Dragons at Panshanger Park, 23rd June 2026

A really hot day, but Allan & Tracey Burrows had found a couple of Lesser Emperor's in Panshanger Park the previous day, so I popped down to try and see this scarce Dragonfly. As I walked up there, the wild flower meadow looked amazing!

As to be expected, there were lots of butterflies, including these mating Skippers.

As well as a Green-veined White.

It was fantastic to see so many Marbled White butterflies, certainly well over a hundred as I walked around. One eventually settled, to allow for a couple of shots.

Panshanger is a really good spot for Wasp Spiders and there were a number around the lake. All quite small at the moment, though they will increase in size as the Summer progresses. This one had damselfly prey.

Standing by the lake, waiting for the Dragonflies, there was the sound of a Water Vole munching away out of sight. Later it swam across a small bay but just as I raised my camera it dived out of sight. I had more luck with this Common Frog, making its way back to the water.

As for the Dragonflies, there were at least one Emperor, one Norfolk Hawker and lots of Four-spotted Chasers. Quite a lot of male Black-tailed Skimmers and it was nice to get a picture of one with a decent background as they usually favour gravel areas.

It was a nervy wait for the Lesser Emperors, but they eventually started to show about 11am. Initially erratic, they seemed to develop a route and I managed to get a few flight shots.

They were hunting butterflies that were flying across the lake, eating them on the wing. I was extremely fortunate to grab a couple of shots as one landed close by, for a matter of seconds.

Great to see this scarce species expanding its range! The heat finally defeated me, so time to head back home. Lovely to see Allan & Tracey down there as well.