Dragonflies

Damselflies

Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) - scarce/overlooked, noted on the Common in 2011 and at Stubbs Green in 2014 and 2015.

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Lestes viridis) - a rapidly expanding species in the UK, mostly from 2009 onwards. First noted in Shotesham in 2012, and then annually from 2017 on. Nowhere abundant but can be encountered anywhere, including gardens and field margins. Look for it August and September in particular.

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) - regular and obvious along the Common and down along the Tas between May and July.

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) - common, May to August

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) - occurs widely but appears to be less numerous than Azure Damselfly. Larvae have been identified from the stream on the Common.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum) - a fairly recent colonist to the UK, noted at Stubbs Green in 2010, 2014 and 2019, and in my garden (briefly) in 2020.

Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) - widespread

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) - widespread, generally the first damselfly of the year, earliest local date 24th April 2020

Dragonflies

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) - a common and often impressively large dragonfly, flying from late June into September

Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) - common large dragonfly, fairly unmistakeable but check any early records (before the end of June) for Norfolk Hawker.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - common, sometimes abundant dragonfly, moderately large with blue spots. Numbers peak late summer and early autumn.

Norfolk Hawker (Anaciaeshna isoceles) - traditionally a great speciality of the Norfolk Broads, this species is expanding its range now. First noted along the edge of the Little Wood in 2016, and recorded annually thereafter including on the Common in 2020. Not yet proved to be breeding in the village, but seems feasible. Search for it along sheltered edges of woods and hedges in May and June, before the similar Brown Hawker is on the wing.

Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) - the largest dragonfly in the village, regular around the ponds at Stubbs Green, Three Ponds Wood and by the Globe, and sometimes wandering more widely. Adults fly between June and August.

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) - noted around the pool by the Tas in Shotesham Park Estate in 2015 and Three Ponds Wood in 2016, both of these sightings in May. This species is increasing and any early season large blue-spotted dragonflies are likely to be this.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) - widespread around the village in small numbers, flying between May and July.

Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) - not noted personally but photographed at Stubbs Green by Mike Fenn in {year?} Increasing in its core sites along the Yare valley and likely to occur increasingly in Shotesham in future.

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) - widespread around any wet areas, flies from May to July.

Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) - widespread, sometimes seen in the middle of fields well away from water, particularly visible in June.

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) - noted July to September mostly from the Common, Stubbs Green, Three Ponds Wood.

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) - can be seen anywhere around the parish, the abundant medium sized reddish dragonfly of late summer up to the first frosts of winter.

Also look for...

[Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) - a Broadland species, could easily be overlooked amongst Azure Damselflies. Maybe most likely on the lower end of the Common.]

[Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas) - widespread in Norfolk on larger lakes but not yet seen in the village - might it be at Shotesham House?]