White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia dubia), Cumbria - 11th July 2010

This is the second time within a week I've visited this remote location in Cumbria to view this rare species of Dragonfly. On my first visit I only managed to see one in flight and was unable to obtain any photographs so with the weather being reported as fine in the area we headed back today. The White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia dubia) is afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 due to the fact there are only currently 5 breeding sites in England, 3 of them being in Cumbria. Its habitat is lowland peatbogs where it requires deep, acidic bog pools containing rafts of Sphagnum in which to breed. The pools must be free of fish as the nymphs are more active during the day and therefore susceptable to predation. 

ABOVE AND BELOW THE WHITE FACE CAN JUST BE MADE OUT

ABOVE THE WHITE FACE CAN CLEARLY BE SEEN BELOW WARMING UP IN THE SUN

On my second visit we saw 3 males but only after about an hour of searching a large area and the sun finally making an appearance. White-face Darters only fly in sunlight so can be very difficult to locate in dull weather where they tend to roost amongst the surrounding scrub (up to 50m away from the pools). On both visits another small dragonfly was in evidence but I was unable to photograph them to make a positive identification. Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) could be seen in large numbers as well as Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) and Common Blue (Enallagma cyathigerum) .

TOP FEMALE EMERALD, ABOVE MALE EMERALD BELOW BLUE-TAILED DEVOURING A CRANEFLY

The Large Heath (Coenonympha tullia) also inhabits the area in large numbers which is usual for this species though on my second visit I could only find one. The Large Heath found here is the sub-species Polydama which has less spots than the true form.

LARGE HEATH (FORM POLYDAMA)