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Nature Notes W


ith good weather, July


can be a real good time to see dragon- flies and damselflies and Devon, with in excess of over 30 species, is a great county to see them. Although Dartmoor and the East Devon pebblebed heaths are strongholds, they can be found anywhere where there is water, whether it be fast flowing streams, marshes or stagnant ponds as different species have different preferences. Generally, the damselflies are harder to identify than the dragon- flies although Beautiful Demoiselle is an exception to this rule. With their metallic blue green bodies, broad dark brown-black wings, iridescent wing veins and grace- ful butterfly flight the males are unmistakable. The metallic green females are less conspicuous against the riverside vegetation. These wonderful creatures, just 30-40mm long can easily be seen along rivers such as the Dart above Totnes. The larger dragonflies are split into Hawkers, Chasers, Darters,


Emperor Dragonfly © Hugh-Venables Creative Commons Licence Beautiful Demoiselle ©-Mick-Lobb Creative Commons Licence


Emeralds and a few species in individual classifications. Of the Hawkers, Emperor dragonfly is perhaps the easiest to identify and be seen as it is very common around ponds and lakes during July (but note it is absent from central Dartmoor). The male, with its green head and body but bright blue abdomen/tail, coupled with its size (up to 60mm) and fast agile flight is almost unmistakeable; the female is all green. It can only be confused with the superficial- ly similar Southern Hawker. The stunning black and yellow Golden ringed is probably the larg- est dragonfly in Britain reaching up to 64mm in length. Needing a habitat of acidic or moorland streams it is a speciality of west- ern regions being absent from South east England, the Mid- lands and east Anglia and only being found on the east side of Britain in the north. In Devon look for it close to rivers such as the upper reaches of the Teign where the river is unshaded or is adjacent to open woodland.


Golden Ringed dragonfly ©-Ian-Andrews


30 July, 5 & 6 August Squirrels, Torquay 2 – 5pm. Admission £4. Refreshments in aid of Save The Children. Plantsman’s small town environmental garden, landscaped with small ponds and 7ft waterfall. Tel: 01803 329241.


12 & 13 August Higher Ash Farm, Dartmouth Come and see this beautiful 2.5 acre garden which has been extensively developed in the last few years and help raise funds for charity. 2 – 5pm.


Lots to enjoy in the Great Outdoors in July


This year The National Gardens Scheme is celebrating 90 years of opening private gardens for charity in England & Wales. May & June are perfect months to catch the colour so we’ve cherry-picked a few of the local gardens from their list that you might like to see. www.ngs.org.uk


9 July & 3 September Riverford Field Kitchen Garden, Landscove


11am – 5.30pm. Admission £4. Come and be inspired by this impressive range of organic vegetables. Refreshments available. Tel: 01803 762000.


29 & 30 July Lower Spitchwick Garden, Poundsgate 1 – 5pm. Admission £4. Light refresh- ments available. Tel: 01364 631593. Artist/designer’s gallery garden


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