More Damsels

lake near keshcarrigan home to irish damselfly

Leitrim is a stronghold of this unusual damselfly, Coenagrion lunulatum which is also found in Finland but rare in the rest of western europe 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

male and female banded jewelwing

 

These damsels out now like slow moving rivers such as the Cullies river which also has kingfishers breeding 

 

coenagrion puella seems to be the most common damsel on our farm at the moment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Pondipping

head and legs of caddis fly larvae

caddis case made of pieces of plant material

diving beetle , killeshandra

Mayfly larvae

dragonfly nymph possibly 4 spot chaser

Four spotted Chaser

 Had a marvellous time last week  pond dipping with children from Mullagh National school. The teachers were excellent at organizing the event the children interested and well behaved. Every one had a great time.

water snails in May

Mullagh lake has problems and had a strong algal bloom  last week however we managed to find lots of rams horn snails, freshwater shrimps, hoglice, damselfly larvae, caddis fly larvae, midge larvae , water boatmen, mayfly larvae ( small numbers) water scorpion and great diving beetle.

Warm weather brought out the damselflies on our own lake and bog.

 I was delighted to watch four- spotted chasers (Libellula quadrimaculata )egg laying and various chases and courtships. Also present was another type probably( Brachytron pratense) or hairy dragonfly.

 

Two different species above

 

November pond dipping

I had a look in the drain yesterday and found some creatures.

Damsel fly larvae

Since there are 5 species of damsel fly, that I have seen in the summer, in that area. I wouldn’t know which these are. That would require greater study.

water slaters (I believe)

 

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