitor Centre pool, where there was little happening today, only seeing Azure, and Blue tailed Damselflies no Emerald’s today. On then to the stepping stones area, where there was a few Common Darters‘ and Ruddy Darters’ about. Over the bridge and on to the next pond, here there were Brown Hawker, teasing by not landing, also a Common Blue Damselfly.
Today was only going to be a quick visit, so I went straight onto the Toyota Pond, here I found Azure Damselflies, Blue tailed Damselflies, Red eyed Damselflies and finally the Small Red eyed Damselfly. Out of the corner of my eye, a dark object got my attention, coming in from the right side, flying low over the pond. I tracked it has it came in, turned out to be a male Banded Demoiselle, a nice moment and my first male at Old Moor.
On then to the Green Lane loop, where there were the usual Dragonflies, Emperor, Four spotted Chaser, and Black tailed Skimmers, alas no Southern Hawkers, I also found a Horsefly down here, bit of a beasty. Whilst down here I called in at the Wath Ings hide, hoping for waders, the Spoonbills were still here, nine in total for me today, also found a single Dunlin, still in summer plumage, then a couple of surprises, down at the far end, a single Barn Owl and a single young Marsh Harrier.
On my way out of the reserve, I made a final stop at the Visitor Centre pond picking up a male Emerald Damselfly in doing so, with also some Leaf Beetles Donacia versicolorea
Dragonflies : Azure Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Black tailed Skimmer, Brown Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly, Common Darter, Emerald Damselfly, Emperor, Red eyed Damselfly, Ruddy Darter, Small Red eyed Damselfly (12)
Horsefly
Leaf Beetle [Donacia versicolorea]
Common Darters
Spoonbill
Huddsbirder 