Category: Red-eyed Damselfly

Eastrington Ponds

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Habitat

Local Nature Reserve at (SE7829). The main pond is the former site of Eastrington Brick Works. There are several borrow pits foound along either side of the railtrail, the pits the result of building the former Hull and Barnsley Railway.

Access

There is a car park which is accessed off Howden Road, west of Eastrington village.

More Information

OS Map from BING Maps
A plan of the site can be downloaded from East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s website.

Species List

Broomfleet Washlands

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Habitat

Fenland type habitat with a series of fishing ponds.

Access

Leave the M62 at the North Cave junction. Take the B1230 to Newport. Before reaching Newport take the left turning to Broomfleet along Wallingfen Lane. At the end of the road turn right on to Common Road. Continue straight on, the road eventually turns in to a deeply rutted track which is passable with care, car park can be found before the track rises towards the railway. Alternatively turn left off Common Road on to Carr Lane. At the end of the road turn right on to Main Street. Take the right hand bend and follow the road until reaching the bridge over the Market Weighton Canal, don’t cross the bridge, the road is wide enough to safely park. Walk north towards the railway where there is an underpass on to the washlands complex.

Note: The site may be used for cattle grazing and could also be in use for shooting.

More Information

Market Weighton Canal Trail
OS Map from BING Maps

Species List

Noddle Hill Nature Reserve

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Habitat

A Hull City Council owned site. Fishing Pond.

Access

Take Bransholme Road off Noddle Hill Way (TA111348).

More Information

OS Map from BING Maps

Species List

Tophill Low Nature Reserve

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Habitat

A wide range of freshwater habitats including marsh, lagoons, dykes and small ponds.

Access

From the A164 Beverley to Driffield Road. Leave the A164 at Watton, sign posted Tophill Low Pumping Station and follow the brown tourist signs along unclassified road for 6.5km/4 miles. Turn right at the main gates and follow the road round to the car park. Open Wednesday to Sunday 9am – 6pm during the summer months, and 9am – 4pm during the winter. The reserve is normally closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but is open on Bank Holiday Mondays.

More Information

OS Map from BING Maps
Tophill Low Nature Reserve

Species List

Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas

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Length

33-37mm; Wingspan: Male 43mm; Female 46mm; Hindwing 19-24mm

Male

Mainly bronzed black with bright red eyes. Top of thorax lacking any antehumeral stripes. Segments 1, 9 and 10 are blue. Sides of thorax are blue with black line and spur present. Legs are black. Immature male is similar to female. Similar to Small Red-eyed Damselfly which is smaller, differences occur in the blue markings. At rest the wing tips reach in to segment eight, in Small Red-eyed Damselfly the wing tips only reach as far as segment 6 or 7. Generally holds its abdomen level, where as Small Red-eyed Damselfly often holds its abdomen slightly upcurved towards the end.

Male Red-eyed Damselfly at Broomfleet on 12/05/2011 - © Paul Ashton.

Female

Mainly black with green sides to thorax containing black line and spur. Segments 9 and 10 are black with narrow blue divisions. Eyes are a dull red colour. Usually have short shoulder stripes, though some lack them all together and some may form as explanation marks.

Female Red-eyed Damselfly at Broomfleet on 12/05/2011 - © Paul Ashton.

Behaviour

Strong direct flight over water. Spend lots of time resting on broad floating leaves such as water lilies. Mats of algae and debris are also used and males may use surrounding shrubs if there is little floating vegetation. After emergence they will spend time away from water to mature. The first three weeks of emergence is probably the best time to encounter this species at close quarters. Females usually only appear at water to breed. Copulation takes place over water or on nearby vegetation. Egg laying is mainly in tandem, both sexes often submerging. They are laid mainly on the underside of Water Lilies, though other floating vegetation will be used.

Habitat

Preference for larger ponds, lakes and canals. Requires abundant floating vegetation, such as water-lilies Nymphaceae, or broad-leaved pondweed Potamogeton natans. When these are absent it may use floating algae mats, or rest on bankside vegetation.

Flight Period
Status

Species is at the northern edge of its range in Yorkshire.

Distribution Map

Locations

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