October/November Sightings and News

Total species recorded during the 2006 season is 24

Last one of the year? Male Common Darter at Newchurch Common 13.11.06.
The insect was whirring its wings to warm up. Photo © David Kitching 2006

13.11.06
After a dull and damp start the day brightened for a while at lunchtime and with the sun at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) came first a single male Common Darter flying rather tentatively and then a tandem pair began ovipositing for a brief spell. It is still very warm for the time of year and reached 57F today.

Male Common Darter on a sunny fence at Mobberley 7.11.06. Photo © Bryan Roberts 2006

7.11.06
After a really cold start the afternoon warmed a little and Bryan Roberts recorded single Common Darter at Stock-in-Hey (78W SJ797823), Lady Lane, Mobberley (78V SJ793813) and by the River Bollin (88G SJ809827). A single insect was also seen flying at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690).

6.11.06
The November dragonflies continued to fly on a bright sunny afternoon. Barry Shaw reports two Common Darter flying on a pond at Stock-in-Hey (88B SJ800826) whilst Peter Shaw saw two more at Vale Royal (67K SJ645709). Meanwhile at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) at least ten individuals were observed including a tandem pair.

4.11.06
Andy Weir saw a single Common Darter today at Woolston Eyes (68PM SJ652883).

3.11.06
After another frosty night Bryan Roberts reports a single Common Darter flying at Stock-in-Hey (78W SJ797823) adjacent to the runway in Mobberley.

2.11.06
Much colder today and only single male Common Darter at Newbridge Pool (66P SJ653686) and also at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690).

A somewhat battered male Migrant Hawker in the sunshine at Newbridge 1.11.06. Photo © David Kitching 2006

1.11.06
At Saltersley Moss (88F SJ822809) this afternoon Barry Shaw saw a couple of Common Darter and a single Black Darter. Other November records come from Newbridge Pool (66P SJ653686) where the number of November Migrant Hawker records increased by 300% when three were seen flying. There were also lots of Common Darter including at least two pairs ovipositing. The air temperature was only 48 degrees Fahrenheit but there was plenty of sun and little wind.

A female Common Darter at Newbridge 1.11.06. Photo © David Kitching 2006

30.10.06
Peter Shaw reports several Common Darter flying on the River Weaver at Vale Royal (67K SJ645709) in temperatures reaching 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Just upriver at Newbridge Pool (66P SJ653686) there were still plenty of Common Darter including ovipositing pairs. Nearby were several Migrant Hawker including a pair in cop.

29.10.06
At Woolston Eyes (68PM SJ652883) Andy Weir saw five Common Darter today.

26.10.06
Newbridge Pool (66P SJ653686) at lunchtime yielded masses of Common Darter and four Migrant Hawker including a copulating pair.

A pair of Common Darter in the brief sunshine at Newchurch Common 24.10.06. Photo © David Kitching 2006

24.10.06
Today at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) I experienced one of those magical moments that dragonflies can create. After a long cool, dull spell where nothing was flying, or even visible, a window opened in the cloud and bright sunshine bathed the area. Within seconds the air was full of Common Darters and soon there were tandem pairs busily ovipositing in the lake all around the margin. This was followed by the appearance of two male Migrant Hawkers with really bright blue colours shining in the sun as they sought insects around the gorse bushes. Twenty minutes later the sun went behind the clouds and the dragonflies vanished as quickly as they had appeared earlier. It was remarkable just how many Darters are still around and how difficult they were to spot when not active.

23.10.06
Just a single male Common Darter flying today at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690).

Fresh exuviae on a Waterlily in the Palms Oasis at Stapeley Water Gardens 22.10.06. Photo © R Bradshaw 2006

22.10.06
A pair of Common Darter were seen by Andy Weir at Woolston Eyes (68PM SJ652883). Meanwhile at Stapeley Water Gardens (65Q SJ666513) there was still at least on Blue-tailed Damselfly to be seen, reports Bob Bradshaw. There has been recent emergence from the heated indoor pond in the Palms Oasis and it appears that the warm water has significantly extended the season for this species. Several insects have been seen both inside and outside the building during October.

Teneral Blue-tailed Damselfly at Stapeley Water Gardens 22.10.06. Photo © R Bradshaw 2006

21.10.06
Three male Common Darter from the garden centre pool display area at Stapeley Water Gardens (65Q SJ666513) are reported by Bob Bradshaw.

20.10.06
On a visit to the Weaver Parkway (66N SJ657679) there were several Common Darter flying amongst the scrub and bushes.

Barry Shaw went to Saltersley Moss (88F SJ822805) where he found three Common Darter and a single Southern Hawker.

16.10.06
A couple of male Common Darter were seen at Risley Moss (69Q SJ666918) by Dave Walker whilst three males and a female were also flying at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690). One of the males was notable from having different coloured eyes with the right one being almost black.

Male Common Darter with odd coloured eyes at Newchurch Common 16.10.06. Photo © David Kitching 2006

15.10.06
Close to the airport at Lady Lane (78V SJ793813) Bryan Roberts observed a single male Common Darter.

11.10.06
Today at Moore Nature Reserve (58S SJ575855) Tony Parker found a single Brown Hawker flying.

Female Migrant Hawker at Newchurch Common 3.10.06. Photo © David Kitching 2006

3.10.06
Although temperatures were low and the weather damp and blustery, a brief sunny spell saw several Common Darter flying at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) in a sheltered field corner. There were also four male Migrant Hawker flying. On return to the car I found a single female Migrant Hawker resting in the gorse in a location that was just too far away to get macro photographs withou tearing myself to pieces on the spines of the bushes.

A rather faded male Common Darter at Newchurch Common 3.10.06. Photo © David Kitching 2006

1.10.06
Today at Stapeley Water Gardens (65Q SJ666513) Bob Bradshaw saw a few Common Darter ovipositing and a very late female 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.

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