Sightings and News for July 2003

30.7.03
At lunchtime today there were abundant Black Darter flying at Blakemere Moss (57K SJ545713). Many teneral adults were present along with a couple of Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

Teneral male Black Darter at Blakemere Moss 30-7-03. Photo © David Kitching 2003

Female Black Darter at Blakemere Moss 30-7-03. Photo © David Kitching 2003

28.7.03
Migrant Hawker were flying at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) where a number very teneral adults were seen along with a slightly more mature male feeding around the brambles and gorse. Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Common Darter and Black Darter were also seen.

Teneral male Migrant Hawker at Newchurch Common 28-7-03. Photo © David Kitching 2003

22.7.03
Seen by the larger lake at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) were single Common Hawker and Southern Hawker with several Brown Hawker and teneral Common Darter. amseflies present were a single male Emerald Damselfly and plenty of Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

16.7.03
Lunchtime at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) where Emperor Dragonfly, Brown Hawker and Southern Hawker were all flying. It was noticeable that the two male Southern Hawker were both flying in shady areas amongst the trees whilst the other species were out in the strong, hot sunshine. Onthe surrounding meadows both Common Darter and Black Darter were seen.

15.7.03
Tony Parker was out and about around the Runcorn area today and at Oxmoor Local Nature Reserve (58M SJ559841) he saw Brown Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chaser, Common Darter and Emerald Damselfly.

14.7.03
A very late pair of male Hairy D ragonfly were flying on the old river at Vale Royal (66P SJ642698) today reports Peter Shaw. This is the latest ever record for this species.

13.7.03
Tony Parker reports Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer and Common Darter at Mill Brook Pool, Moore Nature Reserve (58Y SJ592861).

12.7.03
At Little Budworth Common (56Y SJ 584661) today Dave Walters saw the first Common Hawker of the year along with a single male Southern Hawker. Meanwhile at Wigg Island Community Park (58H SJ535845) Tony Parker saw three Brown Hawker, one Southern Hawker and a single Common Darter over the Ship Canal.

11.7.03
First sighting of Ruddy Darter for 2003 came from Vale Royal (66P SJ642698) where Peter Shaw photographed a teneral male.

Teneral male Ruddy Darter at Vale Royal 11-7-03. Photo © Peter Shaw 2003

10.7.03
Harry Davies visited the Pettypool Stream (66J SJ620696) and recorded a male Beautiful Demoiselle. This sandy bottomed stream seems to provide ideal conditions for a species which is scarce in Cheshire.

Male Beautiful Demoiselle close to Petty Pool 10-7-03. Photo © Harry Davies 2003

8.7.03
Peter Shaw found a late Hairy Dragonfly today at the pond close to Hartford Bridge (67K SJ646710).

Teneral female Black Darter at Newchurch Common 8-7-03. Photo © David Kitching 2003

7.7.03
At Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) the first Black Darter of the season were seen. Also present were plenty of teneral Emerald Damselfly and a couple of Brown Hawker. Meanwhile Wilbur Wright was close to the Gowy at Beeston (56F SJ524600) and recorded a couple of male Banded Demoiselle.