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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 2024 Shropshire Dragonfly Watch.

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Little and Large…

Julian Cartwright has sent in some lovely photos that happen to illustrate the range of Odonate abdomen widths! These female Broad-bodied Chasers (seen on Titterstone Clee ovipositing in a wheel rut)are actually even broader than…
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June 8, 2023
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Spot the difference…

With all this hot weather it's now possible to get 2 dragonflies per photo! Julian Cartwright has sent in a pair of male Large Red Damselflies and Jim Almond has sent in a pair of…
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June 5, 2023
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Big, bold and blue…

Jim Almond has sent in this fabulous close up of a Broad-bodied Chaser male. These are often the first species to investigate new water bodies and having recently built our pond we have already seen…
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June 1, 2023
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A rare treat…

I was lucky enough to spot a female Downy Emerald today completing emergence at a private site near Shrewsbury. She then took her maiden flight up into the tree canopy and I took the remaining…
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May 30, 2023
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Metallic colours everywhere!

Jim Almond has sent in the photos of this years Downy Emerald at Mousecroft Pool. So far just a single male seen, but a stunning individual with a wonderful emerald coloration and downy thorax -even…
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May 26, 2023
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Downy Emerald at Mousecroft

Jim Almond has recorded Downy Emerald at Mousecroft Pool near Shrewsbury for the second year in a row! Jim's photograph is taken from last year at Mousecroft Pool when we all thought this would be…
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May 25, 2023
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Warm weather for White-legs…

Jim Almond has pictured a female teneral White-legged Damselfly at a private site near Shrewsbury and elsewhere they have been seen emerging from the River Severn. Like Clubtails they can be seen right in the…
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May 22, 2023
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Things warming up in Shropshire…

Jan Shields has managed to capture 3 damselflies in one photo over her pond in Hanwood, which just goes to show what a few days sunshine can do for a boost in numbers! Having had…
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May 18, 2023
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Common Blue Damselflies on the wing

Jim Almond has seen the first Common Blues at Mousecroft Pool near Shrewsbury. These 2 photos both show males: the former immature individual will gradually develop the blue coloration of the latter. Both show broad…
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May 17, 2023
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All happening at once!

Well after a very slow start it seems things are taking off with 5 more species on the wing! Starting yesterday Jim Almond visited a private site near Shrewsbury and saw a good number of…
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May 12, 2023
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First dragonflies on the wing…

We finally have the first few dragonfly records coming in with a Four-spotted Chaser being recorded on the regular transect at Whixall Moss on 3rd May and a male teneral Broad-bodied Chaser spotted by Jim…
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May 8, 2023
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Slowly but surely…

Very changeable spring weather seems to be delaying our early species. Jim Almond has seen the first Large Reds emerging from his  pond near Shrewsbury so gradually the season is getting underway. These photos all…
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May 1, 2023
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Shropshire flight season underway!

Stephen Barlow has been checking a few of his well known suntraps on Whixall Moss and spotted the first (and possibly second) Large Red Damselfly for 2023. The individual was a female (pictured here) which…
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April 18, 2023
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Easter surprise?

It may still be early April, but with sunshine in the forecast for this weekend remember to be on the hunt not just for Easter eggs but also for our first Shropshire dragons or damselflies…
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April 5, 2023
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Balmy November continues…

David Williams has sent in this photo of Common Darter dragonflies seen on 13th November at Prees Heath Common. He saw at least 4 and observed ovipositing as well as mating pairs. I was on…
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November 14, 2022
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All change…

So the warm temperatures have rolled on through October and as a result the dragonfly records have continued to roll in...most recently from John Martin seeing this Common Darter on 26th October at Whixall Moss.…
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November 1, 2022
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Make your sightings count…

As we approach the end of the flight season the weather remains mild for now and sightings are still coming in. Jan Shields recently photographed this fabulous Emerald Damselfly at The Bog, Stiperstones and on…
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October 6, 2022
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Autumn in the air…

It seems in the last few days that autumn is really in the air and reasonable numbers of records of late summer species are still coming in. Mike Averill has been recording upland species on…
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September 27, 2022
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Unmistakeable Southern Hawker..

If a large dragonfly flies right up towards you and hovers in front of you the chances are it is a Southern Hawker male. This species is known for it's 'lack of respect' for personal…
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September 5, 2022

Species recorded in 2024…

Large Red Damselfly

12th April

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