Sightings and News for May 2003

31.5.03
The first adult Emperor Dragonfly of the year was seen flying at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) this morning by Richard Hardcastle. He also saw Four-spotted Chaser and Downy Emerald at Gull Pool (66E SJ602687). Meanwhile Stu Burnet was down on the Weaver at Batherton Hall (64U SJ660497) where he found a few Beautiful Demoiselle flying amidst abundant Banded Demoiselle.

30.5.3
Andy Harmer sends good news from Gull Pool (66E SJ602687) where he found a newly emerged male White-faced Darter. It appears that the species is hanging on in Cheshire.

29.5.03
From a pond by the River Weaver close to Hartford Bridge (67K SJ646710) Peter Shaw saw a mature male Broad-bodied Chaser which was too active to be photographed.

28.5.03
The fifteenth species for the month comes from Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ651751) where Paul Hill found 9 Emperor Dragonfly exuviae this morning. Paul also reports 3 Common Darter on the wing at the same site. At Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) several Downy Emerald and lots of Red-eyed Damselfly were seen. The numbers of this latter species seem particularly high this year.

27.5.03
Exciting news today with Allan Brandon's discovery of a new site for Variable Damselfly at Barton (45M SJ456541) which is some way from the nearest known site and where this species has not been recorded before in spite of regular visits. Could it be that the adults seen here had migrated over several kilometres? Also present were Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly and Four-spotted Chaser.

Dave Walters reports further Hairy Dragonfly along with hundreds of Red-eyed Damselfly at Vale Royal (66P SJ642698). Meanwhile from Thurstaston Common (28M SJ243848) Harry Davies reports lots of Large Red Damselfly and also Four-spotted Chaser ovipositing.

26.5.03
The annual visit to the Dee saw Paul Hill, Richard Gabb, Mike Robinson, Paul Derbyshire and myself walking the banks in the Aldford area (46A SJ418600). We were finally rewarded with a fine view of a teneral female Club-tailed Dragonfly after diligent searching. Also seen in the area were Banded Demoiselle, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly. Gail Butterill found Club-tailed Dragonfly exuviae at Farndon (45C SJ412543).

Female Club-tailed Dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus) at Aldford 26-5-03. Photo © David Kitching 2003

Later we visited the marlpits at Churton (45I SJ430565) where we saw several Variable Damselfly and three Hairy Dragonfly including a pair in cop.

Peter Shaw reports that Hairy Dragonfly is also now flying on the old river at Vale Royal (66P SJ642698) along with Red-eyed Damselfly. Whilst Andy Harmer found a teneral Broad-bodied Chaser at Rocksavage (58A SJ519802). At Moore Reserve (58X SJ573853) Rob McHale and family found a couple of Four-spotted Chaser, a single Emerald Damselfly and a few Azure Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly.

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) at Churton 26-5-03. Photo © Paul Derbyshire 2003

25.5.03
Paul Hill was surprised to find all four wings of a Common Darter in an amphibian trap at Neumanns Flash (67S SJ665752) today. Sadly the rest of the insect was nowhere to be seen, indicating that something had enjoyed a good meal.

24.5.03
Club-tailed Dragonfly and Hairy Dragonfly were both seen by Andy Harmer on the Dee at Aldford (46A SJ418600) today. Also present were abundant Banded Demoiselle.

Richard Hargreaves visited Billinge Green Flash (67V SJ682713) and found only damselflies and an unidentified Chaser exuvia. Present were
Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Red-eyed Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly.

20.5.03
In spite of the wind and rain I was able to photograph a teneral female Red-eyed Damselfly at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) today.

Teneral female Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas) at Newchurch Common 20-5-03
Photo © David Kitching 2003

19.5.03
Meanwhile Richard Hargreaves reports a single Emerald Damselfly from a site in Lymm (68Y SJ6987).

16.5.03
The first Red-eyed Damselfly of the season were seen at Hatchmere (57L SJ553722) when Andy Harmer found four tenerals.

14.5.03
Dave Walters visited Billinge Green Flash (67V SJ682713) where he found Blue-tailed Damselfly and Azure Damselfly flying. Later at Vale Royal (67K SJ640705) there were both these species plus Common Blue Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly. Alan Brandon visted a pond at Barton (45M SJ456541) where several Blue-tailed Damselfly and a few Azure Damselfly were flying.