Sunday 21 August 2022

Emperor Dragonfly - close-up!

10th August 2022 - during the recent hot weather there have been a number of dragonflies buzzing rapidly around Andy M's garden. Whilst one can sometimes get a good enough view to identify the species, it can be very hard to really see the detail when they are moving so fast. 

However, whilst rather sad for the individual, when we discovered a male Emperor Dragonfly that had become trapped and 'baked' in our greenhouse, it did present an opportunity to take some closeup photos of this amazing creature.  In particular, the details of the eyes, mouthparts and wings are fascinating.




Thousands of tiny hexagonal individual lenses make up the huge compound eye.





The complex attachment mechanisms of each wing to the thorax give the dragonfly 
amazing control over its direction and speed of flight.

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

  • To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
  • To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
  • To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
  • To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)