Damselflies and Spiders

Last week I visited RSPB Arne to do some birding hopping to see an osprey but was unsuccessful. I did see a few dartford warblers but one of the highlights was a spider. I was watching some dragonflies and damselflies by a pond. While watching two mating damselflies lay eggs the UK's largest native spider, the raft spider, paid a visit. From under the water a raft spider pounced on the female laying the eggs. A second spider came rushing in to joint the attack. The male damselfly decided that the battle was lost and left the female to the spiders. The spiders then fought each other for the female damselfly. In the end one spider got a good meal.