In the spring and summer the reserve is a hive of insect activity. Many dragonflies and damselflies hunt and patrol the water’s edge, including Banded Demoiselle, Emerald and Small Red-eyed…

…of aquatic vegetation to allow the dragonflies to emerge. Species include common and black darter, four-spotted chaser and emperor dragonflies, as well as common blue, azure, emerald and blue-tailed damselflies….

…azure, blue tailed and emerald damselflies. Wildlife film-maker Steve Nicholls says he gets just as big a kick from seeing four spotted chasers here as anything in his global wanderings!…

…Hazel/Field Maple hedgerows and Willow carr. Species include White-legged Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Red-eyed and Willow Emerald Damselflies, Norfolk Hawker, Hairy Dragonfly and Scarce Chaser. Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed damselflies…

…Dragonfly and an ever-increasing population of Willow Emerald Damselflies. Over the years a number of migrant species have been recorded here, so you never quite know what might turn up….