Another hot day yesterday saw Jim Almond and myself battling through bogs and undergrowth to survey a private pool near Shrewsbury, but all was worth it when we saw Downy Emerald (left and below left) and the first Black-tailed Skimmers for this year. Downy Emerald is usually restricted to a handful of private sites in Shropshire, but last year was spotted on the Llangollen Canal near Ellesmere so it is always worth bearing in mind if you see a dragonfly holding small territorial bay areas with this distinctive silhouette captured in Jim’s photos.