Sightings and News for May 2004

 

30-5-04
Seven people turned out at Aldford (46A SJ416603) to search the banks of the Dee for Odonata. In pouring rain they found a single female Club-tailed Dragonfly and as the sun returned there were also Banded Demoiselle, Red-eyed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Azure Damselfly. In the afternoon at Churton (45I SJ430565) there were two male and an ovipositing female Hairy Dragonfly, and also plenty of Variable Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly and a few Four-spotted Chaser.

Male Variable Damselfly at Churton 30-5-04 Photo © David Kitching 2004


Female Variable Damselfly at Churton 30-5-04 Photo © David Kitching 2004

25-5-04
At Crewe Business Park (75H SJ723551) Paul S Hill found 2 male Broad-bodied Chaser whilst at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690), I found three more teneral insects of the same species including at least one female.

Male Broad-bodied Chaser at Crewe Business Park 25-5-04 Photo © Paul S Hill 2004

Female Broad-bodied Chaser at Newchurch Common 25-5-04 Photo © David Kitching 2004

Rob McHale found a further nine Beautiful Demoiselle on the Pettypool Brook (66J SJ620696) today.

Male Beautiful Demoiselle at Pettypool Brook 25-5-04 Photo © Rob McHale 2004

24.5.04
A visit to Delamere Forest (57L SJ550721) yielded three Hairy Dragonfly over the pond whilst at Hatchmere (57L SJ553722) there were plenty of Red-eyed Damselfly, Variable Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly. Four-spotted Chaser were emerging and a surprise was a male Downy Emerald on territory. This is the second record for this site in three years and it is to be hoped that it is breeding in the locality.

Rob McHale was out at Billinge Green Flash (67V SJ682713) and after diligent searching he found ovipositing Hairy Dragonfly, a few teneral Four-spotted Chaser and lots of Red-eyed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

23.5.04
Paul Precey went seeking the Beautiful Demoiselle on the Pettypool Brook. He found 2 males and a single female along with Blue-tailed Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly. At nearby New Pool (66J SJ626695) he found Red-eyed Damselfly.

Moving on to Aldford there were lots of Banded Demoiselle and also Hairy Dragonfly ovipositing in the Dee.

22.5.04
Again at Aldford, Tristan Reid found 3 Club-tailed Dragonfly, Hairy Dragonfly, lots of Banded Demoiselle and even more Red-eyed Damselfly. Meanwhile at Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ651751) Paul Hill found further Emperor Dragonfly emerging.

Male Club-tailed Dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus) at Aldford 22-5-04. Photo © Tristan Reid 2004

19.5.04
Neil Friswell checked the Dee at Aldford where he was rewarded with seeing two teneral male Club-tailed Dragonfly. Whilst at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) there were lots of Downy Emerald and Four-spotted Chaser flying, along with masses of damselflies.

Male Four-spotted Chaser at Newchurch Common 19-5-04 Photo © David Kitching 2004

18.5.04
From the Old River at Vale Royal (66P SJ642699) Peter Shaw reports a female Hairy Dragonfly flying today at lunchtime. Meanwhile at Thurstaston Common (28M SJ243848) Harry Davies saw both Four-spotted Chaser and Broad-bodied Chaser flying. Stu Burnett was also at Vale Royal today and reports 2 Hairy Dragonfly and 10 Red-eyed Damselfly.

17.5.04
A lunchtime trip to Newchurch Common yielded masses of teneral Red-eyed Damselfly along with Common Blue Damselfly. Dave Walters was on site later in the day and found six teneral Downy Emerald around the area.

Teneral male Downy Emerald at Newchurch Common 17-5-04 Photo © Dave Walters 2004

Neil Friswell visited Churton (45I SJ430565) where the marlpits produced good sightings as always, with Hairy Dragonfly ovipositing and a few Variable Damselfly. Also seen were Four-spotted Chaser, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and abundant Large Red Damselfly.

Male Red-eyed Damselfly at Newchurch Common 26-5-04. Photo © David Kitching 2004

16.5.05
On a pond by the Weaver close to Hartford Bridge (67K SK645710) Peter Shaw saw a single male Hairy Dragonfly on territory. Meanwhile Banded Demoiselle is reported from the Dee at Aldford (46A SJ410592) by Andy Harmer, and Gowy Meadows (47H SJ431740) by Stu Burnett. At the latter site there were also Large Red Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Azure Damselfly.

15-5-04
First Four-spotted Chaser of the season reported from Little Budworth Common (56Y SJ584661) by Dave Walters. The same species was emerging at Anderton Nature Park where Paul Hill also found Emperor Dragonfly emerging.

7.5.04
At Newchurch Common today there were plenty of Large Red Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly to be seen. Most of the former and all of the latter were teneral examples. Craig Higson also spotted Large Red Damselfly at the Fearnhead Pond (69F SJ634910).

3.5.04
Peter Shaw reports his first sighting of 2004 when he observed a single teneral Large Red Damselfly at Vale Royal (66P SJ642698) on the Weaver.

If you have made any Odonata observations in Cheshire and would like to share them with others or wish to take part in the recording scheme please email me.

April 2004 Sightings and News Received
June 2004 Sightings and News Received
July 2004 Sightings and News Received
August 2004 Sightings and News Received
September 2004 Sightings and News Received
October/November 2004 Sightings and News Received