When looking for Dragonflies/Damselflies, it is best to go on a hot, sunny day.
A cool overcast day can be very disappointing.
A huge array of dragonflies and damselflies like SWT Westhay, but even though they are only approximately 1-mile apart, the key species vary slightly.
Mid-May/Early June is by far the best time to go here as numbers peak very high. Especially good are the Four-spotted Chasers that are around in their thousands. Blue-tailed Damselflies are exceptionally too. I've seen all of the many variations here. All the defined species are showing well.
July / August / September are quieter but have a good variety of summer species.
The Lesser Emperor has been seen here in the last few years (2021/22/23) and is more than likely getting a foothold in the reserve. The best place to see these are around the bridge over the canal just past viewing platform 1, although very hit or miss.
In 2023, Downy Emeralds were seen here as well.
Occasionally, Ham Wall can have a spectacular Four Spot Chaser Roost where thousands of these roost in the same reed-bed. This can be very hit or miss, 2023 had a spectacular roost, 2022/2021/2020 hardly had any to speak of, 2019 and 2018 both had reasonably sized roosts. Also, where this occurs in the last 2 weeks of May, the length of time they roost varies dramatically from a couple of days to a week. You also need an early start to see this event as they will start flying as soon as they are warm enough.
May / Early June
DRAGONFLIES: Hairy Hawker, Broad Bodied Chasers, Scarce Chasers, Four Spot Chaser (Exceptional), Black Tailed Skimmers
DAMSELFLIES: Large Red Damselfly, Variable Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Red Eyed Damselfly, Blue Tailed Damselfly (Exceptional later May to June)
Later June / July
DRAGONFLIES: Emperor, Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Ruddy Darter, Lesser Emperor (Rare)
DAMSELFLIES: Small Red Eyed Damselfly, Common Blue
August / September
DRAGONFLIES: Common Darter, Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker
NB The list above just names the key species during these dates and is not a complete list.
Route 1 - Waltons - Mid May to Early June
Park in the main car park and walk up to viewing platform 1.
Do the circular walk opposite viewing platform 1, this is called Waltons.
An amazing number of damselflies are located here. Especially good are the Blue-tailed Damselflies as well as a huge number of Four-spotted Chasers.
Flat / Mixture of hard core tracks and grass tracks / Mainly Uneven
Route 2 - Canal Path - Late June - July
Park in the main car park.
Walk back to the main road and turn right.
Once you cross the canal bridge, turn right and walk along the canal path.
Walk up to the bridge near viewing platform 1 - NB Lesser Emperors have been seen here around the end of June / early July.
Then cross the bridge and walk back along the main reserve path.
Flat / Mixture of hard core tracks and grass tracks / Mainly Uneven.