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Damselflies in garden

RBMancRBManc Posts: 59
in Wildlife gardening
Hello all. 

I've recently had an influx of damselflies in my garden and I'm wondering what it is that has attracted them - I've never had this many before.

I've recently made a wildlife pond out of a half barrel - it's got quite a few plants in and is above ground with some brick "steps" leading up to it. I thought it might be this but the damselflies are never on or that near the pond. 

They seem to spend a lot of time in a really sunny border between the ferns, nepeta and penstemon. Do any of these attract them?

I've also left an unmown crescent moon shape in my lawn which they seem to like hovering around too. 

Intrigued as I love them and want more :) I think they are the common blues and I have spotted males and females.

Thank you

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It’s the pond. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • RBMancRBManc Posts: 59
    @Dovefromabove Thank you, I thought it must be but wasn't sure as they never hang around near it!
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    and the insects around your plants


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    I first saw damselflies when I had a washing-up bowl of plain water in a sunny spot in the garden before 2019. Since then, I have added buckets of standing water and a mini-pond and have seen more. This week I have witnessed one dropping eggs into plants quite near the pond (a rose bush) and into the pond area. My pond plants are rather minimal at the present, by the way. I love seeing damselflies, there presence is a delight
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • RBMancRBManc Posts: 59
    clematis Dorset That is interesting! I introduced my mini pond to try to attract frogs, damselflies and hopefully some dragonflies so I'm excited to see that I'm starting to see results 😁 I saw quite a few of them with the end of their tail curled down on plants so I assumed they must be laying eggs, so exciting! Amazing that they are attracted just to buckets of standing water :) 
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    Yes, there is something magical about them @RBManc!  :) They often hover over a spot and sort of float up and down in a rapid movement when laying eggs. It sometimes surprises me that they choose certain plants and water areas over others. Sun and shade, I have seen them in both but have not been quick enough to take a photo yet! Maybe you will have better luck!?  :)
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • RBMancRBManc Posts: 59
    There is, especially when they are en masse! I did manage to get a photo (not the best quality) on my phone of one of the ladies, I intend to get my camera on them in the near future :)


  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    Wow, that is a really good photo, @RBManc! That looks like a lot of nepeta too. Feeling a bit envious!  :)
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
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