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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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Four-spotted Chaser form praenubila

Just an update to the last post- here is L.Wilkinson's lovely shot of the Four-spotted Chaser form praenubila. The angle shows really clearly the extra dark pigment on the wings in addition to the four…
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June 7, 2016
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On the wing at Whixall…

Many of you have been in touch with sightings at Whixall Moss of Large Red and Azure Damselflies, Banded Demoiselles, White-faced Darters and Four-spotted Chasers -seen here in this great photo from P. Spear. L.…
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June 5, 2016
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White-legged Damselfly on the wing

D. Williams reports White-legged Damselflies on the wing at Hampton Loade. 5 tenerals were seen on 28th May including the immature female shown here referred to as form lactea.On the same visit David was also lucky enough to see…
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June 5, 2016
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Common Clubtail Update

The great news is that the increased effort being made by people looking for Clubtails is really getting results. Starting with a few individual sightings at Atcham by R.Stokes and Hampton Loade by D.Williams (seen…
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June 5, 2016
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Clubtails definitely on the wing

Common Clubtails are now being seen in greater numbers and at more locations such as Atcham and Coalbrookdale. This species tends to emerge on mass so now is definitely the time to keep an eye…
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May 26, 2016
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Beautiful Demoiselles on the wing

Beautiful Demoiselles have been spotted on the Rea Brook at Shrewsbury by J.Groom- not in any convincing numbers, but hopefully in a few weeks more of these spectacular insects will be out and about living…
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May 20, 2016
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First Common Clubtails spotted!

No photos yet, but apparently Clubtails have been seen recently emerged near Eardington (south of Bridgnorth). This species tends to emerge on mass so the next couple of weeks will be the best time to…
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May 18, 2016
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All action at Whixall and first demoiselles

The first of the fabulous demoiselles was spotted at Whixall Moss last saturday by J. Shields. The metallic green female Banded Demoiselle is shown here.P.Spear also visited Whixall on Monday and took some fabulous emergence shots…
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May 17, 2016
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Blue-tailed Damselflies on the wing

More sunshine dragged me away from the computer this afternoon and though sightings were far from numerous I did see my first Blue-tailed Damselflies for this year at Mousecroft Pool in Shrewsbury. Many had recently emerged…
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May 16, 2016
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Red-veined Darters on Welsh Coast

Photo © D.Marquina-Reyes Just had a report that Red-veined Darters have been spotted by Steve Stansfield the Warden at the Bardsey Island bird observatory. This means that we may see this rare migrant again in…
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May 16, 2016
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Flight season springs into action!

A fabulous weekend of sunshine has finally resulted in a bit more activity! I cycled to a number of sites on Saturday only to be rewarded with a smattering of Large Red and Azure Damselflies and then finally…
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May 16, 2016
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Azure Damselflies on the wing

It seems things have been slow to get going this season, but I'm glad to report J.Shields has seen Azure Damselfly emerging from her pond in Hanwood. This female clearly shows the narrow antehumeral stripes and the…
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May 13, 2016
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British Dragonfly Society Complete Lists

The BDS are encouraging people to make Complete Lists of species at sites as this allows them to do more robust data analysis on the records you collect. At the simplest level this means noting…
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May 5, 2016
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It’s good to have a hobby…

And here's one (of 3) spotted by S. Barlow yesterday on Whixall Moss. No confirmed sightings of dragons or damsels from Whixall yet but if you look closely at the pics there's certainly a large…
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May 4, 2016
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Get involved in Shropshire Clubtail Survey 2016

Here in Shropshire we are lucky to have the Common Clubtail breeding on the River Severn. This photo of the male taken by D.Williams last year illustrates clearly why this species is so named. Catergorised as Near…
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April 26, 2016
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Large Red Damselflies on the wing!

Admittedly not the most impressive pictures, but I thought if I was declaring the start of the flight season I had better prove it! A good number of teneral Large Red Damselflies were seen today…
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April 23, 2016
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Spring has sprung!

Welcome to the 'new-look' Shropshire Dragonfly Watch blog. April is nearly upon us and this should bring the first sightings of Large Red Damselfly. This is usually towards the end of April, but if the…
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March 28, 2016
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The last record?….

Well maybe? S. Barlow was at Brown Moss on Friday 20th November and saw a male Common Darter- and hover flies and wasps and a butterfly- all fairly extraordinary for November! It's my guess that…
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November 23, 2015
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Darters at Whixall

Well incredibly with only 5 1/2 weeks till Xmas we have darters on the wing at Whixall! S. Barlow was there yesterday (16th Nov) and not only saw 3 darters, but far from being worn…
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November 17, 2015
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Common Darter hanging on….

Another late record -this time a Common Darter seen by P. Spear near Coalbrookdale yesterday -15th November! It's still relatively mild albeit soggy, but there's definitely the chance of later sightings....
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November 16, 2015
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Hawkers still on the wing!!

Well one anyway! Reported in today Nov 12th by J. Cresswell - a hawker seen flying in Ironbridge. Migrant Hawker appears to be the most likely suspect based on observations and at first glance there…
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November 12, 2015

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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