On the wing with dragonflies and damsels

Thanks to Ali Swainston and Steve Covey for identifying odonata species 

It is perhaps best that those who are really interested in fishing only in its strictest sense do not waste any time on this page. This article is destined to the curious, those to whom holding a fly rod is no more than an alibi to scout by the waterside. Those who seek close contact with an exhuberant habitat, whose wealth encompasses water, air, earth, fauna and flora. Each and everyone of the creatures playing a role in this biotope is source of amazement. Some species prove barely visible such as the elusive otter or the rare water vole, others display colourful behaviours for all to see such as hopping frogs and temperamental coots.

Dragonflies and damselflies exert a particular fascination due to their grace, their finesse and their unrivalled talent for acrobatic flight demonstrations. For a few years now, making headway on my fly fishing journey, I have been attempting to decipher some pieces of the mysterious puzzle of life to be found in wetland habitats. Simply because any knowledge gained is a precious tool to understand the biotopes populated by coarse fish and salmonids. This venture is unpretentious, no need to turn into an entomologist. The simple rewarding joy of observing and marvelling is sufficient in my eyes. Take it as far as you like! Most of you will only scratch the surface but it does not matter as long as you reach this goal: having fun by the water’s edge, learning and being stricken by the beauty of nature at each occasion. So how to start observing four-spotted chaser libellules, emperor dragonflies and other banded demoiselles?

The basics are quite simple. First, locate a piece of water sheltered from pollution whether a stretch of river, a lake or perhaps a modest pond. A pristine habitat maximises your chance to examine a broader spectrum of plants and animal species. Bring a digital camera with you in order to immortalise your findings and refer to them later. From that point on, all you need is patience, a little bit of stealth and some observation skills (basically open your eyes carefully). The majority of pictures illustrating this article were shot in macro mode with an ordinary compact digital camera. I admit that i never even read the instructions manual for my Canon Powershot A700. Best conditions are a warm sunny day with little wind.

Damsels hatch in vast numbers and invariably individuals can be observed by walking fields and woods surrounding the water’s edge. Careful examination of bankside vegetation reveals exuviae (empty nymph shucks left by the imago that has flown away). Even after is has become redundant because it is no longer inhabited, shucks still cling to reed stems and waterlogged tree trunks used by the nymph to emerge out of the water in its quest to turn into a winged insect. In a last extraordinary transformation, the nymphal skin of the mature nymph splits down the back of the thorax releasing the head, thorax and legs of the imago. The abdomen is then extricated. The nymph will use any material at her disposal to reach the surface. A man-made pontoon can do the job as demonstrated in the picture above. The secret of success in spotting dragonflies lies with keeping one’s eyes wide open looking for signs of presence. Nature leaves life signs everwhere for the keen eye to spot. It helps to know what to look for but as for everything else, it also comes with trial and error. As we anglers philosophically say, you will not cach any fish unless your fly is in the water ...

The bulk of pictures in this article was shot in southern England in early June at Lower Moor Farm, a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust natural reserve with the Cotswold Water Park.

Inventoring species is a classical way of protecting their future. Steve Covey’s admirable contribution to greater knowledge of odonata species in Wiltshire can be seen through Wiltshire Dragonflies.