Dragonflies of any description in Alton are decidedly scarce, bar some moderate numbers of Demoiselles along the way.
Common Darters are not that surprising...
But Willow Emerald damselfly are quite exceptional. This is a recent colonist in the UK - they only really arrived in numbers in UK in 2009. There have been relatively few records for Hampshire before this year. The British Dragonfly Society website tells the full story here:
I found four of these including a pair in-cop.
I apologise for the ropey quality of the pictures - but they confirm the key things to distinguish from the more common Emerald Damselfly.
Also present - The hoverfly Helophilus Pendulus
