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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 2025 Shropshire Dragonfly Watch.

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Flight season starts with a record!

I was fairly sure the minute I left Shropshire for a holiday the flight season would start! On 5th April Stephen Barlow recorded this Large Red Damselfly (left) at Whixall Moss. This is a Shropshire…
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April 14, 2025
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Sunshine in the forecast…

Still only 31st March, but sitting with a glass of wine in the garden yesterday things felt very summery! As this fair weather spell continues keep your eyes open for the first Large Red Damselflies…
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March 31, 2025
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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…
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November 4, 2024
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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…
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October 9, 2024
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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…
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September 26, 2024
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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…
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August 28, 2024
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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…
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August 21, 2024
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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…
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August 19, 2024
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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…
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August 8, 2024
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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…
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August 2, 2024
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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…
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July 31, 2024
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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…
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July 25, 2024
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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…
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July 22, 2024
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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…
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July 8, 2024
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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…
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July 6, 2024
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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…
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June 25, 2024
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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…
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June 21, 2024
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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…
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June 14, 2024
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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…
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June 13, 2024

Species recorded in 2025…

Large Red Damselfly

5th April

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