Aqueduct Pool.
Aqueduct Bridge. Copyright Johnathon Price.
As it was located below the Aqueduct Bridge, it seemed appropriate that I decided to christen the small body of water Aqueduct Pool. It was here that I observed my first Emerald Damselfly on 10 August 2023.
It's no surprise to find no Emerald Damselflies, the pool doesn't look to have had any recent management, and the fact that a huge fast food chain has an outlet a few hundred metres away up the path, this results with the site becoming one of 'human remains' not wildlife. Add this to the fact that the Emerald Damselfly is a strictly still water species, favouring shallow water with extensive emergent and marginal vegetation, it being shy to fly over open water.
I count myself lucky to have had the one encounter with the Emerald Damselfly in August 2023. Also on previous visits, I have recorded Southern Hawker and Brown Hawker, both species egg laying, and Four-spotted Chaser....I don't think the Emerald Damselfly or any of this will ever happen here again!
When I visited Aqueduct Pool on Thursday there was little sign of anything here, though I noted 4 Common Blue Damselfly and 2 Common Darter male.
Lancaster Canal.
From here I walked the canal towpath back to Lancaster, being a little disappointed with the resulting 13 dragon sightings, 8 Brown Hawker, 3 Emperor Dragonfly, including a female egg laying, a Common Blue Damselfly and Common Darter both males. Butterflies were a mix of 18 Large/Small White, 6 Speckled Wood, a Comma and Red Admiral.
These records compare poorly with those on my last walk along this 2 mile stretch of the Lancaster Canal in August 2024 when I notched up 48 individuals, 23 Emperor Dragonfly, 12 Brown Hawker, 8 Common Darter, and 5 Common Blue Damselfly.
Hummingbird Hawk Moth.
The Hummingbird Hawk Moth is a daytime flying moth, and a migrant species from Southern Europe and North Africa, it is occasionally seen in good number, especially during long hot spells like the one we have experienced over the past weeks.
* I found 58 records of Hummingbird Hawk Moth in West Lancashire this year March 5 - June 22.
Martin Jump.
As far as the photographic evidence he has achieved, my take on Martin Jump's recent encounter with a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, is that he's the luckiest person in Lancashire, if not in Britain.
I reckon Martin Jump was a step ahead of everyone in the County of Lancashire and beyond with this one, not only did he find the moth, but he managed to see it egg laying, and not only egg laying, but captured it on camera. Taking a closer look, there are three eggs in the image....I mean c'mon!
It's a Hawker exuviae of some kind but the reed is preventing me from seeing the eye shape which helps in some species. A good haul of odonata seen. Take care.
ReplyDeleteA hawker exuviae, that's good enough for me Marc. Pity about the obstructing reed.
DeleteRegards....Pete.
So sad about the aqueduct pools both were looking pretty sad when I was there last year so I didn’t return. Like many of these places there is a flourish of interest and endeavour at first and they are just left to stagnate, just look at the bottom of your road which was turned into a nice little nature trail when I lived there and was just left.
ReplyDeleteGetting off my soapbox now, cracking pictures of the Hawk Moth, I am jealous as never seen one.
Ian Mitchell
Love a good rant Ian, and there's nothing wrong with yours, you've made good use of your soapbox here.
ReplyDeleteRegards...Pete.
The detritus of a humanity is a problem the world over, and despite the campaigns against littering, the pleas and the public signs, it never seems to improve. It is hard not to conclude that most humans care little for nature, have no respect for the environment, have alienated themselves from the rest of the living world and are raising their children with the same lack of values. We are a sorry lot, Pete.
ReplyDelete'Human remains' is one of my favourite titles to the many images I publish about litter louts in the Forest of Bowland my favourite upland location for birding. My mentor - long gone sadly - always said 'I don't understand why they all 'don't just go to Blackpool'.
DeleteYou were absolutely right to dwell on this aspect of my post and for which I thank you David.
Regards....Pete.
As already mentioned such a shame to see the aqueduct ponds being overgrown and shaded out. Sadly, no money or effort seems to ever be in the equation for these projects. I've seen it timr and time again over the years. Steve
ReplyDeleteDidn't expect anything less than this from you about the sad neglect of Aqueduct Pool, and I appreciate your contribution Steve.
DeleteRegards....Pete.
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteWell, fast-food chains are just as much of a problem here as they are where you are—trash is lying around everywhere; it’s awful to see. The hummingbird hawk-moth is incredibly fast—Martin managed to get a great shot of it, and your video is excellent too; you really have to be quick. Nice post.
Best regards, Frank
Many thanks for your contribution once again Frank.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Oh my, what photos. Really stunning. That bridge is magnificent.
ReplyDeleteAlways appreciate your visits and comments.
ReplyDeleteThank You Sami....Pete.
Another fascinating read. It's a real shame to see how Aqueduct Pool has deteriorated since your first Emerald Damselfly record there. small wetlands like this can be surprisingly important for wildlife when they're properly managed. BTW Martin Jump's Hummingbird Hawkmoth photographs are fantastic; capturing it while egg-laying is something most naturalists can only dream of, that photo of the moth with its eggs, oh my!!. If you want to see hundreds of Hummingbird Hawkmoths and get tired of them, come to Spain.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another enjoyable update Pete.
Thank you for the compliments on the blog, to your response to the demise of Aqueduct Pool and to Martin's amazing HBHM egg laying, would be great to see hundreds of them if I come to Spain....Just a dream for me I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteTanks again Guillermo....Pete.
Pracht foto's van de Kolibrie Pete.
ReplyDeleteMooi filmpje ook, wat bleef deze ook lang hangen bij dezelfde bloem.
Groetjes Tinie
Yes Martin's images of the moth were quite something, and the one in my video was a most obliging individual. Appreciate your enthusiasm Tinie.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.