I follow The Dragonfly Woman’s blog ( http://thedragonflywoman.com/). On the 2nd July she posted about a dragonfly pond watch in the USA: enthusiasts register a pond and keep watch for two dragonfly species and by visiting their pond regularly they collect data on the dragonflies. They hope to amass more information on the dragonflies by this citizen science project. As I am in France this leaves me out in the cold but then I thought I could do my own personal pond watch and learn about dragonflies. As my knowledge about dragonflies was zero there could only be an improvement on my personal information base.
There is a pond about 20 minutes brisk walk from the house, if you take the short-cut through the woods it takes a lot longer than that as there is usually so much to see and photo opportunities slow you down. The pond is on one of our more winter routes or rather autumn walks as there is a very abundant walnut tree close by. I had not given the pond more than an admiring look from the path so it seemed an idea choice for my project.
Our neighbour who is in her eighties has told us the pond used to be larger and she remembers being taken out on the pond in a small rowing boat when she was young.
I was sure if they got swarms of dragonflies in the States I should see one or two over the pond.
I chose a sunny afternoon for my first visit hoping the warmth would tempt them out into the open.
The lotus flowers were open. The lotus flowers are not native Charentais flowers but they have been in the pond for at least ten years, whether planted on purpose or arrived accidently, I do not know.
However, no dragonflies.
There were, however, two species of damsel flies.
In fact I think it is a Blue tailed damselfly (Ischnura elegans).
The leaf has got in the way here but the fine part in the middle of the tail can be seen better.
The second damselfly is brown and awaiting further research by me (or recognition by a reader?) before it finds a name.
I must admit I was somewhat disappointed. The damselflies were lovely but I did want a dragonfly.
Dragonfly woman said to check out the pond in different weather conditions and at different times of day. Equipped with an umbrella this time, but still no dragonflies.
Today I decided to take the short cut and go through the woods along the side of the little stream. It had rained overnight but it had been a beautiful day and it was still warm at 5 p.m.
At last I got my dragonfly! It is a Golden Ringed dragonfly ( Cordulegaster boltonii). Not at the pond, perhaps, but better here than never.
In addition, there were lovely Common Blue damsel flies along the edges of the little stream. Things were definitely looking up.
Success at last! When I arrived at the pond I could see that flying back and forth over the mass of lotus flowers were several very large green-blue dragonflies. They seemed to be patrolling back and forth over the lotus flowers. I willed them to take a break, put their feet down and chill out but they seemed on a dragonfly mission. I’ve got no photos as yet but at least I know my pond does have dragonflies, it would have been tough trying to do a solo dragonfly pond watch on a pond with no dragonflies. I feel I am off to a good start.
I do not intend to confine myself to dragonflies. I have heard a frog but not seen it and there is also a very shy waterfowl that hides among the lotus flowers.
However, just before I headed home, something walked out of the pond!
It appeared to be a crayfish. He had a walk around for a couple of minutes and then walked back in.
It seemed odd to come out for a walk on the edge of the pond but the other oddity is that it appears to be lacking a pair of front claws. Perhaps he had been in a fight.
Then almost back home, a Stag beetle was walking along the road in the opposite direction. Definitely a photo opportunity.
The stag beetle may not be as stunning photographically as dragonflies or damselflies but has a life history just as fascinating. Since I have started the blog and have been reading other people’s blog it has made me notice much more around me and fanned my curiosity for the natural world that surrounds me. The pond has added another dimension to our walks.
a french garden 