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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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Looking promising for November…

Records have been coming in from Dudmaston and Whixall Moss right up to the end of October. This makes me hopeful that fireworks won't be the only things whizzing through the skies in November...and we…
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November 1, 2017
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Basking in autumn sunshine…

A magnificent Migrant Hawker seen by Stephen Barlow enjoying the autumnal sunshine at Whixall Moss. Stephen also photographed female Common Darter (below left) and Black Darter (below right) -both fairly over mature drab individuals making…
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October 17, 2017
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Mild autumn could lead to late records…

Amazingly we're zipping through October and haven't turned the heating on yet...and that can only be good for dragonflies! Stephen Barlow reports that good numbers of Black Darter are still on the wing at Whixall…
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October 11, 2017
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Keeled Skimmers at Cramer Gutter

Good to hear a few of you have been visiting Cramer Gutter and enjoying the Keeled Skimmers. David Goodwin took these lovely photos of the male (left) and female- looking rather drab and probably 'over…
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September 3, 2017
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Fabulous Common Hawker pic!

A lovely photo of Common Hawker in flight sent in by Stephen Barlow at Whixall Moss - clearly showing the yellow costa on the wings and the narrow yet prominent antehumeral stripes.
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August 24, 2017
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Hawkers on high…

An interesting mix of Hawker sightings following this weekend. Jan Shields has sent in this lovely photo of Migrant hawker in flight at Mousecroft Pool near Shrewsbury -clearly showing the diagnostic reduced antehumeral stripes and…
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August 21, 2017
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Migrant Hawker on the wing

Migrant Hawker has finally been spotted on the Shropshire side of Whixall Moss on 15th August by Stephen Barlow. Stephen also reports good numbers of Common Darter now on the wing and I can certainly…
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August 18, 2017
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Dodging the showers…

In the sunny patches this August some of you are still managing some lovely photos. This Common Darter was photographed by Gareth Thomas in Ludlow and clearly shows the diagnostic yellow stripe on the black…
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August 14, 2017
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Keeled Skimmers join a soggy summer…

Just  a quick post to say that even though the summer has momentarily disappeared dragonfly records are still coming in. Gareth Thomas enjoyed (!) an overcast, cool and windy day at Cramer Gutter and was…
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August 8, 2017
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Emergence Sequence

I have been sent a lovely sequence of shots illustrating a Common Hawker emerging from Pole Cottage Pools on the Long Mynd. I tried to select a few pics but they were all great...so here they…
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July 27, 2017
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Don’t forget the females…

David Goodwin has been enjoying sunshine and dragonflies at Wildmoor Pool surrounded by Common and Brown Hawkers, Emperors, Golden-ringed Dragonflies, Common Blue Damsels and Black Darters. As we so often see and photograph the males,…
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July 27, 2017
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Common Darter puts in an appearance

Finally Common Darter records are coming in though still no sign of any at Whixall Moss. Jan Shields took these photographs which nicely illustrate the difference in abdomen shape between the parallel sided Common Darter…
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July 25, 2017
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Extraordinary Common Hawker antics!

Some extraordinary behaviour was recently observed at Pole Cottage Pools on the Long Mynd. A Common Hawker approached an ovipositing female Emperor before moving 15-20 feet away and starting to thrash around in the water…
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July 25, 2017
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Common Hawker on the wing

Stephen Barlow has reported in from Whixall Moss saying Common Hawkers have been about for the last 2 weeks though their typical relentless flight has to date prevented a photo! Surprisingly the odd White-faced Darter…
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July 19, 2017
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Red eyes everywhere…

Sue Loose saw a good number of species on the Montgomery Canal near Aston recently including Four-spotted Chasers, Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Banded Demoiselles, Azure Damselflies, Blue-tailed Damselflies and Red-eyed Damselflies....lots apparently occupying every lily…
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July 13, 2017
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Ruddy Darters and ducks!

Jan Shields had a good visit to Mousecroft Pool near Shrewsbury sending in the first Ruddy Darter record received this year and capturing this amazing shot entitled Mallard v Emperor -apparently the female Emperor got…
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July 13, 2017
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July update…

Returning from leave I've received lots of records and photographs and here are just a few.  A fabulous White-legged damselfly taken by David Williams on Kenley Common (left) and the aptly named Beautiful Demoiselle photographed…
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July 13, 2017
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Red- eyed Damselfly at Venus Pool

Jim Almond spotted and photographed this Red-eyed Damselfly at Venus Pool recently. As well as a lovely photo, this is an interesting record being only the second sighting of this species at this well recorded…
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June 23, 2017
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Don’t forget the exuviae!

Now the heat is on and a good number of species are emerging, but don't forget the exuviae. These are the best records to get as they are proof of successful breeding in a particular…
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June 21, 2017
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Glorious dragonflies in great weather…

A couple of lovely photos from Jan Shields showing a magnificent Emperor seen at Carding Mill Valley and a Broad-bodied Chaser sunbathing at Mousecroft Pool near Shrewsbury. The chaser illustrates the patches of dark pigment…
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June 20, 2017

Species recorded in 2025…

Large Red Damselfly

5th April

Common Blue Damselfly

22nd April

White-faced Darter

24th April

Four-spotted Chaser

24th April

Broad-bodied Chaser

27th April

Azure Damselfly

28th April

Blue-tailed Damselfly

28th April

Beautiful Demoiselle

28th April

Common Clubtail

5th May

Banded Demoiselle

6th May

Red-eyed Damselfly

16th May

White-legged Damselfly

16th May

Emperor Dragonfly

16th May

Black-tailed Skimmer

19th May

Norfolk Hawker

21st May

Variable Damselfly

21st May

Golden-ringed Dragonfly

29th May

Emerald Damselfly

30th May

Downy Emerald Dragonfly

31st May

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly

4th June

Common Darter

6th June

Black Darter

11th June

Common Hawker

13th June

Ruddy Darter

14th June

Keeled Skimmer

14th June

Brown Hawker

15th June

Southern Hawker

28th June

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

29th June

Migrant Hawker

24th July

Willow Emerald Damselfly 

30th July

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