Race against time
2nd July 2010, FridayThe small shallow pools on Harbour Farm have been shrinking at a fast rate during this hot and dry spell, in one pool large numbers of Common Darter larvae have been concentrated into the remaining water and for them it has been a race againgst time to emerge. At dawn over the past few days successfully emerged adults can be found covered in dew amongst the nearby vegetation. It has been interesting to note that during the warmer mornings of summer Common Darter can go through the emergence process in 1 hour 15 minutes, in mid May it took a Downy Emerald 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the same process.
Shrinking pool on Harbour Farm
Common Darter roosting
Pharate adult waiting to burst out of the larval skin.