by Alan Underwood

My garden pond in Govilon near Abergavenny is well situated, allowing me to keep a reasonably regular eye on Odonata comings and goings throughout the summer months. It sits right next to our conservatory and changes in ground level in the garden mean that when standing in the conservatory the water surface is only just below waist height. Even better when sitting in my home office I can look through the conservatory and still see one end of the pond reasonably well. It also allows me to view two of the three dragonfly sticks I have placed around the pond margins. Just after 2.00pm on 24 August 2025, I took one of many of the day’s glances towards the pond. My eye was taken by a small, dark insect hanging from the end of one of the dragonfly sticks. Unusually, rather than resting on the upper surface of the stick, as with most odonata, it was hanging more from the underside and at the stick’s very tip.

Moving as close as I could, while remaining in the conservatory, I found my view was hindered by some strong backlighting and I still couldn’t decide what it was. I was now convinced that further investigation was needed. Grabbing my camera from the office I made my way into the garden and around to the pond. I half expected that by the time I made it to the pond’s side, whatever it was would have flown. But no. As the stick came into view I could see that it was still there. I started to take photos as I inched closer, constantly expecting to see it fly off. I could now see clearly that it was a damselfly – but what kind? I thought at first it might be an Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) as there are plenty of those on the hills above the house, although I’ve never seen one in the garden. As I came as close as I could while still retaining camera focus, I began to think that this might be a Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis), something I’d never seen before let alone in the garden. I was aware that there had been some sightings, the first in Wales, a few days earlier on the Gwent Levels but I was having difficulty in believing that a Willow Emerald had made it as far north and west, and inland, in Gwent as my garden. Obligingly it stayed in position for some twenty minutes or more before it flew off enabling me to capture a comprehensive photographic record. Returning immediately to the office to download the images they left no doubt in my mind that this was indeed a male Willow Emerald.

Chancing to glance towards the pond once more I was surprised to see the Willow Emerald had returned. This time taking up a position on the second dragonfly stick. The Willow Emerald was rather more active this time and fascinated by its behaviour I only remembered to take a few more pictures. Perched on the end of the stick it repeatedly resisted the apparent attempts of a male Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) to dislodge it. Given its significantly smaller size I was surprised how resistant it was to being moved on. The Willow Emerald shortly left of its own accord only for the Common Darter to claim the spot. The Willow Emerald quickly returned and sought to regain its position but this time it was the Common Darter that would not be moved. The Willow Emerald departed and that was the last I saw of it although I kept an eye on the pond for the rest of the afternoon.

[This was the fourth county record and the first away from the Gwent Levels, following sightings from Mill Reen near Magor, then at Monks Ditch near Goldcliff, and Summerleaze near Redwick, all also in August 2025. Steve Preddy]

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