Last weekend we visited the nearby pond at Brinkies Guest House where the owner kindly allows us to monitor damselfly numbers through the flight season. A few days earlier there had been some torrential rain and so, sadly, we found several damselflies which had obviously been emerging at that time. During emergence their bodies are soft, only hardening up later in the process, so any strong wind or heavy rain can cause mayhem as the fragile creatures are thrashed around against vegetation. Although they were still alive, their abdomens were bent in zigzag shapes and their wings were often crumpled. Some were unable to fly, but even those who were able would be unlikely to be capable of mating. Thankfully, we also found plenty of other damselflies, either emerging in calmer conditions, foraging for food or looking for love.
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| A mature male Large Red Damselfly |
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| An immature female Large Red Damselfly |
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| A female Blue-tailed Damselfly |
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| A pair of Blue-tailed Damselflies mating |
Back at home, the wildflowers in the garden are beginning to put on a show, Buttercups and Daisies providing a backdrop to vivid Northern Marsh Orchids and Red Campion. The Fox and Cubs is beginning to bloom, along with the Cat's-ear and Red Clover.
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| A Painted Lady butterfly, annoyingly sat on the only bit of Lady's Mantle I missed during a weeding session 🙄 |
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| A Common Carder bee nectaring on Greater Knapweed |
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| One of many Northern Marsh Orchids |
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| One recent evening, a rainbow heralding gold 🌈 |
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| And the next day, our very first damselfly to be seen at Burnbank 😍 |
I suspect that the westerly wind brought this damselfly over the brae from Brinkies pond. Here's hoping that a few more follow it!
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