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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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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
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A pair of Golden-Ringeds

Meurig Garbutt recently journeyed to Titterstone Clee Hill in search of the aptly named Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly. Unfortunately she had no luck in that department, but amongst the Blue-tailed, Common Blue and Large Red Damsels…
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July 7, 2014
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Catherton Common in full swing!

Gary Palmer and Rob Stokes both report visiting this area recently, Gary recording a good number of male and female Keeled Skimmers and pairs in cop. Gary's photo below clearly shows the antehumeral stripes on…
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July 7, 2014
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Four-spotted Chaser – form praenubila

A great shot below taken by Paul Hopwood at Whixall Moss on 3rd July. When four-spots have more extensive patches of black at the wing nodes and sometimes dark smudges of colour towards the end…
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July 7, 2014
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More Ruddy Darters

Paul Hopwood was also at Venus Pool yesterday and captured some fantastic shots of Ruddy Darter. Thought I'd put them on the blog firstly because they're great shots, but also because they show a more…
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July 2, 2014
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Ruddy Darters on the wing!

1st July and the first Ruddy Darter record received from Rob Stokes. This immature male specimen was seen at Venus Pool just south of Shrewsbury and the lovely photo below clearly shows the waisted abdomen. Zooming…
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July 1, 2014
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Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies on the wing!

Jason Kernohan has recorded Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies in the south of the county at Titterstone Clee Hill. This species has been recorded here before, but as the name suggests it is rare in Shropshire so…
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June 27, 2014

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

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