February - the refuge pond

Interesting things are afoot in the refuge pond near the garden at Willsbridge. Several dragonfly nymphs were found, one of which is attached. I could be wrong but it appears to be a brown hawker. The banding on the legs is a characteristic of this species. It's not an uncommon dragonfly in the Bristol area but I have never known it to breed at Willsbridge so it shows that an undisturbed pond is good for invertebrate wildlife.

Thanks to Rita Andrews for the photo.








Update: The banded legs suggested brown hawker, however this is apparently not definitive and I have been assured that the nymph is a southern hawker. This a species that has been breeding in the other ponds at Willsbridge for many years, so is perhaps not surprising. Many thanks to Polly Glazebrook and Tony Smith for the clarification.