DRAGONFLIES in THE HAUGH, THROPTON

DRAGONFLIES, in THE HAUGH, THROPTON

This year The Northumberland Branch of The British Dragonfly Society carried out two surveys of Dragonflies in The Haugh at Thropton. These are their reports:

26th August 2025

"Thank you for your permission to survey your pond at Thropton for dragonflies. We found five species at the pond next to the car park.
The species were:
Southern Hawker
Migrant Hawker
Common Darter
Emerald Damselfly
Azure Damselfly
We are sure other species will be present at other times of the year.
The Southern Hawker even tried to lay eggs on my walking boot, photo attached.
With climate change dragonflies are having a tough time of it. As we are sure you are aware they spend up to 90% of their life as a larva under water (fish food).
Ponds like yours are vital for dragonflies as a breeding site."

9th October 2025

"We found Common Darter and Migrant Hawker at our visit. We were looking for Willow Emerald Damselfly that has steadily been heading north in recent years. We did not see any on the day although it was a bit breezy.
That will be our last survey of the pond this year as the dragonfly season draws to a close soon."

Photographs:

Azure Damselfly

Southern Hawker

Migrant Hawker