Numbers remained depressed in early June, though 2 Black-tailed Skimmers were seen over Restharrow Scrape on the 8th and 11 Scarce Chasers were sheltering from the wind near the Delf Stream on the 10th (photo, on left, by Steve Ray). After two Banded Demoiselles were found on the North Stream on the 13th there was the unusual sight of two on the Estate on the 14th, well away from their usual haunts in the area, and on the 16th a female Red-veined Darter was found in the gullies, quite possibly an immigrant, borne along on the strong NE wind.

The long-awaited arrival of warm weather brought an equally long-awaited increase in activity and on the 22nd a walk across Worth marshes turned up 19 Scarce Chasers - clearly the progeny of the outstanding numbers of two years ago - 3 Red-eyed Damselflies, Banded Demoiselles in several new places along the North Stream, 2 Hairy Dragonflies and a Four-spotted Chaser, while 2 Red-veined Darters and 15 Black-tailed Skimmers were hawking over Restharrow Scrape. By the 27th, after a week of hot weather, numbers were truly impressive, particularly along the Pinnock Wall, where flooding of part of the Lydden Valley reserve had created some superb habitat. Most notable were 58 Scarce Chasers - a record count for the area - which were almost constantly in view along the North and Delf Streams, where 8 Hairy Dragonflies were also present. On the flooded field between the Delf Stream and the railway line at least 40 dragonflies were hawking insects among the rushes, including at least 2 Red-veined Darters, 5-6 Emperors and 4-5 Four-spotted Chasers. Completion of the 'Worth circuit' the following day added another 10 Scarce Chasers, a notable 19 Four-spotted Chasers, several of which were ovipositing, and a couple of egg-laying Hairy Dragonflies. More Four-spotted Chasers were evident along the Pinnock Wall later in the morning and on the 29th at least 6 were on Restharrow Scrape, where it has not previously been recorded, along with at least 30 Red-veined Darters and 30 Black-tailed Skimmers. Needless to say, totals of about 50 Four-spotted Chasers and nearly 80 Scarce Chasers are unprecedented for the area.