Skip to main content
search

Shropshire Dragonfly Watch BlogKeeping an eye on the dragonflies flying in Shropshire

Common Darter male

The purpose of this blog is to keep dragonfly enthusiasts up to date with dragonfly activity throughout the season. This way we should all know first hand what’s on the wing in Shropshire.

 

All are very welcome to be part of this seasonal diary. Get in touch via the  contact form with sightings and photographs so I can post them on the blog. Even if you’re new to dragonflies and not sure what you have photographed please send it in and get involved in the 2024 Shropshire Dragonfly Watch.

Blog

Still on the wing…

Stephen Barlow has sent in this fairly well camouflaged female Common Darter seen basking at Whixall Moss on October 26th. Stephen reported 'moderate numbers' of dragonflies still being present including Black Darters (below left) and…
admin
November 4, 2024
Blog

A flutter of activity…

It seems Monday 7th October brought a flurry of later records. Common Darters and Migrant  Hawkers were seen at Dudmaston and Colemere and some of our acidic pool specialists were spotted elsewhere; Stephen Barlow photographed…
admin
October 9, 2024
Blog

Between the downpours…

It's raining again and hard to see how our dragonflies will persist for long if autumn continues like this! In between showers Julian Cartwright saw good numbers of Black Darter (left) on Magpie Hill near…
admin
September 26, 2024
Blog

Beautiful Black Darter…

Geoff Hall has sent in these beautiful photos of Black Darter taken at Pole Cottage on the Long Mynd. This acidic pool specialist is the smallest dragonfly species in the uk as well as being…
admin
August 28, 2024
Blog

Black Darter back at Dolgoch Quarry…

For the second time this year Black Darter has been recorded in what were thought to be 'one-off' 2023 locations; firstly at Prees Heath and now Stephen Kill has sent in this photo of a…
admin
August 21, 2024
Blog

It’s behind you…

Jan Shields has been enjoying the Keeled Skimmers at Cramer Gutter and sent in this amazing photo of a Common Lizard lurking behind a male...and incredibly not eating it! I often find you can get…
admin
August 19, 2024
Blog

Small Red-eyed Damselflies on the wing…

Geoff Hall has sent in these great photos of Small Red-eyed Damselflies at their regular location of Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms. They are probably present in many more locations than have been…
admin
August 8, 2024
Blog

Black Darters at Prees Heath…

Chris Shaw has sent in these photos of a female Black Darter - one of several individuals seen at Prees Higher Heath just southeast of the southern car park. Black Darter was also recorded here…
admin
August 2, 2024
Blog

The heat is on…

...and many of you are sending in some great records and photos thank you! Paul Thomas has sent in this truly stunning photo of a Common Darter seen at pools near Cleestanton along with the…
admin
July 31, 2024
Blog

Only a Common Darter….

Only a Common Darter, but so beautifully photographed by Geoff Hall near Wistanstow that I had to post it! This close up gives us a really good view of the frons area- you can see…
admin
July 25, 2024
Blog

Emerging Southern Hawkers…

Just a hint of summer has prompted more emergence. Jan Shields photographed this very fresh teneral male by her pond and also captured the comparison below of the adult head next to the exuvia. Fascinating…
admin
July 22, 2024
Blog

Spots before the eyes…

Geoff Hall has sent in this fabulous head on shot of a Four-spotted Chaser seen at Whixall Moss. You can see the four spots - one in the middle (node) of each wing- that give…
admin
July 8, 2024
Blog

Majestic Emperor…

Paul Thomas has sent in some wonderful inflight photos of our largest UK species the Emperor Dragonfly. Pictured left is the female and below, the male and both photos clearly show how they neatly tuck…
admin
July 6, 2024
Blog

Keeled Skimmers out and about…

Anna McCann has sent in the first sighting of Keeled Skimmer for this year. This female (left) was recorded roughley half a km from a known breeding area on the Long Mynd, but is a…
admin
June 25, 2024
Blog

Black Darters on the wing…

Glimpses of summer have brought out the Black Darters at Whixall Moss. Stephen Barlow reports a number of tenerals including this female (left) showing clearly the diagnostic black triangle on top of the thorax. Common…
admin
June 21, 2024
Blog

As fresh as it gets…

Miles Leach has sent in this great photo of a female Azure Damselfly dining out in Tugford...fly apparently optimistically still kicking! It will be interesting to see how our species fare as June seems to…
admin
June 14, 2024
Blog

2 more important species on the wing…

12th June saw the emergence of 2 more species at Whixall Moss. Stephen Barlow recorded this teneral Common Hawker (left) and then Stephen and Nathan Brake both saw Emerald Damselflies (below left) on different areas…
admin
June 13, 2024
Blog

Golden-ringed Dragonfly on the wing…

Golden-ringed Dragonfly has been photographed on June 2nd near The Lawley. Sadly this was reported via iNat where the default licensing means I cannot use the photo and I cannot contact the recorder....so if you're…
admin
June 10, 2024
Blog

A couple of new Darters for the weekend…

Despite the cooler weather 2 more Darter species have been seen at Whixall Moss. Firstly on the 6th June Stephen Barlow recorded Common Darter (top left) followed today by Nathn Brake recording the very similar…
admin
June 7, 2024

Species recorded in 2024…

Large Red Damselfly

12th April

Four-spotted Chaser

24th April

White-faced Darter

28th April

Blue-tailed Damselfly

4th May

Beautiful Demoiselle

5th May

Azure Damselfly

6th May

Common Blue Damselfly

8th May

Broad-bodied Chaser

8th May

Banded Demoiselle

9th May

Red-eyed Damselfly

10th May

Common Clubtail

11th May

White-legged Damselfly

12th May

Emperor Dragonfly

19th May

Variable Damselfly

21st May

Southern Hawker

25th May

Norfolk Hawker

2nd June

Black-tailed Skimmer

2nd June

Golden-ringed Dragonfly

2nd June

Common Darter

6th June

Ruddy Darter

7th June

Common Hawker

12th June

Emerald Damselfly

12th June

Black Darter

20th June

Keeled Skimmer

22nd June

Brown Hawker

29th June

Migrant Hawker

27th July

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

6th August

Close Menu