At just 13 years of age, Oscar Lawrence approached us at Strumpshaw to see if there were any volunteer opportunities. A keen writer, with aspirations to become a wildlife journalist we were pleased to welcome him to the communications team.
Before you read his very first piece written for our community blog post, I asked Oscar to share a little bit of background, so here goes.....
My name is Oscar Lawrence, and I'd like to think of myself as an experienced Norfolk birdwatcher and writer. Although, I still try to learn a little bit more about the UK's wildlife every day, so I admittedly don't yet know everything.
But that's the aim - and considering how much I enjoy learning about our flora and fauna - I try to teach as many people what I know already. So from teeny insects to colossal birds of prey, I'll try to be nature's voice in the blogs I write. If any part of my blogs sparks a love for nature in you, then my work here is done. Now I will give you a bit of info about how I got into this fantastical hobby.
In the countrywide lockdowns of 2020 -2021, there were some very boring times, but everyone was allowed 30 minutes out of the house for exercise or shopping. I hate shopping. I REALLY hate shopping. So for exercise each day I went on a walk around my Norfolk village of Forncett End to spot as much wildlife as possible. I didn't know much, but one trip to Sainsbury's, one parcel and many hours of reading later, I had a firm grasp of birds. Little did I know that was just the start!
After two years, I was set to do a school community service project, and I thought it would be nice to write in my village mag, The Forncett Flyer. A column opened up, and soon I had something to keep me busy for a couple of hours! Now writing has become just a big part of my life as birding, and I still write monthly articles for that magazine and other organisations. So if you love wildlife, keep reading, and try to learn a little something about it each day. And if you don't love wildlife, I hope my articles inspire you too. You might find a spark of passion for it lights up inside.
And now for Oscar's very first Strumpshaw Fen Blog:
Lesser Emperor - climate colonist
The soft crunch of my walking boots setting down on the sandy track was not the only sound apparent. The entire dune system thrummed with the buzzing of bees and scraping cries of crows as I journeyed through the rugged landscape of Winterton NNR.
To stop, look, listen and to really immerse yourself in the natural world is one of the great privileges of life, and with a scan of the undulating marram and silica it was clear nature was in abundance. Six-spot Burnet moths were prevalent, their whirring red wings and deep navy bodies a prominent feature of the dune. Also prominent were the very showy Small Heath butterflies; territorial males sparred in a very orange combat, vying for females and flowers upon which to feed. My eyes scanning the plethora of insects, I progressed into a more ‘scrubby’ habitat dominated by blackthorn. Entering this habitat, I cast my eyes into a shallow pit edged by bushes, and caught a blue flash, accompanied by a shape which was certainly that of a large dragonfly. I clambered down to get a closer look and was pleased by what I found!
A purplish thorax tapered into an azure abdomen, becoming dull towards its tip. At the other end was a pair of goggle-like, compound lime-green eyes. This scarcity was a species I had very rarely encountered in the past: a Lesser Emperor. I avidly leapt onto a high bund to enhance the view, and watched it patrol back and forth along the hedge-line in search of invertebrate prey.
Its movement was masterful in the air, expertly twitching each wing to make a slight adjustment to its direction. After a couple of minutes it reared up and twisted its body to grasp a passing fly, and I was amazed when the insect dropped down into the heather to munch on its hard-caught snack. I then drew my camera swiftly from my bag. I wanted to take a quick snap before this magnificent animal took flight again, but I needn't have worried. For the Lesser Emperor perched there tamely even as I edged in for a closer look. Still as I walked away over the dune it stayed. Completely unbothered. And I will not forget that encounter!
Female Lesser Emperor
The Lesser Emperor was first sighted in Britain in 1966, and has since occurred as a rare vagrant to our isles. It is typically spotted in the southeast of England on pools and marshes.
Occasionally in the past 50 years, the species has been seen egg-laying, but very rarely and only in exceptional years for this dragonfly due to abundance on the near continent. I am absolutely ecstatic to say that these insects are now not just breeding, but thriving in the Norfolk Broads!
For the past two years they have been a conspicuous and lovable part of our reed-bed fauna. They are widely distributed across the county now, mainly based around the River Yare.
One of the key sites is RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, where individuals have been sighted across the reserve. Some have even been seen right from Reception Hide, where they quarter the pools and dykes in search of flies. Whenever you visit, volunteers will be happy to help you locate this and other wildlife.
Recognising this new colonist is an easy feat; males are characterised by a bright blue "belt" on the dark body, which in reality is just the colour of the first two sections of the abdomen. But my naïve mind wants to think of it as a belt, so I won't argue!
Most females show a hint of this pattern so can also be recognised. There is, however, an altogether more distinctive for of the female which has an entirely blue-green abdomen, but this is less common than the typically duller form. Lesser Emperor is also a rather large dragonfly, coming in at a length of 71mm. This size can additionally help to tell it apart from the many other, smaller blue dragonflies.
So why has the Lesser Emperor so readily colonised the Norfolk Broads in the past 2 years? Well, as with many changes in our ecosystems at present, global warming must have a part to play. For a typically southern dragonfly to have staked out a stronghold here, hot weather must be a factor in its arrival. But it looks like this magnificent, powerful insect is here to stay, so let's not take it for granted! Get out into a local reedbed or marshland, and get searching for the beautiful Lesser Emperor.
If you are keen to learn more about the dragonfly and damselfly here at Strumpshaw Fen why not join us for the next Dragonfly Safari, Sunday 11 August, 11am-1pm. This is a ticketed event, follow the link to find out more and book your place: events.rspb.org.uk/events/65901