Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata)
It seems likely that this species was formerly abundant in the Forest, but has declined with the loss
of acidic bog since the latter part of the 19th century. It is now an uncommon species in Essex and its
few remaining sites in the Forest (including its probable breeding sites at the Lower Forest Lake and
the Wake Valley Pond) are important to its continued existence in Essex.
Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa)
This species is local in Essex, tending to favour newly established ponds and mineral extraction
sites. It has been regularly reported in the Forest since the mid-19fh century. It has been found at
numerous Forest ponds, being particularly common at Connaught Water.
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)
This species appears to have become established in the Forest only in the 1930s, and to have become
common in the post-war period. Like the Broad-bodied Chaser it tends to favour recently created sites
with bare patches of sand or mud at the margins. Possibly because so many of the ponds in the Forest
are densely vegetated and often wooded at the margins, this species is now less frequently recorded
than in the past.
Black Darter (Sympetrum danae)
Historically this species has been confined in Essex to Epping Forest ponds. It does not appear ever
to have been a common species, but progressive loss of its habitat - ponds and pools in heathy areas
- led to its local extinction in the late 1940s or soon after. Recent attempts to recreate suitable habitat
on Sunshine and Deershelter Plains may possibly lead to a re-colonisation, though the exciting
discovery of a male in 1987 has not been followed by any further sightings.
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum)
A long-established species in the Forest, the Ruddy Darter is now a common breeding species at
many of the Forest ponds.
Yellow-winged Darter (Sympetrum flaveolum)
This rare migrant has been recorded intermittently in the Forest since the 19th century. The most
recent records of which I am aware are from Baldwins Hill Pond in 1982 and from the Wake Valley
Pond in 1984.
Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
Though generally regarded in Britain as a commoner species than the ruddy Darter, records suggest
that on the Forest ponds the reverse is the case. It is still, however, a common breeding species in
many of the Forest ponds.
Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombei)
There were no Essex records of this rare migratory species until 1989, when individuals were seen
at Epping Forest Conservation Centre Pond and the Wake Valley Pond.
References
Benton, E. (1988) The Dragonflies of Essex p. 1-138. Essex Field Club.
Doubleday, H. (1871) A List of Odonata (Dragon-flies) Occurring in the Neighbourhood of Epping. Ent. Mon. Mag. 1871-2 8 p. 86-7.
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