Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne

Naturetrek Tour Report 22 - 29 June 2011

Yellow-spotted Emerald, Somatochlora flavomaculata

Report and image compiled by Nick Ransdale

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne

Tour leader: Nick Ransdale

Participants: Vaughan Patterson Hilary Lawton Chris Benson Margaret Clayton Terry Clayton

Summary

This two-centre holiday in central-western France gave us an excellent insight into both the dragonfly fauna and abundant butterflies, birds and other wildlife of the region. After spending the first two days in the Vienne, we visited the myriad ponds of the Pinail Nature Reserve on our way to Bellebouche, where we spent three days in the Brenne, 'land of a thousand lakes'. This wide range of sites and habitats yielded a final total of 35 species of dragonflies, 40 species of butterflies, and 136 bird species, not to mention a wide range of other animals and plants, that the combined talents of the group helped to find and identify. The weather ranged from a cool 18°C on Day 2 to a sizzling 40°C plus on Day 6, curtailing walking (and odonata) activity somewhat! However, as the Brenne was a new area for all but one participant, we also took refuge in several of the newer bird hides that now grace the Brenne, enjoying great views of some of the Brennes' special birds.

Day 1 Wednesday 22nd June

Cool, sunny, 20°C The train from Paris arrived on time at Poitiers, at 16.53, where we all met up except for Hilary, who was meeting us at the hotel in Montmorillon. The journey from Poitiers city centre to the Hotel de France, Montmorillon was uneventful, as we managed to miss the worst of the Poitiers rush hour, arriving at 18.00. With plenty of time to freshen up, we dined at 19.30 and discussed our program for the coming week. After a delicious meal in the newly refurbished restaurant, an early night was taken after the days travelling through northern France.

Day 2 Thursday 23rd June

Cool, total cloud cover, a brief shower, seldom above 18°C After a very filling buffet breakfast, we did our first brief shop at the supermarket, and then headed straight on to an etang in the commune of Persac. Etangs are man-made lakes which may vary greatly in size, but are usually fished either commercially or for pleasure – course fishing; the 'target species' nearly always carp. The weather was gloomy and threatening, but generally dry, if a little too cool for much odonata activity. However, with patience we gradually picked up species, missing only those real sun-lovers; mainly the skimmers and chasers. Our first Banded Demoiselles, Calopteryx splendens, a single Willow Emerald Damselfly, Chalcolestes viridis, lots of Small Red Damselflies, Ceriagrion tenellum, many Blue-tailed Damselflies, Ischnura elegans, and several White-tailed Skimmers, Orthetrum albistylum. This last species doesn't occur in UK, and mature males can be tricky to differentiate from Black-tailed Skimmer, Orthetrum cancellatum; both are generally common here.

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

After lunch here, we moved on to an old disused gravel pit, the weather still decidedly threatening and overcast, although one or two brief breaks in the cloud proved fruitful. A delighted Margaret found Hare's-foot Clover, Trifolium arvense, amongst many other plants on this site, and a two minute sunny spell provided our first Green- eyed Hooktail, Onychogomphus forcipatus, a splendid male.

Our last odonata stop of the day was at a ford crossing a stream back in Persac commune. Here some of us saw our first Goblet-marked Damselfly, Erythromma lindenii, although we all saw them the next day.

Finally, we stopped at a working sand pit near Montmorillon to watch 2-3 pairs of Bee-eaters hawking insects, together with many Sand Martins – a fitting end to a good first day in the field considering the low temperatures.

Day 3 Friday 24th June

Bright, sunny periods, warmer with no appreciable wind, 23°C We awoke today with brighter skies, and many swifts and hirundines hawking over the hotel.

Our first stop was a private etang near Moulismes, where our luck held, the sun shone, and temperatures gradually picked up, though still on the cool side. Our first species was Large Red-eyed Damselfly, Erythromma najas, the second several Goblet-marked Damselflies, Erythromma lindenii, both showing well on Lilypads. Our first Scarlet Darter, Crocothemis erythraea, a stunning male followed; this and the two common 'tailed' skimmer species provided good photo opportunities.

We continued on to another etang in Plaisance commune, again near Moulismes. Here we found at least 6 Orange White-legged Damselflies, Platycnemis acutipennis, all males, and a single female. We took lunch here in shade of the poplars, but not before finding our first Western Clubtail, Gomphus pulchellus, a male, and a single Four-spotted Chaser, Libellula quadrimaculata, these now being at the end of their flying period.

The weather was now warm and sunny, so we moved on to try a river site near La Trimouille. Our stroll along the river here produced many good species, most notable being Beautiful Demoiselle, Calopteryx virgo, Club-tailed Dragonfly, Gomphus vulgatissimus, Brilliant Emerald, Somatochlora metallica, Orange-spotted Emerald, Oxygastra curtisii, (2 males), and an early Southern Hawker, Aeshna cyanea. Here we also saw many more Green-eyed Hooktails, Onychogomphus forcipatus, and Western Clubtails, Gomphus pulchellus; we could all now get to grips with the finer details of their identification. Hilary found an Orange-spotted Emerald male hung-up and posing nicely for photos, we also found many butterflies and insects here. Having found 23 odonata species within half-an- hour of Montmorillon, we concluded our visit to this area with a splendid meal – and an early night!

Day 4 Saturday 25th June

Hot, sunny, very little wind, 28°C This morning we left the hotel and stopped off in the old quarter of Montmorillon for a panoramic view of the town, and a brief visit to the 900-year-old church.

2 © Naturetrek August 11

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

We then headed north to Le Pinail reserve north of Poitiers but still in the Vienne. We arrived at about 11.00, so decided to make a brief visit to the nearest of the pools before taking lunch near the entrance parking area. Unfortunately, this initial stroll indicated that all the White-faces (Large White-faced Darter, Leucorrhinia pectoralis) were finished, and that the reserve was suffering badly in the drought. Normally this species is present here well into July. However, our first Common Emerald Damselfly, Lestes sponsa, was seen before a fairly eventful lunch! We had just settled down to eat, in the shade of the stone shelter, when two superb Short-toed Eagles appeared right above us, both hovering and hunting together at low altitude. Ten minutes later, Chris found an emerald dragonfly that was frequently landing on a poplar next to the shelter – it was our first and only Downy Emerald, Cordulia aenea. And, as they often come in 'threes', our first Southern Migrant Hawker, Aeshna affinis, a female/immature male, was seen briefly by a few of us; we would all get good views of this species in the Brenne.

After a lunch-time session like this, we considered staying put, but the lure of the Pinail, with it's bizarre landscape, drew us on, and we started our 2km walk in perfect weather. Hilary soon found the only Large Red Damselfly, Pyrrhosoma nymphula, of the trip, a male, not long afterwards we found a splendid male Yellow-spotted Emerald, Somatochlora flavomaculata, which kept hanging-up on the same Tree-heather branch, rather obligingly. Nick had not seen this species here before, and it meant that in two days we had seen all four species of Emerald dragonfly, and all in the Vienne!

We then left Le Pinail and headed east towards the Brenne, deciding to stop in Chauvigny marketplace for celebratory drinks and ice-creams – for which the leader was most grateful! We arrived at Bellebouche, in the Brenne, with plenty of time to spare before our pleasant stroll down to the restaurant beside the large etang there. Most nights we eat outside here, on the shady terrace surrounded by mature trees, and a nice view across the water.

Day 5 Sunday 26th June

Hot, with a light northerly wind, strong sunshine, in the late p.m. 35°C Before breakfast some of us early-risers looked for birds around the confines of the bungalows where we stay. There is good, mature mixed woodland here and around the etang, and most of us saw Green, Great Spotted, and Lesser Woodpeckers, the latter heard only, several Bonelli's Warblers and Chiffchaffs, two Crested Tits, Nuthatches and at least two Short-toed Treecreepers.

After breakfast we headed off for our first destination in the Brenne – an etang near Subtray. Our target species here were emerald damselflies, and we were not to be disappointed. In the first small area we came to that had the warmth of the morning sunlight, we found Southern Emerald Damselflies, Lestes barbarus, Small Emerald Damselflies, Lestes virens, and Common Emerald Damselflies, Lestes sponsa, as well as another Willow Emerald Damselfly, Chalcolestes viridis. These were all within a 100 metre stretch of track. We took another track along the side of an etang, and found our first Common Winter Damselfly, Sympecma fusca, and then Margaret found a splendid male Southern Migrant Hawker, Aeshna affinis, which patrolled along the edge of a dry etang, giving everyone excellent views of this super species. The last new species to be seen at this site was a Southern Darter, Sympetrum meridionale, another species not seen in UK. We also saw good numbers of birds here, including 'Brenne specials' like Whiskered Terns, various egret species, Purple Herons, wildfowl, Black Kites, and heard Woodlark.

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

We took lunch at Le Bouchet, the headquarters of the national park authority, where there is a shop and picnic area, and a very pleasant etang. After lunch, we soon found our first Small Red-eyed Damselflies, Erythromma viridulum, also our first Dainty Damselflies, Coenagrion scitulum, and at least two Common Tree Frogs.

By now it was pushing 35°C, so we decided to take a leisurely drive in our air-conditioned minibus down towards Rosnay, stopping en-route for some interesting birds. Several small groups of Cattle Egrets were seen, and an etang near Foucault produced waders – Lapwings, two Black-winged Stilts, two Little Ringed Plovers and two Green Sandpipers. At Foucault, more Black-winged Stilts and Little Ringed Plovers, a Redshank, at least one Nightingale in sub-song, and some relief from the scorching sun!

From here we took the 'scenic' route back to Bellebouche, stopping at a large etang with tree cover, seeing our first Great White Egrets and a group of 13 Redshank – an uncommon bird this far inland, and proof that return wader passage had already begun.

Walking down to the restaurant that evening, we all got fantastic views of Red Squirrel, and after another dining experience in the open air, some of us heard Tawny Owl that night.

Day 6 Monday 27th June

Extra hot! Hazy sunshine and extreme humidity, 38°+C Over breakfast we discussed plans for the day, bearing in mind the extreme weather and the equally extreme weather forecast. We had seen 35 species already, and the general view was that half-day walks in this weather were not looked upon with relish! So we decided to visit a heronry with a hide and four breeding species of heron – Grey, Purple, Night and Little Egret. We had great views of these, with many young Purple Herons present, and also saw a patrolling male Yellow-spotted Emerald, Somatochlora flavomaculata, along the footpath. In the same area, a Southern Migrant Hawker, Aeshna affinis, female/imm, and a Middle Spotted Woodpecker were seen by some of us.

We decided to take lunch under the trees at Bellebouche restaurant picnic area. Afterwards we visited two new hides, one near Douadic, the other on Cherine reserve. By now odonata activity was virtually zero anyway, but nesting birds have to carry on whatever the temperature, so at the first hide we had excellent views of Black- necked Grebes, distant Red-crested Pochards, and absolutely superb views of two male Kingfishers catching fish from the same overhanging branch – two young brothers, maybe. We moved on to the second hide at Cherine, where Great Crested, Little and Black-necked all nest, and even better views of nesting Whiskered Terns were had, with Reed Warblers showing very close to the hide. So another good day ended with a meal on the terrace at Bellebouche – if not a good day for odonata sightings, a good one for close-up bird encounters.

Day 7 Tuesday 28th June

Very hot! Stormy, one daytime shower at lunch-time, 30°+C Again we discussed strategy over breakfast. With the prospect of cooler weather (a 'low' of 30°C!), we decided on two short walks. To increase our odonata list to the usual total of around 40 species would have meant some serious effort; we decided to take things easy with these short walks.

4 © Naturetrek August 11

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

Our first walk was a footpath alongside an etang at Beauregard – this can produce some unexpected species, but alas moral started to wane as the temperature crept up, and our list remained on 35! Southern, Small and Common Emeralds were all seen, as were Small Red-eyed and Dainty Damselflies, and Scarlet Darter.

Lunch again was taken at Le Bouchet, after which we visited an etang near Migne. This produced several Common Winter Damselflies, a late Four-spotted Chaser, Scarlet Darters, more Southern Darters and a Honey Buzzard.

We then took refuge again in the hide at Cherine for the final hour or so, where a new brood Scarce Swallowtail showed well!

Again we took our final evening meal outside – where the temperature was now very pleasant.

Day 8 Wednesday 29th June

Cooler after overnight storms, bright and sunny, 25°+C We needed to be at Poitiers station at 13.00, so we left Bellebouche at our normal 'start-time' 9.00, making a two hour cultural/odonata stop at St-Savin, back in the Vienne. Here we had a choice; sit with a coffee and soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful town square, visit the abbey church, a remarkable piece of 900-year-old architecture, and a UNESCO site, or take a walk beside the River Gartempe. In the event, most of us did all three, and although the river was very low, we still saw Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles, a Willow Emerald, a Common Emerald, many White-legged Damselflies, as well as the ever-present Blue-tailed Damselflies. A fitting way to end a visit to this delightful yet little-known part of France…

Finally, a big thanks to participant Vaughan for bat detection – see species lists.

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is now live; do please pay us a visit!

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

Species Lists

Odonata ( = recorded) June Common name Scientific name 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1 Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo        2 Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens         3 W. Willow Spreadwing Lestes viridis         4 Migrant Spreadwing Lestes barbarus       5 Small Spreadwing Lestes virens      6 Common Spreadwing Lestes sponsa       7 C. Winter Damselfly Sympecma fusca       8 Blue Featherleg Platycnemis pennipes        9 Orange Featherleg Platycnemis acutipennis    10 Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula    11 Small Red Damselfly Ceriagrion tenellum       12 Blue-eye Erythromma lindenii    13 Large Red-eye Erythromma najas   14 Small Red-eye Erythromma viridulum    15 Azure Bluet Coenagrion puella        16 Dainty Bluet Coenagrion scitulum     17 Common Bluet Enallagma cyathigerum        18 Common Blue-tail Ischnura elegans         19 Blue-eyed Hawker Aeshna affinis    20 Blue Hawker Aeshna cyanea   21 Blue Emperor Anax imperator        22 Common Club-tail Gomphus vulgatissimus  23 Western Club-tail Gomphus pulchellus   24 Small Pincertail Onychogomphus forcipatus      25 Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea    26 Brilliant Emerald Somatochlora metallica   27 Yellow-spotted Emerald Somatochlora flavomaculata   28 Orange-spotted Emerald Oxygastra curtisii     29 Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata        30 Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum        31 White-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum albistylum       32 Broad Scarlet Crocothemis erythraea       33 Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum       34 Southern Darter Sympetrum meridionale       35 Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum      

Butterflies ( = recorded)  

1 Swallowtail Papilio machaon   2 Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius    3 Large White Pieris brassicae       4 Small White Pieris rapae       5 Green-veined White Pieris napi    6 Clouded Yellow Colias crocea    7 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni        8 Wood White Leptidea sinapis    9 Purple Hairstreak Quercusia quercus   10 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas     

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

June Common name Scientific name 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 11 Provencal S-T Blue Everes alcetas      12 Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus     13 Brown Argus Aricia agestis     14 Adonis Blue Lysandra bellargus    15 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus      16 Lesser Purple Emperor Apatura ilia    17 White Admiral Limenitis camilla       18 Peacock Inachis io        19 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta      20 Comma Butterfly Polygonia c-album       21 Map Butterfly Araschnia levana       22 Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia     23 Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia   24 Marbled Fritillary Brenthis daphne       25 Heath Fritillary Mellicta athalia       26 Marbled White Melanargia galathea        27 Weaver's Fritillary Clossiana dia    28 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina         29 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus    30 Gatekeeper Pyronia cecilia      31 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus        32 Pearly Heath Coenonympha arcania    33 Wall Brown Lasiommata megera    34 Mallow Skipper Carcharodus alceae   35 Large Chequered Skipper Heteropterus morpheus    36 Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon    37 Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola      38 Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris       39 Large Skipper Ochlodes venata      

Birds ( = recorded; H = heard only)

1 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus       2 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis      3 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis      4 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo   5 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax    6 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis        7 Little Egret Egretta garzetta     8 Great White Egret Egretta alba   9 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea         10 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea        11 Mute Swan Cygnus olor       12 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos       13 Gadwall Anas strepera     14 Shoveler Anas clypeata     15 Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina    16 Pochard Aythya ferina      17 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula      18 Black Kite Milvus migrans        19 Montagu's Harrier Circus pyrgargus        20 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus  

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

June Common name Scientific name 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus    22 Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus   23 Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus     24 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo        25 Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus      26 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus         27 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus     28 Coot Fulica atra       29 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus   30 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius    31 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus       32 Redshank Tringa totanus   33 Green Sandpiper Actitis ochropus    34 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus        35 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus        36 Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus        37 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columba livia         38 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto         39 Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur        40 Tawny Owl Strix aluco        41 Common Swift Apus apus        42 Kingfisher Alcedo atthis   43 Bee-eater Merops apiaster   44 Hoopoe Upupa epops     45 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis     46 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major       47 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus medius       48 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus minor    H H  49 Skylark Alauda arvensis    50 Woodlark Lullula arborea    51 Sand Martin Riparia riparia     52 Swallow Hirundo rustica         53 House Martin Delichon urbica         54 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis       55 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis       56 White Wagtail Motacilla alba        57 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea     58 Wren Troglodytes troglodytes    59 Dunnock Prunella modularis    60 Robin Erithacus rubecula   61 Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos  H  62 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros       63 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus       64 Stonechat Saxicola torquata        65 Blackbird Turdus merula        66 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos      67 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus    H 68 Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti  H 69 Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus    70 Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus       71 Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta      

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

June Common name Scientific name 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 72 Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata   73 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin    74 Whitethroat Sylvia communis       75 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla       76 Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli     77 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita       78 Crested Tit Lophophanes critatus  79 Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus       80 Great Tit Parus major       81 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus   82 Nuthatch Sitta europaea       83 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla       84 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio     85 Starling Sturnus vulgaris        86 Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus       87 Jay Garrulus glandarius       88 Magpie Pica pica         89 Jackdaw Corvus monedula        90 Carrion Crow Corvus corone         91 Rook Corvus frugilegus         92 House Sparrow Passer domesticus         93 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs         94 Serin Serinus serinus       95 Bullfinch Pyrrhula phyrrhula      H 96 Greenfinch Carduelis chloris        97 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis        98 Linnet Acanthis cannabina     99 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra    100 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella      101 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus      

Mammals 1 Coypu Mycocastor coypus    2 Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus  3 Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris   4 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus    5 Noctule Nyctalus noctula     6 Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus     7 Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus  

Amphibians 1 Edible Frog Rana esculenta       2 Agile Frog Rana dalmatina  3 Common Tree Frog Hyla arborea  

Reptiles 1 Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis        2 Green Lizard Lacerta bilineata       3 European Pond Terrapin Emys orbicularis      

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

June Common name Scientific name 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Moths and other invertebrates

1 5-spot Burnet Zygaena trifolii  2 6-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae   3 Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellarum      4 Hornet Vespa crabro       5 Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea    6 Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata       7 Roesel's Bush Cricket Metrioptera roeselii     8 Great Green Bush Cricket Tettigonia viridissima     9 Field Cricket Gryllus campestris    10 Fire Bug Pyrrhocoris apterus    11 Mayfly sp. Ephemera sp.     12 Lacewing sp. Neuroptera sp.     13 Scorpion-fly sp. Panorpa communis     14 Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi     

Plants

1 Royal Fern Osmunda regalis  2 Heath Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza maculata  3 Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii   4 Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera    5 Twayblade Listera ovata  6 Brenne Orchid Dactylorhiza brennensis  7 Lizard Orchid Himantoglossum hircinum   8 Greater Butterfly-orchid Platanthera chlorantha    9 Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine  10 Mueller's Helleborine Epipactis muelleri  11 Red Helleborine Cephalanthera rubra  12 Violet Limadore Limodorum arbortivum  13 Man Orchid Aceras anthropophorum  14 Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia canopsea  15 Bird's Nest Orchid Neottia nidus-avis  16 Heath Lobelia Lobelia urens    17 Viper's Bugloss Echium vulgare       18 Small Scabious Scabiosa columbaria       19 Greater Bladderwort Utricularia vulgaris       20 Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea       21 Carthusian Pink Dianthus carthusianorum  22 Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria       23 Bellflower sp. Campanula sp.       24 Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris   25 Lungwort Pulmonaria sp.   26 White Asphodel Ashodelus albus   27 Chicory Cichorum intybus    28 Common Cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense    29 Deptford Pink Dianthus armeria    30 Hare's-foot Clover Trifolium arvense    31 Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca 

Dragonflies of La Brenne & Vienne Tour Report

Common name changes for odonata

Western Willow Spreadwing (Willow Emerald Damselfly) Lestes viridis Migrant Spreadwing (Southern Emerald Damselfly) Lestes barbarus Common Spreadwing (Emerald Damselfly) Lestes sponsa Robust Spreadwing (Scarce Emerald Damselfly) Lestes dryas Blue Featherleg (White-legged Damselfly) Platycnemis pennipes Blue-eye (Goblet-marked Damselfly) Erythromma lindenii Large Red-eye (Red-eyed Damselfly) Erythromma najas Small Red-eye (Small Red-eyed Damselfly) Erythromma viridulum Mercury Bluet (Southern Damselfly) Coenagrion mercuriale Azure Bluet (Azure Damselfly) Coenagrion puella Variable Bluet (Variable Damselfly) Coenagrion pulchellum Dainty Bluet (Dainty Damselfly) Coenagrion scitulum Common Bluet (Common Blue Damselfly) Enallagma cyathigerum Common Blue-tail (Blue-tailed Damselfly) Ischnura elegans Small Blue-tail (Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly) Ischnura pumilio Blue-eyed Hawker (Southern Migrant Hawker) Aeshna affinis Blue Hawker (Southern Hawker) Aeshna cyanea Green-eyed Hawker (Norfolk Hawker) Aeshna isosceles Blue Emperor (Emperor Dragonfly) Anax imperator Western Spectre (Dusk Hawker) Boyeria irene Hairy Hawker (Hairy Dragonfly) Brachytron pratense River Club-tail (Yellow-legged Club-tailed Dragonfly) Gomphus flavipes Common Club-tail (Club-tailed Dragonfly) Gomphus vulgatissimus Blue Chaser (Scarce Chaser) Libellula fulva Yellow-spotted (Large) Whiteface Leucorrhinia pectoralis Broad Scarlet (Scarlet Darter) Crocothemis erythraea Moustached Darter (Vagrant Darter) Sympetrum vulgatum