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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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Predators on the wing…

Stephen Barlow has sent in some stunning photos of Stonechats feeding on Four-spotted Chasers up at Whixall Moss. Stephen reports that in this pair the female seems far more successful in gathering food for the young…
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May 9, 2017
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First blue damselflies seen…

Again Whixall Moss is coming up trumps for first sightings....this time a few female Azure Damselflies seen on 5th May by Stephen Barlow. This lovely shot shows the narrow antehumeral stripes and coenagrion spur (spur…
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May 7, 2017
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A small but successful pond!

Graham Wenman has sent in some lovely photos of Large Red Damselfly emerging from his pond - a 2ft x 3 ft pond proving that even small bodies of water can be really productive and…
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May 5, 2017
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White-faced Darter on the wing

In addition to Large Red Damselflies and Four-spotted Chasers Stephen Barlow has spotted the first White-faced Darters for 2017 at Whixall Moss. His photos show a teneral male (far left) and a teneral female (left). Both…
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May 4, 2017
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First dragons on the wing!

Stephen Barlow has spotted an early dragonfly at Whixall Moss on Saturday 22nd April. The Four-spotted Chaser is seen in his photo on the far left with four spots clearly visible on the wings and dark…
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April 24, 2017
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Large Red Damselflies at Whixall Moss

It seems 18th April was definitely the start of the flight season with Stephen Barlow also reporting around 9 teneral Large Reds at Whixall Moss - 2 beautifully photographed here.
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April 19, 2017
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First sighting for 2017!

Just as frost is forecast for tonight I hear from Warwick Davies in Oswestry that a Large Red Damselfy flew from his pond in Oswestry today. This means the Shropshire flight season is underway which…
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April 18, 2017
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Spring has sprung!

Amazingly April is nearly upon us and with that should come the first Large Red Damselflies of 2017- usually mid-late April but if  it's warm (?!) it could be sooner. As we await the first…
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March 29, 2017
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Whixall Ponds Work Party!

If this sounds more appealing than a Christmas party then Join Genevieve Dalley of the BDS this Thursday 15th December -wet and mud guaranteed! For full details follow this link.
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December 12, 2016
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Calling all records…

I recently emailed dragonfly recorders asking for 2016 records and received this lovely photo from Gareth Thomas of a Spotted Flycatcher with unlucky Banded Demoiselle! Caught last June apparently on the nearby Teme and carried…
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November 10, 2016
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Late sightings…

Common Darter are still putting in the odd appearance - last seen by Jan Shields at Mousecroft Pool near Shrewsbury on 21st October. Jan also came face to face with a Migrant Hawker earlier this month…
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October 27, 2016
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Still on the wing…

Good to hear several sightings of Common Darter were made on 15th October; 30 plus individuals seen basking on the rocks near Bayston Hill quarry by Peta Sams and a number also recorded by Stephen…
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October 19, 2016
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October Record

Having just asked the question regarding later records this sighting of a female Migrant Hawker at Colemere was sent in by Sue Loose. Even from a distance the diagnostic yellow 'T' shape can be visible on…
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October 5, 2016
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Will there be any October records?

Just a few more darters (seen by Stephen Barlow) basking on the post below at Whixall Moss. Having just dug our own garden pond  I was looking forward to it filling with rainwater,  but it appears…
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October 3, 2016
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Soaking up the sun at historic Whixall…

Stephen Barlow has been investigating the wall of a battery shed for the Second World War Strategic Starfish Site at Whixall Moss- and found a good number of dragonflies basking in the early autumn sunshine!…
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September 28, 2016
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Staying level headed…

Stephen Barlow reports that Hawkers are now fewer in number up at Whixall Moss, but his photo of one of the few is stunning! This Common Hawker can clearly be seen keeping it's head level…
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September 20, 2016
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Common Hawker in flight

Some lovely photos of Common Hawker in flight taken by Stephen Barlow. The female is seen here on the left with a far stockier body and very reduced antehumeral stripes, and the male is shown…
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September 5, 2016
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Mighty Dragonfly spotted…

I often think wouldn't it be great if the ancient ancestors of dragonflies with wingspans over 70cm were still flying around. Robin Ellis has spotted this specimen near Shrewsbury with a wingspan probably more like 7 m!…
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September 5, 2016
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Damselflies dining out….

...but sadly on each other! Damselflies seem to be low in numbers this year and there'll be even less with this going on. The first photo taken by Edward Andrews shows a male Blue-tailed Damselfly…
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September 5, 2016
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Hawker head on!

A fabulous shot of a Common Hawker head on showing clearly the narrow antehumeral (shoulder) stripes on the top of the thorax and the yellow costa (leading vein of the wings). This great shot was…
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August 25, 2016
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First Migrant Hawker sightings for 2016

Jan Shields has been enjoying a host of Common Darters (below) and the first Shropshire Migrant Hawkers for 2016 at Mousecroft Pool, Shrewsbury. Some really lovely in flight shots where you can even see the diagnostic…
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August 23, 2016

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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