Sightings and News for August 2002

27.8.02
Richard Gabb and I spent a splendid day around Church Minshull exploring some of the surviving marlpits in the area. Highlights included large numbers of Ruddy Darter along with single Emperor Dragonfly at (66K SJ640612 and SJ642613). There were also plenty of Emerald Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly about along with a few Red-eyed Damselfly. At Cholmondeston Hall (65P SJ649588, SJ644593 and SJ645593) the picture was the same although the former pond yielded lots of Common Darter and only a single Ruddy Darter. We also saw a couple of Southern Hawker and lots of Brown Hawker one of which landed on the hand with which I was carrying my camera. I am convinced that it chuckled when it flew off again!

Marlpit at Church Minshull. Photograph © David Kitching 2002

26.8.02
From Rixton Clay Pits (69V SJ685902) today Rob McHale reports good numbers of Common Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter and lots of Black Darter.

Ray Jackson was delighted to record the twentieth species for Lower Moss Wood (77X SJ783752) when he found a male Black-tailed Skimmer by the big pond.

25.8.02
Richard Hargreaves visited Eaton Hall (46A SJ414607) and was rewarded with sightings of Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and several Red-eyed Damselfly.

A single Migrant Hawker was seen flying over the Macclesfield Canal at Bosley Locks (96C SJ907655) this afternoon.

22.08.02
At Saltney (36X SJ38-65-) today Neale Moss reports a female Southern Hawker ovipositing in his garden pond.

16.08.02
Sightings at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) included Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Black Darter, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Emerald Damselfly. Meanwhile, at Billinge Green Flash (67V SJ682713) there was a single Brown Hawker ovipositing and a few Ruddy Darter flying along with abundant Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

7.8.02
Lots of Black Darter active at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) along with Brown Hawker, Common Darter and a single teneral female Migrant Hawker.

6.8.02
At one of the ponds by the Weaver above Vale Royal Locks (66P SJ643699) there was plenty of activity with Ruddy Darter ovipositing in tandem and also Common Darter, Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

5.8.02
At Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) today I saw several Brown Hawker ovipositing. A few Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly werer also present.

4.8.02
Paul Hill was at Brereton Heath (76X SJ798656) and reports a single Black Darter and two Brown Hawker with a few Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly.

3.8.02
Blakemere Moss (57K SJ545713) provided plenty for Chris Hynes to see when he visited. The nine species present included Black Darter, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Common Hawker, Brown Hawker and Southern Hawker.

2.8.02
On the Gowy Meadows (47H SJ431743) Gail Butterill reports sightings of Banded Demoiselle, Common Darter, and 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.