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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 new species on the wing

More sunshine and a quick cycle out around Shrewsbury resulted in seeing Red-eyed Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly -both firsts for me this season. What's more I even managed to photograph the teneral Blue-tailed Damselfly seen…
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May 14, 2017
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Clubtails and Demoiselles…

The great thing about us all going looking for Clubtails is finding other species too. David Goodwin firstly spotted a Banded Demoiselle on 11th May near Melverley (whilst looking for Clubtails) followed by myself and…
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May 14, 2017
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Clubtails emerging in Shrewsbury!

Having heard it was worth checking for Common Clubtail I popped down to the River Severn in Shrewsbury this evening and was rewarded with 13 exuviae which was a great start. These were all found…
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May 11, 2017
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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

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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