The dragonfly emergence is underway down at the older pond. Two species of dragonfly are emerging, Broad Bodied Chasers and the largest British dragonfly, the Emperor. Both species are known as early colonisers of new ponds since, even though this is the older pond, it is still only two years old.

Here is the pond itself at the moment:

Not much open water – probably too vegetated and thats something we will have to tackle in the Autumn. There are some lovely stands of Yellow Flag Irises which are much loved by Bumble Bees.

Also the reeds at one end are the territory of three Small Blue Butterflies who are sunbathing there all the time. These are very rare, red listed butterflies and so it is lovely seeing them here:

This pond has been the focus of much of our attention over the last few days as we have been watching for dragonfly emergences. Yesterday I saw a spider – obviously a water spider because it was very at home in the habitat. It didn’t look like it was a land spider that had fallen in by mistake and was desperately drowning. I didn’t even know there were such things as water spiders but I have pre- ordered a book of British Spiders and, when it gets published this month, I will be able to look this boy up and tell you more about it. I don’t like spiders.