Thanks to volunteer Phil for his report and photos
Friday 4 November was a beautifully clear and sunny day. The previous day’s heavy rain had cleared the atmosphere and the South Downs were etched sharply against the sky. However, for the first time in several months, there was a chill in the air and a breeze was blowing from the North West.
There were several signs of winter. The numbers of wildfowl and lapwings were building and the male ducks were looking very smart in their newly renewed plumage illuminated by bright sunshine, especially the shovelers and pintails. About 30-40 black-tailed godwits put on a flying display, disturbed by the peregrine which was using the usual willow tree as a perch, and a very pale headed buzzard tried to confuse us all by pretending to be an osprey. A lesser spotted woodpecker allegedly put in an appearance near the Zigzag Path, but as usual stayed away from me.
On days like this it is important to find a sheltered sunny spot for lunch. Winpenny Hide can be good when the wind is from a northerly direction as it faces south but I was there just a little too early in the day. However I did notice a dragonfly whizzing over the surface of the water in the bright sunshine. A more careful look then revealed that this was not one but two dragonflies coupled in a mating wheel position. They were too far away for a positive identification but I was fairly sure they would be common darters. Seeing this gave me an idea for lunch…
Just behind the Hanger on the other side of the main path is a very short path leading up a slope to an open area with an excellent view over the South Brooks to the South Downs. And here is a perfect seat for lunch on a chilly but sunny day as the hedge behind the seat gives excellent shelter from the northerly winds and allows the sun to warm you up. I call it the “sun deck”.
I was not the only creature looking for warmth here. Take a look at the woodwork - seat, fenceposts and fence rails - on such a day and you are likely to see, as I did, several small red common darter dragonflies basking in the sunshine.
This one was perched on the back of my seat and was literally only an arm’s length away as I ate my lunch, except when it darted into action seeking to catch its own lunch or in one case have a territorial dispute with another male.
I couldn’t be sure whether it had caught some microscopic flying insects. Certainly it appeared to be moving its mouthparts at times as if eating but there was nothing else visible.
Soon another common darter perched on a nearby post allowing a more unusual side view.
Seeing dragonflies at such close quarters is very good for admiring their markings and I reflected that insects do not seem to have the same fear of humans as most other wildlife does.
With lunch finished I tried some experimental shots to see whether I could capture the moment when the darter takes off. Here are the results. Interesting photos but I think I may need a little more practice!
Note that the action in these 3 shots is taking place over less than 0.1 seconds emphasising how quickly this dragonfly goes from 0-60 to use a car analogy - very impressive. Also note that in shot 2 the darter has swivelled its head round as if it had spotted something to chase and on shot 3 where it is airborne the head is held in the same position.
My dragonfly book confirms that common darters can be seen all the way through into December although checking my photos the latest running one I’ve captured is on 13 November. This is not the only species that flies well into autumn; southern hawkers and migrant hawkers can also fly into November. My latest photographic records are 17 and 15 October respectively.
Adding to the autumnal mix is the willow emerald damselfly - a recent arrival on the reserve. My colleague Stephen told me he had seen willow emeralds at the Black Pond in late October.
Following the clock change, sunset season is here, and I spent 15 minutes in late afternoon at West Mead watching the sun go down and the evening sky develop.
To counterpoint this on the way back to the Visitor Centre a rising moon was showing just above the trees providing a perfect end to a perfect day.