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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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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
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Brown Hawkers flying high…

Great dragonfly weather has encouraged a boost in winged activity at Whixall Moss this weekend with Stephen Barlow seeing White-faced Darters, Four-spotted Chasers, Azure , Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies and the first 2017 Shropshire…
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June 19, 2017
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Black Darters on the wing

Finally a day of summer weather saw the arrival of Black Darter at Whixall Moss. This is quite an early sighting and Stephen Barlow's photograph shows the diagnostic black triangle on top of the thorax-…
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June 15, 2017
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Golden-ringed Dragonfly on the wing

Gareth Thomas has made the first 2017 Shropshire sighting of Golden-ringed Dragonfly at Cramer Gutter in south Shropshire. The female seen here has a fabulous long ovipositor which is clearly visible at the end of…
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June 12, 2017
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Things picking up between showers…

Despite a rather dubious start to June there have been unconfirmed reports of Emperors and Emerald Damselflies taking to the wing (will hopefully update shortly). Stephen Barlow has also spotted an early Southern Hawker up…
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June 9, 2017
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Beautiful Demoiselles at still water sites…

I have visited a few still water sites in recent days and reasonably frequently encountered Beautiful Demoiselles. It was timely that Stephen Barlow then sent me this picture of the species seen at Whixall Moss....again…
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June 1, 2017
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New Clubtail breeding records…

David Tompkins who is coordinating the Clubtail Count 2017 has just informed me that 3 adults and more importantly 12 exuviae have been found on the River Vyrnwy just upstream of Melverley and also 1…
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June 1, 2017
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Keep an eye out for local rarities…

I had the chance to survey 2 private ponds near Shrewsbury yesterday and amid battling mighty mosquitoes I was lucky to see Variable Damselflies and Downy Emerald Dragonflies on the wing. There's always a chance…
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June 1, 2017
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Broad-bodied Chasers on the wing

The first record (I am aware of) of Broad-bodied Chaser has been made by Stephen O'Donnell on 26th May on the Wrekin and fortunately he caught the female on camera with the unmistakable broad flattened…
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May 30, 2017
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Wonderful White-legged Damselflies

A busy weekend for White-legged Damselflies! I found a good number of exuviae on the banks of the River Severn in Shrewsbury and David Williams saw a large number of tenerals at Hampton Loade...including this…
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May 30, 2017
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Beautiful pictures…

Warwick Davies has answered the request for photos of Beautiful Demoiselle -this male being spotted on his pond near Oswestry....presumably from the River Morda, being a species associated with running water.
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May 30, 2017
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Beautiful Demoiselle on the wing

Richard Wooley has recorded Beautiful Demoiselle down in the Wyre Forest on May 22nd. No photo as yet, but it would be nice to post one of this stunning insect if you see any...
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May 26, 2017
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Activity picking up at Whixall

Stephen Barlow reports that things are finally picking up at Whixall Moss and has sent in some lovely shots of male (left) and female White-faced Darters. Stephen also reports seeing White-legged Damselfly at Marl Allotment…
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May 25, 2017
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Clouds of Banded Demoiselles…

Between the more predictable clouds of rain at the weekend Jan Shields was fortunate to see 'clouds of Banded Demoiselles' on the River Severn in Shrewsbury. A male (left) and female are shown here with the…
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May 23, 2017
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Azures finding a sunny spot…

Andy Beech has sent in this lovely shot of Azure Damselflies in cop near Shrewsbury. The photo clearly shows the coenagrion spur on the side of the thorax in the male and female and also the…
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May 22, 2017
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Eye-dentification tip…

Pardon the pun, but Jan Shields has sent in this lovely close up of a female Common Clubtail and it's the ideal opportunity to mention that this is the only species of dragonfly (as opposed…
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May 15, 2017
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Clubtail emerging

Having got sidetracked by Banded Demoiselles I forgot to post this fabulous picture taken by Andy Beech of a Clubtail emerging in Shrewsbury yesterday. I also saw an individual emerging and came face to face…
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May 14, 2017

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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