DAINTY DAMSELFLY-OARE MARSHES-FAVERSHAM-KENT

After finishing work at midday, I drove to Oare Marshes near Faversham in Kent. It was my first visit to this reserve, and I was keen to add the Dainty Damselfly (Coenagrion scitulum) to my life list.

Oare Marshes

Walking along the inland side of the reserve toward Dan’s Dock, I enjoyed excellent views of Ruddy Darters (Sympetrum sanguineum), Scarce Chasers (Libellula fulva), Scarce Emerald Damselflies (Lestes dryas), Black-tailed Skimmers (Orthetrum cancellatum), and two Norfolk Hawkers (Aeshna isosceles).

Ruddy darter

Scarce Emerald Damselfly

Black-tailed Skimmer

Reaching Dan’s Dock, I was greeted by the calls of Marsh Frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus), and to my astonishment, I counted 37 individuals.

 

Dan's Dock

The Marsh Frog, Europe’s largest frog, is not native to the UK. A small number were introduced in Kent during the 1930s, and over subsequent decades, they spread across surrounding wetlands. Releases are now illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, but these frogs have become firmly established in southeast England. Among the Marsh Frogs, I finally spotted the Dainty Damselflies—around fifty in total, some in tandem and others forming the characteristic heart-shaped copulation wheel. This species is unique to Kent, with green-yellow markings on the underside. Males display a distinctive “wine-goblet” mark on segment 2 below the wing base, while females show “rocket-shaped” markings along the abdomen.

Historically, the Dainty Damselfly was recorded in the Hadleigh area of Essex between 1946 and 1952, but became extinct there after the severe coastal floods of 1953. The species successfully recolonised in England around 2010, primarily on the Isle of Sheppey in north Kent, and a new population was discovered at Sandwich Bay in 2019.

After enjoying prolonged views of these spectacular damselflies, I spotted a Yellow Wagtail nearby as I made my way back to the car—a perfect finale to a day of exceptional wildlife sightings.

Another damselfly added to the list and another fantastic site explored!