Total species recorded during the 2006 season is 24
|
Club-tailed Dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus) |
Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) |
31.8.06
A single male Migrant Hawker was feeding in the rain at Delamere Forest (55L SJ550720) at lunchtime.
30.8.06
A walk around Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) at lunchtime yielded three Brown Hawker, one Southern Hawker and several Migrant Hawker including a number of tandem pairs. Common Darter remain plentiful in sheltered places. Bernard Rose also recorded a pair of Southern Hawker at Neston (27Y SJ295776).
Male Southern Hawker at Newchurch Common 30.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
27.8.06
Andy Weir was at Rixton Claypits (69V SJ684901) today and recorded abundant Common Darter.
25.8.06
I returned to Oakenclough ponds (96P SJ958696) this morning as the sun was out for an hour or two. There were still plenty of Common Hawker flying and ovipositing along with many Black Darterand Emerald Damselfly. Meanwhile at Woolston Eyes (68P SJ652883) Andy Weir saw a male Southern Hawker flying.
Male Black Darter at Oakenclough 25.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
24.8.06
Bright sunshine but still fairly cool and there were plenty of Hawkers in the air at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690). I recorded all the species seen on 22nd plus Emerald Damselfly.
Male Brown Hawker at Newchurch Common 24.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
22.8.06
When the sun finally showed today at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) out came the dragonflies. There were lots of Migrant Hawker in the wooded clearings and along the lakeside and several Brown Hawker feeding and two females ovipositing. Also seen were single Southern Hawker and Black Darter with plenty of Common Darter and Common Blue Damselfly.
Female Migrant Hawker at Newchurch Common 22.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
16.8.06
Today at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) I began to see more Migrant Hawker with three males flying amongst the gorse and another on territory along the lakeside. There was also a single Southern Hawker and a late Red-eyed Damselfly sitting rather disconsolately on the floating vegetation.
14.8.06
After several cool windy days the weather improved at lunchtime today with the immediate appearance of Brown Hawker, Common Darter and a single teneral female Migrant Hawker at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690).
On a garden pond in Helsby (47X SJ482742) Adrian Morgan saw a female Southern Hawker.
Female Southern Hawker at Helsby 14.8.06.
Photo © Adrian Morgan 2006
A rather battered female Common Darter at Newchurch Common 9.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
11.8.06
Carol Cockbain reports a very battered female Emperor Dragonfly ovipositing in a garden pond at Hale (48R SJ465828). The amount of wing damage that these insects can sustain without losing flight is quite remarkable.
Female Emperor Dragonfly at Hale 11.8.06.
Photo © Carol Cockbain 2006
9.8.06
At Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) in strong winds it was a day to search the sheltered places. There were several Common Darter and Black Darter along with Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and Emerald Damselfly. No large hawkers were seen and I am beginning to wonder whether Brown Hawker and Migrant Hawker are particularly scarce this year as I have seen few of the former and only two of the latter so far.
Female Emerald Damselfly at Hatchmere 8.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
Male Variable Damselfly at Hatchmere 8.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
8.8.06
On calling at Hatchmere (55L SJ552721) there were still several Variable Damselfly. A couple of Migrant Hawker were seen at a nearby pond in Delamere Forest (55L SJ550720) along with lots of Black Darter and Emerald Damselfly along with a few Common Darter. Later, on the Macclesfield Canal at Scholar Green (85I SJ835569) I saw a male Banded Demoiselle heading northwards.
Male Common Hawker at Oakenclough 6.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
Female Common Hawker at Oakenclough 6.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
Tandem pair of Common Hawker at Oakenclough 6.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
6.8.06
At the Oakenclough ponds (96P SJ958696) the numbers of Common Hawker were higher than ever today with at least 25 males and 10 females seen. Emerald Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly were plentiful as were Black Darter and there were also several Common Darter.
Male Ruddy Darter at Paradise Farm 3.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
3.8.06
As the sun was shining again I went down to Paradise Farm (66K SJ645615) and Rosalie Farm (65P SJ644593) at lunchtime. There were absolutely masses of Ruddy Darter around with just a few Common Darter. Brown Hawker were ovipositing on both ponds and a few Emperor Dragonfly were also seen. Common Blue Damselfly were in good numbers with a few Emerald Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.
Male Common Darter Rosalie Farm 3.8.06.
Photo © David Kitching 2006
1.8.06
Not much about between the showers today at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) where I saw two or three Common Darter and a single Blue-tailed 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 2006 Sightings and News Received
May 2006 Sightings and News Received
June 2006 Sightings and News Received
July 2006 Sightings and News Received
August 2006 Sightings and News Received
September 2006 Sightings and News Received
October/November 2006 Sightings and News Received
© David Kitching 2006
Last updated 1.9.2006