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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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Metallic colours everywhere!

Jim Almond has sent in the photos of this years Downy Emerald at Mousecroft Pool. So far just a single male seen, but a stunning individual with a wonderful emerald coloration and downy thorax -even…
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May 26, 2023
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Downy Emerald at Mousecroft

Jim Almond has recorded Downy Emerald at Mousecroft Pool near Shrewsbury for the second year in a row! Jim's photograph is taken from last year at Mousecroft Pool when we all thought this would be…
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May 25, 2023
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Warm weather for White-legs…

Jim Almond has pictured a female teneral White-legged Damselfly at a private site near Shrewsbury and elsewhere they have been seen emerging from the River Severn. Like Clubtails they can be seen right in the…
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May 22, 2023
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Things warming up in Shropshire…

Jan Shields has managed to capture 3 damselflies in one photo over her pond in Hanwood, which just goes to show what a few days sunshine can do for a boost in numbers! Having had…
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May 18, 2023
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Common Blue Damselflies on the wing

Jim Almond has seen the first Common Blues at Mousecroft Pool near Shrewsbury. These 2 photos both show males: the former immature individual will gradually develop the blue coloration of the latter. Both show broad…
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May 17, 2023
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All happening at once!

Well after a very slow start it seems things are taking off with 5 more species on the wing! Starting yesterday Jim Almond visited a private site near Shrewsbury and saw a good number of…
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May 12, 2023
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First dragonflies on the wing…

We finally have the first few dragonfly records coming in with a Four-spotted Chaser being recorded on the regular transect at Whixall Moss on 3rd May and a male teneral Broad-bodied Chaser spotted by Jim…
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May 8, 2023
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Slowly but surely…

Very changeable spring weather seems to be delaying our early species. Jim Almond has seen the first Large Reds emerging from his  pond near Shrewsbury so gradually the season is getting underway. These photos all…
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May 1, 2023
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Shropshire flight season underway!

Stephen Barlow has been checking a few of his well known suntraps on Whixall Moss and spotted the first (and possibly second) Large Red Damselfly for 2023. The individual was a female (pictured here) which…
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April 18, 2023
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Easter surprise?

It may still be early April, but with sunshine in the forecast for this weekend remember to be on the hunt not just for Easter eggs but also for our first Shropshire dragons or damselflies…
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April 5, 2023
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Balmy November continues…

David Williams has sent in this photo of Common Darter dragonflies seen on 13th November at Prees Heath Common. He saw at least 4 and observed ovipositing as well as mating pairs. I was on…
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November 14, 2022
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All change…

So the warm temperatures have rolled on through October and as a result the dragonfly records have continued to roll in...most recently from John Martin seeing this Common Darter on 26th October at Whixall Moss.…
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November 1, 2022
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Make your sightings count…

As we approach the end of the flight season the weather remains mild for now and sightings are still coming in. Jan Shields recently photographed this fabulous Emerald Damselfly at The Bog, Stiperstones and on…
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October 6, 2022
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Autumn in the air…

It seems in the last few days that autumn is really in the air and reasonable numbers of records of late summer species are still coming in. Mike Averill has been recording upland species on…
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September 27, 2022
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Unmistakeable Southern Hawker..

If a large dragonfly flies right up towards you and hovers in front of you the chances are it is a Southern Hawker male. This species is known for it's 'lack of respect' for personal…
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September 5, 2022
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Dragons at The Bog

Geoff Hall has sent in some lovely photos of dragons from The Bog on the Stiperstones. There are some lovely pools there now (and cake close by!) so it's great for a dragonfly watching visit.…
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August 24, 2022
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Keeled Skimmers on the wing

Jan Shields has been up to Cramer Gutter where there were 'masses of Golden-ringeds' and good numbers of Keeled Skimmer. The Keeled Skimmer is a Shropshire rarity found only in a handful of locations, Cramer…
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August 15, 2022
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Scarce but a spectacular one to look out for…

I don't normally post photos taken beyond our Shropshire borders, but I had to post these. Any Warr has been enjoying a population of around a 1000 (!) Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies at a working sandpit at…
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August 10, 2022
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Always worth a second look…

Geoff Hall has sent in this rather battered old specimen of a Broad-bodied Chaser seen at The Bog near the Stiperstones. I was about to wax lyrical about the good sustained weather allowing this male…
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August 10, 2022

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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