Anyone studying an Ordance Survey map of Worthing would notice the area west and north of Durrington Tescos, even in the most recent updates, is depicted as fields with the odd stream or dyke. We all know this area has now been extensively developed with new housing. Our intrepid local entomologist Colin Jupp set off on foot to explore this area and discovered several small ponds amongst the houses due west of Tescos and much to his delight found a rare Lesser Emperor. This is the first time this species has been recorded in the Worthing area and Gareth James takes up the story with his post from the Sussex Dragonfly Group website.
On Saturday 9th August, Colin Jupp discovered a male Lesser Emperor at a pond within a new housing estate in West Durrington. We visited the site on Sunday afternoon and checked a couple of the ponds in the area.
Most of the activity was at the second pond we visited, located at TQ107054. Here, we observed two male Lesser Emperors patrolling along the western shore, along with several Emperors and Black-tailed Skimmers. Also present were both Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselflies, as well as a single Blue-tailed Damselfly.
The first pond we checked, situated to the south at TQ107051, held a male Ruddy Darter and a couple of Emperors.
We later learned that Colin's original Lesser Emperor sighting had been at a third pond at TQ107048. So, if you're visiting the area, it's well worth checking all three ponds but please mindful of the privacy of local residents. (Paul Bridget and Gareth James, West Durrington - TQ1005)
Lesser Emperor is a very scarce Dragonfly in Sussex only recorded from a handful of sites (see link for details). https://sussexdragonflies.org.uk/speciesAccount.php?species=Anax%20parthenope
