A visit to North Wales15-22.7.2006

15.7.06
The first site visited was in Denbighshire high up above the Dee valley at Moel-Fferna (SJ127399) just below the old slate quarry where a long boggy pool has formed against the tramway embankment. Here there were plenty of Large Red Damselfly with a couple of male Common Hawker hunting the margins. A nearby stream yielded two male Golden-ringed Dragonfly.

Male Orthetrum coerulescens Photo © David Kitching 2006


Female Orthetrum coerulescens Photo © David Kitching 2006

17.7.06
A very hot day on the mountains and high up above Beddgelert at Bwlch-y-Sygyn (SH601481) I found a muddy boggy pool where several Keeled Skimmer and a male Common Hawker were flying. Lower down in Cwm Bychan (SH599467) the stream widens into a boggy area with a number of pools. Here there were several Golden-ringed Dragonfly and Common Hawker and lots of Keeled Skimmer and Large Red Damselfly. Also seen here were Common Darter, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Emerald Damselfly.

Cwm Bychan boggy pools Photo © David Kitching 2006

18.7.06
Moving down almost to sea level near Black Rock Sands a couple of sites were visited. Glan-y-morfa-mawr lake (SH538376) had Emperor Dragonfly with plenty of Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Emerald Damselfly. The ponds at Ffynnon Ochr-cefn (SH531373) had Common Darter, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Emerald Damselfly.

Female Pyrrhosoma nymphula f.melanotum at Cwm Bychan Photo © David Kitching 2006

20.7.06
Up Cwm Pennant where the Afan Dwyfor at Beudy'r Ddol (SH540492) a male Golden-ringed Dragonfly was flying in the early morning. Higher up in Cwm Trwsgl (SH548494) the reservoir had several Large Red Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly and Golden-ringed Dragonfly. Also seen were two male and two female Common Hawker and a single teneral Common Darter.

Quarry reservoir at Cwm Trwsgl Photo © David Kitching 2006

Over the top of the hill at Bwlch-y-Ddwy-elor (SH556506) a pool had a single Common Hawker and Four-spotted Chaser with several Emerald Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly.

21.7.06
A small pond at Tyddyn-engan (SH538381) held a female Emperor Dragonfly and a few Emerald Damselfly.

Male Cordulegaster boltonii Photo © David Kitching 2006

During the morning at Llyn Du (SH563424) nine species were seen. These included lots of Common Darter,Keeled Skimmer, Four-spotted Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly and a single Black Darter. Damselflies were Large Red Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly and Emerald Damselfly. On a nearby stream at Ty-newydd (SH556424) there were plenty of Golden-ringed Dragonfly.

Tandem Orthetrum coerulescens Photo © David Kitching 2006


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.