Total species recorded during the 2004 season is 23
|
Club-tailed Dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus) |
Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) |
female Migrant Hawker at Newchurch Common 24-9-04. Photo © David Kitching 2004
23.9.04
In spite of the several previous wet and windy days Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) was alive with dragonflies as soon as the sun came out. Two Brown Hawker were flying along with plenty of Migrant Hawker and Common Darter. A few Common Blue Damselfly were also still around.
male Common Blue Damselfly at Newchurch Common 17-9-04. Photo © David Kitching 2004
15.9.04
Colin Davies was at Appleton Reservoir (68C SJ602841) today and recorded six male and one female Migrant Hawker, two Brown Hawker and a single male Southern Hawker. Also seen were several Common Darter.
Newchurch Common yielded lots of Migrant Hawker with the females feeding high in the alder trees. Several Brown Hawker were observed amidst the plentiful Common Darter. Common Blue Damselfly continued to be present in large numbers, including a few tandem pairs.
female Common Darter at Newchurch Common 9-9-04. Photo © David Kitching 2004
9-9-04
Additional species seen at Newchurch Common today were Black Darter, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Emerald Damselfly.
male Common Darter at Newchurch Common 8-9-04. Photo © David Kitching 2004
8.9.04
The last two days at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) have seen more dragonflies on the wing than at any other time this summer. The Migrant Hawkers have finally appeared in very large numbers and seem to be absolutely everywhere, with the reedmace full of tandem pairs or ovipositing females. This is about a month later than last year. I also made the latest ever Red-eyed Damselfly record for Cheshire. Very large numbers of Common Darter also about at the moment.
male Red-eyed Damselfly at Newchurch Common 8-9-04. Photo © David Kitching 2004
6.9.04
Today at Newchurch Common the large numbers of Migrant Hawker were supplemented by several Southern Hawker and Brown Hawker along with Common Darter and Common Blue Damselfly.
male Migrant Hawker at Newchurch Common 6-9-04. Photo © David Kitching 2004
3.9.04
A good lunchtime walk at Newchurch Common resulted in masses of Migrant Hawker being seen. Whilst photographing a tandem pair on the gorse I was treated to a further male landing on my head!
tandem Migrant Hawker at Newchurch Common 3-9-04. Photo © David Kitching 2004
2.9.04
Mike Ashworth was at Moore Nature Reserve (58Y SJ592681) today. There were plenty of dragonflies on show, with Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker and Southern Hawker, along with lots of Common Darter. Also represented were Common Blue Damselfly.
At Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ651752), Paul Hill recorded late examples of Emperor Dragonfly and Black-tailed Skimmer. There were also Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly. Several Common Darter were observed emerging.
Appleton Reservoir (68C SJ602842) was where Colin Davies saw Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker and Common Darter.
1.9.04
A visit to Rivacre Valley at Ellesmere Port (37Y SJ384778) yielded sightings of lots of Migrant Hawker and several Common Darter. Earlier at Newchurch Common only a few Migrant Hawker were flying. Brown Hawker were abundant as were Common Darter and also several Common Blue Damselfly.
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
May 2004 Sightings and News Received
June 2004 Sightings and News Received
July 2004 Sightings and News Received
August 2004 Sightings and News Received
October/November 2004 Sightings and News Received
© David Kitching 2004
Last updated 13.10.2004