Exploring Coastal Ditches

 I find coastal flats and ditches fascinating places to explore. They are full of insect activity and in south-east England, there is always a chance of seeing rare migrants that have arrived from across the channel. No such sightings for me this year but by way of a catch-up, here are a few images taken during July and August.

In East Sussex, the Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) is pretty much restricted to coastal flats but it can be fairly abundant in some ditches.

Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) (mating pair)

I came across a mating pair of Red-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus lapidarius) in the same reed bed as the Variable Damselflies and it was interesting to see how different the male and female are from each other. You can also see just what a weapon the female stinger is!

Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) (mating pair)

The following photographs are of mating pairs of  Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) and Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum). Such images help to show the subtle differences between these closely related species.

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) (mating pair)

 

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) (mating pair)