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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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Late Record!

Thanks to Paul Spear who's still keeping an eye on things we have a really late Shropshire sighting of Common Darter - 4 to be precise! All seen yesterday (3rd Nov) at Venus Pools. 2…
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November 4, 2014
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Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
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October 23, 2014
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Late sightings

Good to hear from Warwick Davies who has been keeping an eye on the latecomers. Common Blue Damselfly seen (below) along with Southern Hawker at a newly built scrape near Edgerley on 7th September.Warwick's own…
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October 13, 2014
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The flight season continues…

Despite a few autumnal mornings creeping in a good few species are still being recorded. Paul Hopwood reports seeing a number of Common Darters and hawkers at Venus Pool today and at Mousecroft Pool in…
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September 22, 2014
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The sun shines on….

After an amazing week of sunshine it's great to return to a good number of Shropshire records still coming in. I saw a grand total of 1 hawker dragonfly last week flying between tiny remote islands…
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September 15, 2014
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Migrant Hawkers out in good numbers

After a week away surrounded by seagulls not dragonflies it's great to hear from Rob Stokes that a good number of dragonflies are still on the wing. Rob took these fabulous photos of Migrant Hawkers…
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September 1, 2014
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Upland species still out in force

This Tuesday I was out 'Discovering Dragonflies' for the National Trust with 14 enthusiasts all dodging showers at Wildmoor Pool. Many of the late summer species were out in force including the stunning yet small Black…
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August 21, 2014
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Summer weather showing signs of normality!

Well we can hardly complain about the weather this summer, but as showers increase and winds pick up the dragonflies are still battling on and many seem to be having an impressively long season. Banded…
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August 18, 2014
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16 species in one day!

Just before the remains of hurricane Bertha arrived, a sunny Saturday allowed myself, Ian Cheeseborough and 10 course participants to enjoy 16 species on the wing! Running a dragonfly and damselfly course for the Field…
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August 11, 2014
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Migrant Hawkers on the wing!

A smattering of Migrant Hawker sightings- firstly (to my knowledge) seen on 3rd August by Richard Comont up at Shawbury Heath and then photographed by Sue Loose on 10th August though unfortunately loitering just over…
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August 11, 2014
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Ruddy Darter at Brown Moss

Jonathan Groom was up at Brown Moss near Whitchurch on 7th August enjoying numerous Brown Hawkers on the wing as well as Ruddy Darter, Common Blue Damselfly and a relatively late Azure Damselfly. Jay Mitchell…
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August 11, 2014
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Basking Skimmers

Not just people soaking up this incredible summer, but Black-tailed Skimmers also doing a spot of sun bathing. This species is well known for basking on bare ground and this specimen was spotted by Gwyn…
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August 8, 2014
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Common Hawker passing by…

I'm always amazed when people can capture these insects on the wing- just as Rob Stokes has photographed this male near Clun. When I first observed Common Hawkers I could barely get a glimpse of…
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July 28, 2014
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Keep an eye on the borders…

Rob Edwards has been enjoying Emperors, Brown Hawkers and Golden-ringed Dragonflies at Wildmoor Pool alongside Common Blue, Azure and Emerald Damsels. He also brought my attention to the fact that Worcestershire are reporting 'a definite increase…
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July 25, 2014
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Flying High in the Great British summer!

Some amazing weather enabling some great dragonfly recording including Paul Hope spotting 11 species at Walford Pool including Red-eyed Damselfly, Black-tailed Skimmer and Ruddy Darter. Meurig Garbutt has also taken up the challenge of in…
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July 25, 2014
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Emperor in flight

Well I casually threw down the gauntlet and Lee Wilkinson has sent in this great shot- sadly in his words a Wrexhamite not a Salopian, but still a fabulous photo- thank you!!
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July 17, 2014
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Dragonfly recorders feeding mosquitoes!

Lee Wilkinson reports a great visit to Whixall on Tuesday where he saw lots of Four-spotted Chasers, Black Darters, Emerald Damsels and Common Darters as shown below. He also saw a Raft Spider and ovipositing…
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July 17, 2014
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Spot of lunch anyone?

Catherine Wenman (not a wasp fan!) has been enjoying the spectacle of a Golden Ringed Dragonfly doing lunch in Church Stretton -so much so in fact she has declared the dragonfly 'her hero!'Personally having seen…
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July 15, 2014
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Hundreds of Emeralds at Whixall!

Barrie Smith has been keeping an eye on Whixall this week and reports 100's of Emeralds which must look fantastic! A male is shown below with his wings held typically at 45 degrees- a trait…
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July 11, 2014

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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