Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum)
Species
Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum). Male. Taken at Plazishte, Bulgaria, on June 22nd 2014.
Male. Taken at Plazishte, Bulgaria, on June 22nd 2014.
(1/1600th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum). Female. Taken at Plazishte, Bulgaria on June 22nd 2014.
Female. Taken at Plazishte, Bulgaria on June 22nd 2014.
(1/800th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Southern Skimmers (Orthetrum brunneum). Mating pair. Taken at Rupite Hot Springs, Bulgaria on July 21st 2015.
Mating pair. Taken at Rupite Hot Springs, Bulgaria on July 21st 2015.
(1/500th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Wing span: 66 - 74mm; Body length: 41 - 49mm

A rather plain, medium-sized skimmer. Males become totally blue, and females are brown.

It is found in southern and central Europe, and as far east as Mongolia. Has extended northwards in Europe since the 1990s.

It favours small streams, running ditches and seepages, often scantily vegetated.

Adults are on the wing between April and September.

Males often perch on the ground, or on stakes beside running water.

Sightings

23-Jul-2015 : nr Novo Hodzhovo, Bulgaria
23-Jul-2015 : Mesta River fishponds, Bulgaria
22-Jul-2015 : nr Lilyanovo, Bulgaria
21-Jul-2015 : Rupite Hot Springs, Bulgaria

25-Jun-2014 : Rupite Hot Springs, Bulgaria
24-Jun-2014 : Papaz Tchair, Bulgaria
24-Jun-2014 : nr Novo Hodzhovo, Bulgaria
22-Jun-2014 : Plazishte, Bulgaria
20-Jun-2014 : Basalt pools, Bulgaria