Pools and ditches with plenty of vegetation growth.

Azure Damselfly

Azure Damselfy

In vegetation by the sides of sunny paths and water. Fields. Widespread over many parts of PWNR

In vegetation by the sides of sunny paths and in meadows. Widespread over many parts of PWNR. Sometimes seen in small loose ‘groups’ over water.

In vegetation along the sides of paths, water and in fields. Check patches of brambles around the South Pools hide.

Could be anywhere. Likes to sit in sunny positions close to slow flowing water.

Likes ponds and other standing water with plenty of luxuriant growth of rush, grass or sedge. Look from the South Hide at the pool edges in front of the hide. Also try looking from the boardwalk by Frog Pond.

This is a rare damselfly at PWNR. Sometimes seen on, or flying above, floating pondweeds and algae.

This species, which is often seen away from water, basks on the ground, fence rails, bramble patches and branches.

NB The males turn a red colour as they mature while the females have a light yellow thorax and abdomen turning darker brown with age. If you ever get close enough you might notice the cream or yellow stripe on their black legs!

Ruddy Darter

Ruddy Darter

Look at areas of damp meadow and along the rhynes.

Red-veined Darter

Red-veined Darter

Seen mainly along the dried mud edges of the pools.

Difficult to see
This is a scarce migrant and rare breeder. Not known whether it breeds at PWNR. Easily overlooked because of its similarity to other darter species.

Quite widespread, can be seen along the rhynes and from the Ecology park boardwalk.

Has a preference for pools and rhynes, but wanders and could be seen anywhere. It has the habit of repeatedly leaving and then returning to the same perch. Can be seen along the seawall path and Water Vole Lane.

This nationally scarce dragonfly (as its name suggests) has only been seen on rare occasions at PWNR. It prefers well vegetated margins of pools and rhynes.

Frequently seen basking on sunny paths throughout the reserve. Check the seawall path and Water Vole Lane. Also seen at the Ecology Park pools.

Prefers pools and ponds and slow flowing water.

This stunning dragonfly can be seen hawking along sunny hedges and bushes almost anywhere on the reserve. Check rhynes, plus the lane adjacent to the South Pools hide and the path along the seawall. Sometimes small ‘swarms’ might be spotted.

This inquisitive dragonfly might well approach and inspect you. Southern Hawkers, like all damselflies and dragonflies, are harmless. Prefers well vegetated pools, even small ones.

This nationally scarce dragonfly (as its name suggests) has only been seen on rare occasions at PWNR. It prefers well vegetated margins of pools and rhynes.

This beautiful, large blue dragonfly can be seen flying over the reserve’s North and South Pools. Often spotted from the South Pools hide. Also from the Ecology Park boardwalk.

Seen hawking above the larger pools at PWNR.