Dragonflies and Damselflies of Longham Lakes

In response to a number of enquiries, the following is a summary of all the records of Odonata at Longham Lakes that I know about. There are doubtless many more. However, at least this summary shows how good the site has become since it became a reservoir in 2003.

The overall status descriptions and flight periods come from “Britain’s Dragonflies” in the WildGuides series, by Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash. The status for each species at Longham is adapted from the ecological report by Steve Morrison (2016). With thanks to George Green for reports 2015-2017.

1. BANDED DEMOISELLE Calopteryx splendens

Generally common along slow-flowing rivers in England. Main flight period May-August.

At Longham, common along the river margins, where it breeds, and frequently encountered at the nearby reservoir margins.

First recorded summer 2008 during survey work (Steve Morrison.)
2015: Small numbers present on 17th, 25th & 29th June (George Green.)
2016: 11^th June; 26^th June. Present 28th May-9th July (George Green.)
2017: 6^th July; 9^th July. Present from 1st June to 15th July (George Green.)
2018: 14^th May; 27^th May; 8^th August.

2. AZURE DAMSELFLY Coenagrion puella

Very common in a wide range of standing waters. Main flight period May-September.

At Longham, common along the river and reservoir margins, also common in both small ponds at southern end. Breeds.

2016: Present on 9th June.
2017: 9^th July. Present from 28th May to 10th July (George Green.)
2018: 14^th May.

3. COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagma cyathigerum

An abundant damselfly found almost everywhere. Main flight period May-September.

At Longham, common along the river and reservoir margins, also common in both small ponds at southern end. Breeds.

First recorded summer 2008 during survey work (Steve Morrison.)
2014: 3 on 3^rd October.
2015: Present 13th June-26th August (George Green.)
2016: Present 5th June-24th September (George Green.)
2017: 21^st June; 6^th July; 9^th July. Present from 28th May to 15th September (George Green.)
2018: 4^th May; 14^th May; 6^th August; 8^th August.

4. RED-EYED DAMSELFLY Erythromma najas

Fairly common on lakes, gravel pits, canals and slow-flowing rivers. Main flight period May-September.

Although overlooked until 2012, this species in common at Longham along the sides of both reservoirs, and also on the two south-western ponds.

2012: 9^th and 12^th August.
2015: 4 on 18^th July. Small numbers present 15th July-2nd August (George Green.)
2016: Present 5th June-6th August (George Green.)
2017: 21^st June; 6^th July; 9^th July. Present from 28th May to 4th July (George Green.)
2018: 14^th May; 10+ on 15^th May; 2 on 13^th June; 14^th July.

5. SMALL RED-EYED DAMSELFLY Erythromma viridulum

Uncommon recent colonist, first recorded in Britain in 1999. On ponds, lakes and ditches with floating vegetation. Main flight period June-September.

First recorded at Longham on 9^th August 2012 (George Green). Now well established, commonest on the small ponds south of the main reservoir, but also present on the larger reservoirs.

2012: 9^th August.
2014: 8^th August.
2015: 12^th July; 16+ individuals, including 5 pairs egg-laying or mating (Olly Frampton). Small numbers present 9th-31st July (George Green.)
2016: 6^th July; 16^th July. Present 6th July-26th August (George Green.)
2017: 30^th June; 4^th July; 6^th July; 8^th July; 9^th July; 11^th August. Present from 30th June to 15th August (George Green.)
2018: 24^th June; 3^rd July; 6^th July.

6. BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLY Ishnura elegans

Widespread and common in many habitats. Main flight period April-September.

At Longham, common along river and reservoir margins and in both small ponds on the south-west. Breeds.

First recorded summer 2008 during survey work (Steve Morrison.)
2015: Present on 25th June.
2016: Present on 26th June.
2017: 21^st July; 6^th July; 9^th July. Present from 28th May to 13th August (George Green.)
2018: 6^th August.

7. LARGE RED DAMSELFLY Pyrrhosoma nymphula

Common and very widespread in various wetlands, small to large. Main flight period April-August.

At Longham, common along the river and reservoir margins. Breeds.

2018: 4^th May; 10^th May; 14^th May.

8. WHITE-LEGGED DAMSELFLY Platycnemis pennipes

A locally common damselfly of slow-flowing muddy rivers. Main flight period June-July.

At Longham, common along the river margins and around inland scrub. Breeds. Sometimes wanders to the margins of the reservoirs.

First recorded summer 2008 during survey work (Steve Morrison.)
2016: 16^th July.
2017: One on 23rd June; 2 on 8^th July; 9^th July.
2018: 6^th June (1); 13^th June (1); 18^th June; 22^nd June; 24^th June (1); 3^rd July (1).

9. SOUTHERN HAWKER Aeshna cyanea

Very common in the south of Britain around well-vegetated standing waters. Main flight period June-October.

Fairly common around the reservoirs and ponds, ranging widely. Possibly breeds.

2012: 27^th September (1).
2013: 14^th August (2).
2016: At least 1 on 26th August.
2018: 4^th August (1); 6^th August (1); 8^th August; 14^th August.

10. BROWN HAWKER Aeshna grandis

Common in a variety of slow-flowing or standing waters, mainly in the south. Main flight period July-September.

Common around the whole site and probably breeds on the reservoirs.

2015: 18^th July (3). Present 31st July-27th August (George Green.)
2016: Present 6th August-12th September (George Green.)
2017: 30^th June; 6^th July; 9^th July. Present from 30th June to 9th September (George Green.).
2018: 22^nd June; 29^th June (1); 6^th August (20); 8^th August; 14^th August; 20^th August (1).

11. MIGRANT HAWKER Aeshna mixta

Common on well vegetated lakes and other wetlands. Continental migrants may boost the population in late summer. Main flight period August-October.

At Longham, frequently seen around the site, with males often patrolling discrete areas. Possibly breeds.

2012: Lots on 27^th September.
2013: Lots on 22^nd September.
2015: Present on 26th August and 2 late individuals on 4th November, including one eating a bumblebee! (George Green.)
2016: Present 15th August-30th September (George Green.)
2017: Present from 28th August to 26th October (George Green.)
2018: 14^th August; 20^th August (1).

12. EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax imperator

Common in many types of well-vegetated wetlands with still or slow-flowing water. Main flight period May-August.

Common around the reservoir margins and the southern ponds. Breeds.

First recorded summer 2008 during survey work (Steve Morrison.)
2012: 12^th August.
2014: 16^th August (1), 3^rd October (2)
2015: Present 17th June-31st July (George Green.)
2016: Present 21st June-26th August (George Green.)
2017: 20^th June; 6^th July; 9^th July; 14^th August (1). Present from 15th June to 17th August (George Green.)
2018: 21^st May (1); 23^rd May; 25^th May; 27^th May (1+); 6^th June (several); 18^th June (5); 24^th June; 9^th July; 6^th August; 14^th August.

13. LESSER EMPEROR Anax parthenope

A rarity to the UK, but something of a Longham special. Annual; first recorded in Britain in 1996. Main flight period July-September, on ponds and lakes.

First recorded at Longham in August 2012.

2012: 9-12^th August (George Green.)
2017: A male on 20th June, 2 males on 21st June; 1+ males on 6th July; 3 on 8^th July; 1+ on 9^th July; 1 on 12^th July; 1+ on 17^th July.
2018:   15^th June (1); 24^th June (1); 25^th June; 29^th June; 30^th June; 3^rd July; 6^th July (1); 9^th July; 19^th July (pair copulating); 21^st July (1).

14. HAIRY DRAGONFLY Brachytron pratense

Generally uncommon in Britain, although extending its range. Requires rank vegetation close to slow-moving water. Main flight period May-July.

At Longham, probably overlooked previously, and first recorded on 14th May 2018 by Matthew Bell.

2018: 14^th May (1); 15^th May (6+, pair copulating) (Olly Frampton); 18^th May (2+); 20^th May (1); 21^st May (6 males, 3 females); 22^nd May (2); 23^rd May (5); 25^th May (1 male); 6^th June (1).

15. GOLDEN-RINGED DRAGONFLY Cordulegaster boltonii

Common, but breeds on acid rivers and streams, wandering to heathland. Main flight period May-September.

Uncommon visitor to the site. Records include the following:

2015: Singles on 29th June & 15th July (George Green.)
2016: 16^th July (1).
2017: 21^st June; 9^th July; 10^th August; 11^th August.
2018: 13^th June (1); 22^nd June; 29^th June (1); 3^rd July (1).

16. DOWNY EMERALD Cordulia aenea

Uncommon and scattered. Generally found in ponds close to deciduous woodland, with bankside trees and sparse stands of emergent vegetation. Main flight period May-July.

A male on the south-west pools on 14^th May 2018 (Matthew Bell) and seen for the next few days was hardly expected, although there were other records of wanderers elsewhere at the same time.

2018: 14^th May (1); 21^st May (1); 22^nd May (1).

17. BROAD-BODIED CHASER Libellula depressa

Mainly found on smaller ponds, ditches and small lakes with standing water. Main flight period May-July.

Fairly common around the reservoir margins and south‐west ponds. Breeds.

2017: 2 on 14^th August.
2018: 27^th May (1); 6^th June (1); 18^th June (3).

18. SCARCE CHASER Libellula fulva

Localised in southern Britain on neutral or base-rich slow-flowing rivers in flood-plains and water-meadows. Thrives where there is dense emergent and marginal vegetation. Main flight period May-June.

Frequently encountered along the river margins and also found sunning along the hedgerows in the west part of the site. Breeds in the river and may also do so in the reservoirs.

2008: First recorded during survey work in summer (Steve Morrison.)
2015: 23^rd May (1); 9^th July; 12^th July (1).
2016: 19^th May; at least 5+ on 9th June; 11^th June; 1 on 18th June; 16^th July.
2017: 20^th June; 21^st June; 30^th June; 9^th July. Present in small numbers from 20th May to 30th June (George Green.)
2018: 20^th May (1); 22^nd May (1); 23^rd May (3); 25^th May (3+); 6^th June (1); 18^th June (4+); 22^nd June; 24^th June (9+); 6^th July.

19. FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER Libellula quadrimaculata

Occurs in a wide range of standing waters although favours acidic pools best, Main flight period May-August.

Infrequently noted at the main ponds south‐west of Longham Reservoir South. Breeds.

2015: 29th June.
2018: 14^th May; 15^th May (2); 20^th May (4); 21^st May (4); 22^nd May; 25^th May (2+); 6^th June (2); 18^th June (2).

20. BLACK-TAILED SKIMMER Orthetrum cancellatum

Fairly common to abundant in lowland ponds, lakes and gravel pits. Main flight period June-July.

Now abundantly seen around the reservoirs and main pond south‐west of Longham Reservoir South. Often noted sunning on bare ground.

2014: 20^th June (2)
2015: 14^th July; 18^th July. Present 13th June-2nd August (George Green.)
2016: Present 5th June-26th August (George Green.)
2017: 21^st June; 1^st July; 6^th July; 9^th July. Present 1st June to 17th August (George Green.)
2018: 23^rd May; 24^th June; 6^th August; 8^th August.

21. KEELED SKIMMER Orthetrum coerulescens

Scarce over acidic wet heathland sites, but sometimes found in less acidic conditions. Main flight period June-August.

Likely to be only a casual visitor to the site.

2008: Infrequently seen around the main pond south‐west of Longham Reservoir South (Steve Morrison.)

22. SCARLET DARTER Crocothemis erythraea

A very rare migrant since the first in Britain in 1995, with records nationally falling between mid-June to early September. Found on shallow, still waters.

2017: One turned up at Longham Lakes on 8^th and 9^th July (Martin Wood.)  It was only the 8^th for Britain and the first for 13 years.

23. RED-VEINED DARTER Sympetrum fonscolombii

An irregular but annual migrant, particularly to southern England. Found in warm, still waters, often shallow. Main flight period July-August.

2009: Seen in May in the Gravel Pit during survey work (Steve Morrison.)
2017: 3, including a copulating pair on 19^th June (George Green); 2 on 20^th June; many on 21^st June; 1 on 30th June; 1 on 4th July; 1+ on 6^th July; 9^th July; 2 on 12^th July; 1+ on 13th July.

24. COMMON DARTER Sympetrum striolatum

A common and widespread late summer species, occurring in many different habitats. Main flight period July-October.

Common around the lake and pond margins where it breeds. Frequently seen sunning on bare ground.

2013: 10^th November (1).
2015: Present 31st July-26th August (George Green.)
2016: Present 3rd-11th August (George Green.)
2017: 9^th July. Also present from 4th August to 20th October (George Green.)
2018: 21^st July; 8^th August.