My next spring target in my quest to see all the regular Hampshire Odonata and Butterflies were Downy Emerald and Scarce Chaser. Hatchet Pond is a reliable site for the former and so after a survey on 11th June, but in less then ideal conditions, I stopped in the NW corner of the pond and quickly located a couple of Downy Emerald, despite the suboptimal conditions they refused to stop and were continuously patrolling back and forth low over the water. An immature male Emperor Dragonfly and Common Blue Damselfly also braved the wind and cloud.
Downy Emerald
Emperor Dragonfly
On 12th June I visited Testwood Lakes, a site within 15 minutes of home but one that I had never visited before. Main target was Scarce Chaser, a species of sluggish and well vegetated streams and rivers, it took a little while before I located my first, an adult male, in this species the juveniles are actually more stunning showing a bright orange hue. I was happy with this stunning adult male though.
