August is a dynamic month in the woods for woodland workers and wildlife alike. Spells of dry, warm weather have let tractors crack on with the ride mowing. Once a year, the middle of the rides and sections along the woodland edge are cut. Thus, access for walkers is maintained, dominant plants and shrubs are kept in check, and the resulting open suntrap creates habitat diversity.

Dragonflies and damselflies are the stars of the show right now and many species are to be found in Finemere Wood. I recently joined a guided walk around the reserve with Peter Philp from the Upper Thames Branch of Butterfly Conservation and saw things I would never spot on my own.

Damselflies (Zygoptera) are delicate-looking creatures. Far smaller and slimmer than the robust and powerful dragonfly. Most of their life is spent underwater in ditches, ponds, and wetlands, living as nymphs. After a couple of years of repeated moulting, these extraordinary creatures climb onto land and metamorphose into exquisite, colourful flying invertebrates. As adults they have just a couple of weeks to live, to find mates and lay eggs, before their time is up.

Twenty-one species of Zygoptera can be found in the United Kingdom and a number of them can be seen in Finemere Wood. Eagle-eyed Peter made two unusual sightings: 

• A white-legged damselfly, with its pale broad legs - widespread in the South of England, but not common
• A Willow emerald damselfly - this species was first spotted in the UK in 2007 and has spread rapidly across southeast England

But what are the volunteers doing whilst all this invertebrate action is underway? They continue to scythe, rake, and chop back brambles along footpaths, making way for nature wanderers. Scything is a joy, but raking can be monotonous, and yet the camaraderie of the group keeps things light and there is little grumbling.

So, when next in the woods, bring sharp eyes and a pair of binoculars, and take note of those smaller creatures fluttering around - the ones that are perhaps overlooked for their larger, more boisterous cousins, the dragonflies. You will be drawn into the fascinating world of the ethereal damselfly.

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