October/November Sightings and News

Total species recorded during the 2005 season is 23

13.11.05
A sunny day and Barry Shaw reports a single male Common Darter flying at Saltersley Moss (88F SJ822809).

7.11.05
Peter Shaw reports a tandem pair of Common Darter at Vale Royal Locks (67K SJ640705) at lunchtime. Meanwhile on Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) there were a few of the same species to be seen in sheltered places.

6.11.05
Whilst walking around Blakemere Moss (57K SJ554711) today, Alice Harmer saw a single Southern Hawker flying.

1.11.05
The first of November and the sun was shining through a chilly wind. I visited Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) hoping to find a few dragonflies and was rewarded by around 30 Common Darter and also the first ever November record in Cheshire for Migrant Hawker. A single male was busy feeding in teh shelter of the trees but was also making forays out across the grasslands.

Somewhat battered and missing the odd leg was this female Common Darter at Newchurch Common 1.11.05.
Photo © David Kitching 2005

27.10.05
At Handforth (88R SJ872832) Barry Shaw found a couple of Common Darter and single male Brown Hawker flying. For the latter species this is the latest ever Cheshire record . Meanwhile in warm sunny conditions at Risley Moss (69Q SJ666918) there were abundant Common Darter to be found, along with several Black Darter and one male Common Hawker.

25.10.05
On Newchurch Common in fitful sunshine at lunchtime Peter Shaw sighted a single male Migrant Hawker. Nearby were 20+ Common Darter in the grass and flying low as there was a very strong wind blowing.

Male Common Darter at Newchurch Common 25.10.05. Photo © David Kitching 2005

16.10.05
Stu Burnett was at Handforth (88R SJ870835) on this sunny Sunday and saw five Common Darter and single male Brown Hawker and Migrant Hawker.

Female Common Darter at Newchurch Common 25.10.05. Photo © David Kitching 2005

11.10.05
It was dull today but still really warm and there were plenty of Common Darter flying at Newchurch Common. I also saw a single male Brown Hawker searching for females that he was unlikely to find again.

Male Common Darter at Newchurch Common 11.10.05. Photo © David Kitching 2005

10.10.05
On a fine sunny day at Newchurch Common there were at least ten Migrant Hawker and abundant Common Darter flying. At one of the ponds at Stock-in-Hay Farm, near Mobberley (88B SJ800826) Stu Burnet saw a male Brown Hawker flying.

7.10.05
On a visit to the Weaver Parkway (66N SJ655668) in dull conditions, Richard Taylor recorded single examples of both Migrant Hawker and Southern Hawker flying.

5.10.05
Paul Hill reports a single Common Darter flying at Mill Lane, Frodsham (57J SJ530785) today. Along the Macclesfield Canal near Congleton (86X) Bryan Roberts saw two Brown Hawker and a single Migrant Hawker and Common Darter. From Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ651751) Dave James reports Migrant Hawker and Common Darter flying.

Male Southern Hawker at Alderley Edge 30.9.05. Photo © Peter Morgan 2005

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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