Species Name: Black-tailed Skimmer - Orthetrum cancellatum

How to recognise

There are two species of skimmer to be found in Norfolk and both have clear wings which distinguish them from chasers. Mature male black-tailed skimmers have a predominately blue abdomen with a black tip and yellow arcs down each side. The thorax is a dark olive-brown. Females are yellow with two black bands running the length of the abdomen when viewed from above. Immature males resemble females, whilst very old females darken with age and can develop a blue pruinescence similar to males.

Where to see

Black-tailed skimmers are quite common in Norfolk and can be abundant at suitable sites with large open areas of water. Their habit of resting on boardwalks, fishing platforms, bare ground and other pale surfaces makes them easy to spot as they rise up and literally skim along at your approach. The best sites to see them are at places with wooden boardwalks such as NWT Ranworth Broad and NWT Upton Broad and Marshes, but they are also common around the edges of other broads, so if you are on a boat NWT Barton Broad is a good place to find them.

When to see

Emergence typically takes place from May to July and adults can be seen throughout the summer and even into early September. Black-tailed skimmers spend two to three years as larvae, usually living in still or slow moving water. At the time of emergence larvae can travel some distance over land before finding a suitable site to cast their larval skin (exuvia). Once mature, adults return to water to breed and males can be fiercely territorial. After mating, females egg-lay by dipping the tip of their abdomen into the water as they fly over it.

Conservation status in Norfolk

Black-tailed skimmers appear to be increasing their range and spreading northwards in Britain. In part, this may be due to the increased number of gravel pits being given over to wildlife, especially in southern England. In Norfolk they can be found throughout the county from the broads and brecks to the north Norfolk coast.

How to help

Leave patches of bare ground around the edges of larger water bodies and leave cut grass and other vegetation to dry out in ‘habitat piles’. These pale areas will attract basking dragonflies. Skimmers hunt from low perches, so placing a few sticks or twigs close to the water’s edge will also encourage them.

Did you know?

Many superstitions surround dragonflies. In England, the wings of a blue dragonfly placed in a missal is believed to bring good luck, but it is also considered bad luck to kill such a dragonfly.

Finding out more

British Dragonfly Society

Norfolk Dragons

Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society

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