Wild West Yorkshire nature diary
house martinsfrog

Damselflies

Wednesday 31st May 2000
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common blue damselfly
IN AFTERNOON SUN, five blue damselflies, males, rest on the leaves of the Kilmarnock willow by the pond. I think these are Common Blue Damselflies, Enallagma cyathigerum. A sixth male flies in tandem with the duller olive female. He clasps her behind the head with the end of his abdomen as they move about.

damselflies in tandemlaying

They land on the floating leaves of waterplants then she arches her abdomen to lay her eggs individually on the plants, just below the surface. They lift off and land just a few inches away to continue laying.

swallow swallow One Swallow rests on the ridge tiles of our roof while a second circles, passing close to the eaves. It's good to see a swallow hawking for insects alongside our resident House Martins. I'd be delighted if they were to nest.

Richard Bell
Richard Bell,
wildlife illustrator
E-mail; 'richard@daelnet.co.uk'

  
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