Following a conversation with a fellow dragonfly watcher several weeks ago, a Dragonfly Sanctuary in Lea valley had been mentioned, so with a couple of spare hours, my wife and I decided on a visit to check it out.
The Sanctuary known as Cornmill Meadows lies in the heart of the Lea Valley complex, and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
It proudly boasts that over half the UK species of dragonfly have been recorded here.
There is a large free car park, with plenty of signboards that lead you to a way marked trail around the site.
It consists of an area of seasonally flooded grassland, ponds,ditches, streams and woodland.
We enjoyed a pleasant walk around the trail in warm sunshine, noting the following
Common Blue Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker and Emperor dragonfly.
I was hoping to see some Emerald damselfly or maybe the White legged Damselfly, but not this time.
Finally managed to get a photograph of the Common Darter which has been eluding me this year.
Lots of Ruddy Darters around the streams and bankside vegetation.
Quite a few Migrant Hawkers hanging about in the willows along the streamside.
Still one of my Favorites , the male Banded demoiselle.
Female Banded Demoiselle below
A very pleasant walk, if you are passing this way with a few hours to spare.
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