Broad Bodied Chaser

On Bank Holiday Monday, I finished work early and decided to cycle down to Black Hole Marsh as it's often calmed down from the weekend rush by Monday evening. From Island Hide there were no new waders but still Barwit and Grey Plover...

Grey Plover, BHM & Axe Estuary, May 2018 (Copyright T D Wright)

Barwits & Dunlin, BHM, May 2018 (Copyright T D Wright)

Anyhow, I decided to cycle back up to Colyford Common to look from the hide for any waders there. Nothing much yet as no water on the scrape but I struck lucky as the blue flash which made me hit my brakes was not a bird but a dragonfly - a Broad Bodied Chaser! A Coly Common first for me...

Broad Bodied Chaser, Colyford Common, 28/05/2018 (Copyright T D Wright)

A cracking male too! It repeatedly flew from this perch but always returned to it so I was able to use maximum zoom and still get reasonable shots of it. I then moved back and watched it through bins for a bit before realising that I needed to head for home as these early starts for work require a good night's sleep. I was loath to leave it though; I've waited a long time for a moment like this one.

Broad Bodied Chaser, Coly Common, 28/05/18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Broad Bodied Chaser, Coly Common, 28/05/18 (Copyright T D Wright)