Skip to main content
 

Shropshire Dragonflies

 

Shropshire Dragonflies

 

Shropshire Dragonflies

Welcome to the fascinating world of Shropshire dragonflies!

The aim of this website is to encourage all who have an interest in dragonflies to get to know them better and become involved in identifying and recording the species you see in Shropshire.

Only in this way can we establish those habitats of greatest importance in conserving our local populations. So grab your binoculars, cross your fingers for Shropshire sunshine and go out and enjoy these fabulous insects!

Click on the menus to find:

  • Photographs, descriptions and distribution maps of all Shropshire species
  • Top tips on identification and a guide to recording so you can join in!
  • The latest sightings in the Shropshire Dragonfly Watch blog and the annual Shropshire Dragonfly News
  • Local dragonfly events providing a chance to get some hands on identification experience
  • Information on Shropshire dragonfly habitats and  places to visit
  • Details of the incredible dragonfly life cycle

STOP PRESS: Red-veined Darter, Lesser Emperor, Norfolk Hawker & Willow Emerald in Shropshire again! See blog for details

Scarce Chaser & Hairy Dragonfly in Shropshire-see blog for details

The Shropshire Dragonfly Newsletter 2026 has arrived! Follow this link Newsletter spring 2026 

SHROPSHIRE BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS MAP now available on the Recording-Where page. Take a look at this great interactive resource telling you what species are where and so highlighting those areas in need of more recording.

Dragonflies

Photograph © R.Stokes

Twenty- three species of dragonfly have been recorded in Shropshire. Click the link below to find out more.

More about Dragonflies

Damselflies

home-damelfly

Photograph © G. Hiatt

Thirteen species of damselfly have been recorded in Shropshire. Click the link below to find out more.

More about Damselflies

Identification

Photograph © G. Hiatt

Find out how to identify our Shropshire species and top tips to make life easier!

More about identification

Latest from our blog

Activity at Attingham…

| Blog | No Comments
Jan Shields has sent in some lovely photos taken on a dragonfly course at Attingham Park yesterday. We saw numerous Ruddy Darter (left) and surprisingly only 1 Common Darter (below left). Emperors seemed to be…

Harassment in the heat!

| Blog | No Comments
Stephen Barlow has sent in this fascinating sequence of photos showing a male Black-tailed Skimmer harassing a female Brown Hawker looking to oviposit. Taken up at Marbury Big Mere, but such interesting photos had to…

Look out for hawkers in tandem…

| Blog | No Comments
Stephen Barlow has sent in this great photo of Lesser Emperors ovipositing. It was taken in Cheshire on Marbury Big Mere, but definitely worth posting on the Shropshire blog as this behaviour of ovipositing in…

Darter dilemmas…

| Blog | No Comments
Now we have 3 species of red coloured male darters on the wing I thought I'd take a closer look at the 2 you're more likely to see. Stephen Barlow has sent in this photo…