Dragonflies and Orchids 26/6/10

At an undisclosed site a Lesser Butterfly Orchid and 2 Heath Spotted Orchids were a good start to the day. The only other sighting of interest was a Four Spotted Chaser.

Lesser Butterfly and Heath Spotted Orchid at undisclosed location.

At another undisclosed site(not Beachy Head) a superb Lizard Orchid in full flower.

Lizard Orchid at undisclosed location.

Visited Ashdown Forest after these two sites to try for the Keeled Skimmers, but unfortunately no sign of these, however a Golden Ringed Dragonfly, Downy Emerald, Four Spotted Chaser and 7 Emperor Dragonflies were seen, including one oval depositing.

Others bits of note were 20 Heath Spotted Orchids, 2 Redstarts and a Tree Pipit.

Heath Spotted Orchids, Four Spotted Chaser and female Emperor Dragonfly at Ashdown Forest.

Another site on Ashdown Forest produced lots of Black-tailed Skimmers, Broad Bodied Chasers, a Silver Studded Blue, 2 Dark Green Fritillaries, 4 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Grass Snakes.

Black-tailed Skimmer at Ashdown Forest.

On the way back home i decided to stop just south of Arlington in the hope of seeing a White-legged Damselfly. I did manage to find one male clinging on to a nettle, but that was it. Also 4 Scarce Chasers were patrolling the river.

White-legged Damselfly just south of Arlington.