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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 2026 Shropshire Dragonfly Watch.

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2 more species on the wing…

Stephen Barlow has sent in the first record for this year of Emerald Damselfly (below left) seen at Whixall Moss. This is a female with a stockier body than the male, no blue pruinescens and…
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June 15, 2026
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Scarce Chaser returns to Shropshire!

Until 8th June this year there had only ever been 1 record of Scarce Chaser in Shropshire made at Attingham Park in 2008. Jimmy Yau has now photographed this individual at Severn Valley Country Park…
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June 10, 2026
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Species round up…

Two more species are on the wing with Golden-ringed Dragonfly (left and below left) being seen by Jan Shields at Pole Cottage on the Longmynd and Black-tailed Skimmer being recorded by Chris Shaw in Telford…
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June 10, 2026
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Norfolk Hawkers nearby…

Returned from hols and catching up still on all records, but a heads up that Paul Roughley has seen 2 Norfolk Hawkers in Montgomeryshire on the Montgomery Canal near to the Claypits Reserve. Keep your…
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June 9, 2026
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Variable recording and Variable Damselflfies…

A strange spring with a sudden heat wave seems to result in smaller shallower pools really getting underway, but larger waterbodies still with very few if any dragonflies. I checked a few larger sites yesterday…
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May 26, 2026
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Emerging Emperors…

Sunday 24th May saw some of the first Emperors emerging. A teneral was seen in Chelmarsh and I was lucky enough to visit Anne Bradley's ponds in Pontesbury where we saw around 20 Emperor exuviae!…
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May 26, 2026
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Is it finally getting warmer?

Seems it's been a long time coming, but things are picking up a little and I've had the first Chasers emerging from my pond finally. Jan Shields has sent in these lovely photos of Banded…
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May 19, 2026
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White-legged Damselfly on the wing…

A record for a female immature White-legged Damselfly has been made near the River West Onny just East of Lydham. This record has come in via iNat to iRecord so sadly I cannot contact the…
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May 14, 2026
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Cold winds and few dragonflies…

This time last year we were up to our eyes in dragonflies on the wing and yet this year despite the list of species growing, sightings are few and far between. Ivan Grove recorded this…
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May 11, 2026
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Clubtails and Demoiselles

Stephen Barlow and Jake Dudderidge have both been enjoying Demoiselles and Clubtails on the River Severn in Shrewsbury. Stephen sent in these photos  illustrating the 'clubbed tail' of the adult male. Typically only Banded Demoiselles…
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May 8, 2026
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Common Clubtails on the wing!

Paul Roughley has sent in these lovely photos of Common Clubtail exuviae and the emergent adult seen by Crewgreen Bridge near the confluence of the Rivers Vyrnwy and Severn...right on the Shropshire border! At first…
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May 6, 2026
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Hairy Dragonfly sighting!

Hairy Dragonfly has been seen at Lynclys Quarry reportedly in the 'woody bit' on 4th May by Anna McCann. Anna sent in this photo of the male which shows clearly the prominent tapering antehumeral stripes,…
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May 5, 2026
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3 more species emerge…

The sudden surge of spring species remains unconvincing in terms of numbers and indeed numbers of records coming in, but gradually the list of those on the wing is growing. Stephen Barlow has sent in…
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May 3, 2026
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Common Blue Damselfly emerges…

Tim Walter has sent in the first record of Common Blue Damselfly (pictured left) seen alongside Blue-tailed Damselflies at Pam's Pools near Bridgnorth. Things have remained slow in getting going and today is the first…
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April 30, 2026
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Two more species on the wing…

Wonderful weather and things definitely getting underway! Harry Beaman has photographed this female White-faced Darter at Whixall Moss on 24th April and the following day Ivan Grove saw 9  Beautiful Demoiselles (male below left) at…
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April 27, 2026
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Blue-tailed Damselflies on the wing!

After a record breaking April in 2025, this year has been comparatively very slow to get going, but finally a second species has emerged, Blue-tailed Damselfly. Tim Walter saw a male and a female at…
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April 23, 2026
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Slowly but surely…

Well it couldn't be more different to last spring when good numbers of damselflies were already out and about in early April. Here we have evidence from Stephen Barlow of the first individuals appearing up…
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April 16, 2026
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2026 flight season underway!

Tricky April weather and tricky recording as I am unable to check iRecord for incoming records due to a security issue- hopefully soon to be resolved! Despite this the first Large Red Damselfly has been…
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April 13, 2026
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On your marks…

Nothing reported yet, but keep your eyes open for the first Large Red Damselflies. 2025  saw the earliest ever Shropshire individuals emerge on April 5th! This exuviae was photographed by Jan Shields in previous years,…
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March 31, 2026
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Any more sightings?….

It's that crazy time of year where people are already talking Christmas so I thought I'd post a reminder to please make sure you have all your records entered into iRecord or emailed to myself…
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November 12, 2025
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Glorious autumn sunshine…

Once the day warms up there are still a reasonable number of dragonflies on the wing. Geoff Hall has sent in this pair of Migrant Hawkers seen at Dinham Bridge, Ludlow and Jan Shields has…
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September 25, 2025

Species recorded in 2026…

Large Red Damselfly

13th April

Blue-tailed Damselfly

23rd April

White-faced Darter

24th April

Beautiful Demoiselle

25th April

Azure Damselfly

27th April

Common Blue Damselfly

29th April

Broad-bodied Chaser

30th April

Four-spotted Chaser

2nd May

Hairy Dragonfly

4th May

Common Clubtail

5th May

Banded Demoiselle

6th May

White-legged Damselfly

10th May

Red-eyed Damselfly

20th May

Emperor Dragonfly

24th May

Black-tailed Skimmer

29th May

Golden-ringed Dragonfly

5th June

Scarce Chaser

8th June

Emerald Damselfly

12th June

Ruddy Darter

14th June

Norfolk Hawker

18th June

Southern Hawker

18th June

Brown Hawker

20th June

Common Darter

21st June

Willow Emerald

21st June

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

29th June

Black Darter

29th June

Lesser Emperor

4th July

Red-veined Darter

6th July

Migrant Hawker

19th July

Keeled Skimmer

13th August

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