Emerging dragonflies

Yesterday, I undertook an exuviae collection at the dragonfly ponds. An exuvia is the empty case left behind when a dragonfly emerges. There was no sign of any activity at the north or central ponds, but the southern pond had about 15 blue tailed damselflies among the sedges, and two four spotted chasers emerging. More interesting was a single exuvia of a broad bodied chaser. This is essentially a southern species which has been moving north in recent times. Although adults have been seen regularly in the north east, most will be dispersing adults (the job of an adult dragonfly is to disperse and breed). So, I'm quite chuffed to find this proof of breeding.