I was witness to a most amazing, real life, drama over the weekend. Continuing with my quest, on behalf of the British Dragonfly Society, to survey a square kilometre of the Thames from Swinford Lock, past the old canal and on up to the entrance to the River Evenlode, for the emergence of the rare Club-tail dragonfly. It is listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the British Red List. Past experience over the last couple of weeks suggests that they like the cover of the wooded section of the path, and where the water current slows in the meanders.
The vegetation has really shot up after this week’s rain, and the better temperatures. So I concentrate my searches in this area, negotiating narrow gaps down to the river’s edge. Once in place I start looking for the larva. The hope is to find one that has not emerged yet but I am happy to find empty exuvia too as this suggests activity for the survey.
