Total species recorded during the 2003 season is 24
|
Club-tailed Dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus) |
Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) |
26-9-03
The female Migrant Hawker have proved elusive this year and my
sightings have tended to be of distant flyers or perched high in trees.
This afternoon at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) I finally managed
to capture a couple of photos as there were several females flying in
the sheltered meadow areas.Even then they were very wary and tended to
settle deep into the grass where they were very well camouflaged.
Female Migrant Hawker blending into the background 26-9-03
Photo © David Kitching 2003
25.9.03
A male Southern Hawker was flying on the Wirral Way at Willaston
(37L SJ346773) this afternoon.
23.9.03
Today at the Handforth ponds (88R SJ870835) Stu Burnet found the
hawker numbers much reduced but an increase in the numbers of Common
Darter and also four Black Darter.
In the sheltered spots at Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ651751) there were masses of Common Darter flying and basking whilst several Migrant Hawker were also seen. The same was true at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) with a single Brown Hawker adding variety. At one point whilst photographing I had three female Common Darters landed on my arms at the same time.
Female Common Darter landed on my arm Photo © David
Kitching 2003
16.9.03
Today at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) I was rewarded with a
close look at a male Southern Hawker. There were also several Common
Blue Damselfly flying.
Stu Burnet reports plenty of Common Hawker, Migrant Hawker
and Brown Hawker at the Handforth ponds (88R SJ870835).
Male Southern Hawker at Newchurch
Common 16-9-03 Photo © David Kitching 2003
15.9.03
Lots of Migrant Hawker at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688)
this afternoon with one tandem pair seen skimming across the grassland.
The Common Darter and a single Ruddy Darter were very active
too. Just two Brown Hawkers seen. Meanwhile Richard Hargreaves
was at Billinge Green (67V SJ682713) where the Migrant Hawker were
abundant with just single Brown Hawker and Common Darter
seen. In Knutsford (77P SJ744788) Bryan Roberts found a male Ruddy
Darter in his garden.
12.9.03
Blakemere Moss (57K SJ554711) is well worth a visit this late in
the season. The 80 hectare rewetted area has large Odonata populations
and on a brief visit today I found Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker,
Black Darter and Common Darter flying.
Blakemere Moss 12-9-03 Photo ©
David Kitching 2003
8.9.03
On the Weaver Parkway (66N SJ655668) a single Migrant Hawker
was flying in the gloom at lunchtime.
3.9.03
Peter Williamson spent a couple of hours at Crewe Business Park
(75C SJ717548) and recorded Ruddy Darter, Common Darter
and Migrant Hawker.
At Newchurch Common (66E SJ607688) there were lots of Migrant
Hawker along Brown Hawker, Black Darter, Common Darter
and Common Blue Damselfly.
Male Common Darter Photo © David
Kitching 2003
2.9.03
A late Emperor Dragonfly was seen briefly by Richard Hargreaves
in his garden at Lymm (68Y SJ6987).
1.9.03
Richard Hargreaves reports both Southern Hawker and Brown Hawker
at Lymm (68Y SJ6987).
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.
Sightings for April 2003
Sightings for May 2003
Sightings for June 2003
Sightings for July 2003
Sightings for August 2003
Sightings for October/November 2003
© David Kitching 2003
Last updated 2.10.2003