Damsels and Darters at Cranford Park wildlife pond

It was a good weather day yesterday to complete my regular UKBMS transect at Cranford Park. The 90 minute route saw only four species of butterfly but at this time of year that it generally to be expected. The season is winding down. 

Species seen were Large White, Small White, Small Copper and Speckled Wood … 

Small Copper underwing

Small Copper 

Speckled Wood

The Speckled Wood is one of my favourite butterflies as they show true character. They defend their chosen territory with true passion in early spring, often seeing off bumble bees and wasps as well as any other butterfly that dare go near it's chosen woodland glade patch. The Speckled Woods we are seeing at the moment are the offspring of the ones seen in April and May, and for some reason these second generation butterflies tend to be darker than their parents. 

I spotted two of the young Kestrels by the River Crane. As they are getting older they are becoming more wary of us humans, and as soon as this one realised I had my camera focused on it, it took off... 

After the transect I spent quite a bit of time at the Wildlife Pond in front of the Information Centre. The pond is three years old this month and is absolutely teeming with wildlife. 

The honeybees from several wild hives visit the pond to drink, and I watched quite a few gathering on the log in the middle of the pond to absorb the water from the bark …. 

with others taking advantage of the oxygenating plants and fallen leaves to balance and drink without falling in … 

It is the visiting Odonata that really interest me. Odonata are the order of insects that cover dragonflies and damselflies. All Odonata have two pairs of densely veined wings and long segmented bodies, which can often be brightly coloured. They vary in size from the large 8cm long dragonflies down to the tiny 3-4cm long damselflies. The family also cover Demoiselles, Chasers, Skimmers, Hawkers and Darters. I've recorded several varieties and species at the Cranford Park Wildlife Pond and I was really chuffed to add a new one to my list yesterday. More about that little beauty later, but I have to introduce one of the most frequently seen first …. 

The very attractive and charismatic Common Darter …. The males are red and the females are yellowy in colour, but be warned that juvenile males are also very pale until they mature. 

They have very dark red 'spots' at the top tip of each wing …. 

My very pleasant surprise was spotting a beautifully intricately coloured Willow Emerald Damselfly. In 2009 they were only recorded in Suffolk and Norfolk, so I was quite excited to see this small slender critter. By sitting very still on a nearby tree stump I was able to confirm at least three Willow Emeralds around the pond vegetation, often just perching on a leaf or twig …. 

The pale yellow wing spots distinguishes this from other damselflies …. 

A very pretty damselfly that blends so well into it's surroundings that it can be right under your nose before you spot it. 

The pond is attracting more than just dragonflies, damselflies and darters. The Robin and Blue Tit below both came down for a drink at the pond edge whilst I was perched on my woody seat, and I've often seen a Mistle Thrush come down for a bath. The surrounding thistles and wildflower seed heads are attracting the local Goldfinches, and I once found a male Mallard sitting on the submerged log. 

Sadly my observations were disturbed twice by dogs jumping in the pond. The pond is man-made with a liner (I know because I helped create it back in September 2017) and therefore susceptible to sharp objects like dog claws. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs and know most of the dog walkers that frequent the park, but there is the river for dogs to play in so please don't let yours play in the pond. 

As always a very enjoyable visit to the park. As it was also the first day of the Open House Weekend I got to see Bob, Lynne and Ron as well, and later had a good catch up with Max and Martyn. Photos of the Open House Weekend, including the Secret Garden can be seen on the Cranford Park Friends facebook page where there is also a virtual tour link.