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Mhairi

Here's the first of our guest bloggers! Chris LLoyd-Rogers agreed to write a blog about the wonders of Hodbarrows ponds.

WILDLIFE AROUND THE PONDS

Next time you pass one of the many ponds on the reserve, stop for a few minutes and look carefully around you. It’s amazing what life in and out of the water you can see.

 
You might spot these common blue damselflies (Pic below) all over the grassy parts of the reserve and along the edges of paths as well as near water. The females are harder to find as they are a dull brown.

(Common Blue Damselfly)

Similar to the common blues are blue tailed damselflies with just the end tip of their bodies a bright blue.

(Blue Tailed Damselfly)

The large red damselflies (which actually are very small!) are nearly over for this year, but the occasional late one is still around.

The larger four-spotted chasers are plentiful on the reserve with at least a couple of residents on most ponds. Hopefully the wet weather will turn into sunshine and bring out a few more species for us to enjoy.

  (Four spotted Chaser)

A closer look at the vegetation will reveal other insects that like the plants that grow near water. See if you can find any of these:

Frogs and toads are just past the tadpole stage and are very small - mind you don’t step on them. There are plenty of creatures to find and I haven’t even mentioned the birds and the flowers!

Chris Lloyd-Rogers