Common Clubtail

The postscript to my previous blog mused that maybe we should take a trip to Goring-on-Thames, mainly because the railway bridge to the south of the town is a hotspot for Common Clubtail dragonflies. So today we found ourselves parking in the town around 0930 and setting out on the walk along the river. Optimism wasn't high, and as we neared our target, it was plummeting, nothing was in the air and the expected temperatures hadn't materialised. At the bridge, a group of people were scanning the arches of the Brunel bridge, unfortunately its historic brickwork devoid of any exuviae, the tell tale remains of dragonfly emergence.

We had to give it a go, we had come all this way, so we hung around scouting the bushes hopefully. Finally another more experienced dragon hunter turned up and informed us that we had got it all wrong -" just look at those exuvia on the near bank concrete wall." I think he realised we were new to this particular species and was really patient with us. So we entertained ourselves by photographing the crusty remains and getting our eyes in by finding more. Just before 1300, with lunch long gone, we sat on a bench next to the river and took stock, we were just seconds from heading for home, but the sun came out and Banded Demoiselles rose from the adjacent meadow, butterflies were on the wing. Perhaps just one last look before we hit the road. Very glad we gave it one more chance as we found a recently emerged nymph in the grass at the very top of the bank - "got one" was the cry.

We set up camp next to the specimen, both to protect it from pedestrians and to afford us a good view to record the eagerly anticipated emergence. Doubt crept in, was it the real deal or some impostor. Well it was still alive as it wriggled violently to get a good grip on the grass stems. We then had a debate as to which point in time we would call it a life tick - did it count now or when it took to the skies?

I was enthralled to record, over a period of approximately 70 minutes, the transformation of what can be described as an "alien looking"  specimen to a teneral dragonfly, whose beauty will only increase in adulthood.

What follows is a set of shots taken over this period, far too many I know, but recording the significant changes.

T - 1254 - we recorded the recently emerged nymph, still glistening wet and very active

T+9 mins - the first signs of a split

T+10 - we can see that it is the right colour

T+11 - well on the way

T+13

T+16

T+24

T+24

T+25

T+26 - starting the wings

T+ 27 - wings at mid stage

T+30

T+32 - wings ready - almost.

T+49 - a short hop to the nearest bankside tree.

T+66 - moments before flight

And then it was gone, flying strongly up and over the railway bridge.

More diligent searching and we found a second specimen, this one attached to the concrete wall.