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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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Hairy Dragonfly almost in Shropshire…

Stephen Barlow has seen a number of Hairy Dragonflies at Marbury Big Mere - just outside Whitchurch, but over the border in Cheshire. Stephen's photo illustrates the broad yet tapering antehumeral (shoulder) stripes of the…
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May 14, 2025
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A time of plenty…

Numbers of dragons and damselflies are building with all this hot weather, and with them come the predators! Ron Kinrade  has been viewing blackbirds taking their share (left) on his pond in Hemford though some…
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May 14, 2025
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Great weather for Demoiselles…

Some of you are heading to the River Severn in Shrewsbury in search of Clubtails and also finding good numbers of Banded Demoiselles. Jan Shields has sent in this male (left) illustrating the dark band…
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May 13, 2025
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The hour of the Clubtail…

I'm always amazed how some species can emerge on mass at a similar time. On the same day Stephen Barlow was viewing Clubtails in Shrewsbury Paul Roughley was photographing emergents and exuviae much further upstream…
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May 7, 2025
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Clubtails emerging in Shrewsbury…

Common Clubtails were reportedly seen yesterday emerging from the River Severn in Shrewsbury and today Stephen Barlow has sent in this photo of an individual emerging. You can clearly see the old tracheal linings as…
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May 6, 2025
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Cooler temperatures slowing things down?

I had thought there would be a flurry of activity over this weekend but I think the cooler temperatures have really held things back a little and I still have no dragonflies emerging from my…
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May 5, 2025
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Large Reds just emerging on higher ground

Paul Thomas has sent in some lovely photos of Large Red Damselflies on Brown Clee Hill where the higher altitude means things are only just getting underway. The photo (left) shows the exuviae beneath the…
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May 2, 2025
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3 more species on the wing!

It's going to be a busy week! Yesterday Tim Walter sent in the first records for  Blue-tailed Damselfly (left) and Azure Damselfly (below left) both seen at Pam's Pools near Bridgnorth. Beautiful Demoiselle was also…
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April 29, 2025
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Broad-bodied Chaser on the wing…

Hopefully I'll post the evidence of Broad-bodied Chaser shortly -seen in Minsterly on 27th April which is the second earliest sighting ever of this species in Shropshire! In the meantime Stephen Barlow has photographed 1…
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April 28, 2025
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Signs of life on Whixall Moss…

Stephen Barlow has sent in the first records this year of White-faced Darters and an 'in-flight' Four-spotted Chaser at Whixall Moss. He photographed this emergent White-faced Darter (left) and one other low down in the…
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April 25, 2025
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Very early Common Blue Damselfly…

As temperatures dropped and rain fell the dragonfly season it seems was put largely on hold until yesterday when a flurry of Large Red Damselfly records came in and this photograph taken by Tim Walter…
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April 23, 2025
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Flight season starts with a record!

I was fairly sure the minute I left Shropshire for a holiday the flight season would start! On 5th April Stephen Barlow recorded this Large Red Damselfly (left) at Whixall Moss. This is a Shropshire…
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April 14, 2025
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Sunshine in the forecast…

Still only 31st March, but sitting with a glass of wine in the garden yesterday things felt very summery! As this fair weather spell continues keep your eyes open for the first Large Red Damselflies…
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March 31, 2025
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Still on the wing…

Stephen Barlow has sent in this fairly well camouflaged female Common Darter seen basking at Whixall Moss on October 26th. Stephen reported 'moderate numbers' of dragonflies still being present including Black Darters (below left) and…
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November 4, 2024
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A flutter of activity…

It seems Monday 7th October brought a flurry of later records. Common Darters and Migrant  Hawkers were seen at Dudmaston and Colemere and some of our acidic pool specialists were spotted elsewhere; Stephen Barlow photographed…
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October 9, 2024
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Between the downpours…

It's raining again and hard to see how our dragonflies will persist for long if autumn continues like this! In between showers Julian Cartwright saw good numbers of Black Darter (left) on Magpie Hill near…
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September 26, 2024
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Beautiful Black Darter…

Geoff Hall has sent in these beautiful photos of Black Darter taken at Pole Cottage on the Long Mynd. This acidic pool specialist is the smallest dragonfly species in the uk as well as being…
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August 28, 2024
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Black Darter back at Dolgoch Quarry…

For the second time this year Black Darter has been recorded in what were thought to be 'one-off' 2023 locations; firstly at Prees Heath and now Stephen Kill has sent in this photo of a…
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August 21, 2024
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It’s behind you…

Jan Shields has been enjoying the Keeled Skimmers at Cramer Gutter and sent in this amazing photo of a Common Lizard lurking behind a male...and incredibly not eating it! I often find you can get…
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August 19, 2024
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Small Red-eyed Damselflies on the wing…

Geoff Hall has sent in these great photos of Small Red-eyed Damselflies at their regular location of Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms. They are probably present in many more locations than have been…
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August 8, 2024

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

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