The Essex Naturalist
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longer apply. There are reports of the species in 1997 from the Cornmill
Stream (R. Carrie), Waterhall Meadows (G. Pyman), Chelmer/Blackwater (I.
Cotgrove, T. Benton), Cripsey Brook, Ongar in TL5502 and 5503 (T.
Benton), the Roding in TL5604 (T. Benton), and the Wid at Ingatestone in
TQ9866 and TQ9926 (G. Smith).
In national terms, the Essex populations of the Scarce Emerald Damselfly,
Lestes dryas, are of great importance. They have been concentrated in
suitable habitat along the Thames estuary, and in the coastal grazing marshes
of the north-east of the county. There are also some inland records of
populations of this species inhabiting shaded woodland pools. Once believed
extinct in the UK the species was rediscovered at a number of Essex sites in
the mid 1980s, and by the late 1980s its national status seemed secure.
However, in the last two or three years there is some evidence of decline. In
1997 five searches for it on its Old Hall stronghold yielded only two sightings
where several hundreds had been seen in 1995 (P. Charlton). This apparent
decline in a site managed sympathetically for the species is worrying. Another
recorder reported failure to find the species at one of its south Essex
strongholds, Watt Tyler Country Park (G. Giles). These indications of
apparent decline suggest the advisability of a concerted effort of monitoring
in the 1999 season.
Following the excitement of 1995 as "invasion year" for rare migrant
dragonflies, 1997 appeared to be more typical. I have a report of one
specimen of Sympetrum flaveolum, seen by Reg. Arthur and R.J. Seago in
Riddles Wood on 29th July 1997.
Finally, I received a considerable number of reports of more common and
widespread species from across the county. These included fully detailed lists
from Curry Farm (G. Smith), Old Hall Marshes (P. Charlton), and Writtle
College (E. Sellers). In total, the following species were recorded in the
county during 1997:
Calopteryx splendens, Lestes sponsa, L. dryas, Platycnemis pennipes, Pyrrhosoma
nymphula, Coenagrion puella, Enallagma cyathigerum, Ischnura elegans,
Erythromma najas, Brachytron pratense, Aeshna mixta, A. cyanea, A. grandis,
Anax imperator, Libelluda quadrimaculata, L. depressa, Orthetrum cancellatum,
Sympetrum striolatum, S. sanguineum and S. flaveolum. There are also reported
sightings of L. fulva from the south-west of the county for 1997 (T. Gunton),
but poor weather conditions prevented confirmation of these in the 1998
flight period. I have no specific reports on Cordulia aenea, our very localised
Epping Forest species.
I would like to put on record my appreciation of all those who continue to
send in their observations. Even where these concern apparently common
species, they are of great value in maintaining an up-to-date picture of the
dragonfly fauna of the county.