Usually when I plan dragonfly teaching events there’s every chance of cloud and rain, but last weekend we were lucky and the FSC course at Preston Montford witnessed 17 species! Katherine Gee has sent in a few lovely photographs:
Berrington Pool did not disappoint with 10 species in all, the highlights being a good number of Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum (1st pic) and close up ovipositing by Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis -very conveniently on the jetty at the lunch spot! (NB. Berrington is privately owned and permission must be sought for access). The Bog pool at Stiperstones was also brimming with teneral female Emerald Damselflies Lestes sponsa and single specimens of Common Hawker Aeshna juncea and Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii were also seen.
Preston Montford Field Centre itself also had a good number of species on the wing including Ruddy Darter, Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum and Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata. Banded Demoiselles Calopteryx splendens also put in a good appearance:
