Late Common Darter

After starting the year with the first sighting for 2013, it's just possible that I may be finishing the year off with this late Common Darter that was basking in the warmth of a south facing wall in my garden this afternoon.  Looking at the records in Mapmate for Glamorgan, as best as I can tell this is the third latest record for this species.  I appreciate there may be other records not on Mapmate though!

Vagrant emperor.

                           Photographed at Nantyffyllon yesterday by Craig Furlong.
                          
This is the 4th record for VC41, the others being in 2011 (April, May & Nov.).

Cosmeston Lakes Today

While at the lake waiting to see the male Bearded Tit on the boardwalk there were 3 male Common Darters making the most of the sunshine, after seeing and photographing the bird I walked around to the pool between the visitor centre and the village and found that they have altered that area possibly to the benefit of the dragonflies. There were about 20+ Common Darters flying and resting up four of which were in tandem and ovipositing.

Migrant Hawker at Margam

A Migrant Hawker was on the wing today, but not stopping near the rail crossing near to Margam Moors, this afternoon.

Dragonfly video

The BDS posted this beautiful video this morning, I thought I would share it too http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=BR6twTdsyNE&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBR6twTdsyNE%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&app=desktop