Anax imperator......

A visit to Messingham Sand Quarries today proved very fruitfull,with me finding a cracking male Emperor resting in long grass in the first meadow,no doubt getting some respite from the strong westerly wind.It gave superb views allowing a close approach for some great images,what a stunner!.I never thought i would get the chance to get so close to this species as they are notoriously difficult to get near normally.After enjoying this cracker,another good species was found and a personal first record for the reserve,a female Banded Demoiselle.She was watched on the edge of the heather meadow and gave excellent views,a lovely metallic beast!!.Other species and numbers recorded today included 22 Brown Hawker,27 Black-tailed Skimmer,2 Common Darter,a further 2 male Emperor,male and female Emerald Damselfly and 4 Southern Hawker.A great 4 hours enjoyed around this great place for odonata.