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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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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
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Autumn activity

Still a few records coming in so if weather and time permit it's worth keeping an eye out for our later species. Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum have been seen recently by J.Groom at Devil's Dingle near…
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October 22, 2015
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October records

Good to report late sightings of a number of species. P. Spear was back at Eardington NR on 2nd October and saw: Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans Common Hawker Aeshna cyanea (with fabulous view of yellow costa)…
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October 15, 2015
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Late Bulletin

Have just returned from a trip away and catching up with records it's good to see some species were flying well into September. P. Spear has been at Eardington Nature Reserve on 24th September and got…
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October 14, 2015
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Migrant Hawker….just about!

I would like to report Migrant Hawker on the wing, but it's not entirely true. P.Roberts has reported seeing the specimen below (near Woore) being eaten by a wasp.Fortunately the wasp attacked the head and…
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August 21, 2015
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Missing the sunshine!

 Just a couple of great photos to brighten a soggy Friday! This ovipositing female Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis was observed by P. Spear at Dudmaston Pools along with Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies and Common…
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August 14, 2015
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Dramatic Scenes!

This is definitely a Shropshire based blog, but by accident I was sent a record from northern France by Steve Davenport and thought it was definitely worth sharing. Steve observed an Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator…
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August 12, 2015
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Species to look out for…..

Just to mention Small Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum -as yet unrecorded in Shropshire, but recorded in neighbouring counties. We are now in the flight period for this species so please do look carefully at any…
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August 10, 2015
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Dodging the showers….

It's certainly not been stable weather of late, but many of you are persevering and in between showers and cold spells are seeing some lovely dragons and damsels:S. Loose photographed this fabulous Brown Hawker Aeshna…
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August 10, 2015
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Darting around Whixall Moss…

P. Spear has been enjoying the later summer darters at Whixall Moss and has sent in some great photos: This female Black Darter Sympetrum danae is clearly showing the characteristic yellow splash pattern on the side…
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July 27, 2015
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Shropshire dragonfly course with sunshine!

Usually when I plan dragonfly teaching events there's every chance of cloud and rain, but last weekend we were lucky and the FSC course at Preston Montford witnessed 17 species! Katherine Gee has sent in…
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July 21, 2015
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The hour of the Southern Hawker

It definitely seems to be the time to catch these fantastic insects emerging from garden ponds and is certainly the best chance of getting a photo- when they're relatively still! Lots of records received in the last…
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July 17, 2015
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Just an after thought…

If you want to compare the face of Ruddy Darter below with Common Darter- the top photograph on this blog is a Common Darter!
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July 14, 2015
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Ruddy Darters at last!

P. Spear has been enjoying the dragonflies at Venus Pools and has sent in the first great photo this year of Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum.  Enlarging the photo here makes the frons side line visible- this…
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July 14, 2015
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8 species at Dearnford Lake

S. Barlow has been out and about at Dearnford Lake near Whitchurch and recorded 8 species on the wing. This is good to hear as apart from Whixall Moss there haven't been may species rich…
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July 10, 2015
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Those Southern Hawkers!

Whenever slightly 'different things' occur it seems to be Southern Hawkers in the middle of it! P.Roberts has been in touch reporting this species emerging under his garage window some distance from the pond.......and M.Randall…
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July 10, 2015
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A selection of great photos!

J.Almond has sent in some lovely photos of his sightings reported recently on the blog.A female Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii ovipositing on Catherton Common. This species has a fairly distinctive ovipositing motion, almost appearing to be bouncing…
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July 8, 2015
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A bumper year for White-legged Damselfly?

More reports of White-legged Damselflies Platycnemis pennipes seen in noticeably large numbers- this time by D.Williams on the River Severn near Hampton Loade. This year appearing to outnumber the Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens population. David's photo…
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July 6, 2015

Species recorded in 2026…

None yet…

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