Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust (SBBOT)

Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi

These spectacular spiders are only found in a few locations on the south coast of England. The females (pictured) can grow to 15mm in length, but the males are usually only 4mm long. They inhabit bushes and tall grass where they spin an orb web which is decorated with a zigzag band of silk.

Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens

Regular in small numbers, especially on North Stream.

Large Red Damselfly - Pyrrhosoma nymphula

(Photograph on left)

Regular

Azure Damselfly - Coegnarion puella

Common

Variable Damselfly - Coenagrion pulchellum

Common Blue Damselfly - Enallagma cyathigerum

Very Common

This is a common and widespread county species, second only to the Blue-tailed Damselfly in abundance and distribution. Numbers can sometimes be spectacular, appearing almost as swarms over the water surface and often well out into the middle of largish lakes.

Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans

Very common

Being able to withstand partially polluted water, this is one of the commonest damselflies in the UK. Sedgy ditches, canals and slow moving streams are inhabited where they fly from the end of May to September. The pair pictured are in a copulation wheel.  The female is at the bottom.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma viridulum

This delightful damselfly is a very recent resident of England, only being discovered in Essex in 1999.  It has since spread and the first for the Bay was recorded in 2004. Their weak flight can be observed on eutrophic waters, lakes and gravel pits with floating vegetation.

Hairy Dragonfly - Brachyton pratense

Migrant Hawker - Aeshna mixta

Southern Hawker - Aeshna cyanea

Brown Hawker - Aeshna grandis

Emperor Dragonfly - Anax imperator

Southern Emerald - Lestes barbarus

(Photograph on left)

First recorded 2003, bred at the 100 acre field 2004 - very rare in UK, thought to be colonising due to global warming.

Four-spotted Chaser - Libellula quadrimaculata

Scarce, not recorded every year.

Scarce Chaser - Libellula fulva

Rare, not seen for several years.

Broad-bodied Chaser - Libellula depressa

(Photograph on right)

Fairly regular

Black-tailed Skimmer - Orthetrum cancellatum

Fairly regular.

Ruddy Darter - Sympetrum sanguineum

(Photograph on right)