Sightings and News for July 2002

29.7.02
Bryan Roberts reports sightings of Brown Hawker and Common Darter from a visit to Wigg Island (58G SJ532837)

25.7.02 and 26.7.02
Rob McHale continued his exploration of the Dane with sightings from the bridge at Swettenham (76Y SJ795667) of Migrant Hawker, Banded Demoiselle and Blue-tailed Damselfly and the same species the next day near the Holmes Chapel railway viaduct (76T SJ772679).

19.7.02
Along the River Dane Rob McHale found good numbers of Banded Demoiselle at Northwich (67L SJ659733), Ravenscroft Bridge (76D SJ703672) and Byley Bridge (76D SJ714674). I visited a pond in Delamere Forest (57L SJ550721) where, in spite of the rain, I found Black Darter, Four-spotted Chaser, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly.

16.7.02
At Risley Moss (69Q SJ666918) Richard Hargreaves found Emperor Dragonfly, Common Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser, Common Darter and lots of Black Darter. Paul Hill visited the ponds at Dairy House Meadows (67S SJ663757) and found Black-tailed Skimmer and Emperor Dragonfly prominent.

15.7.02
It was nice to receive a report from up in the hills on the Staffordshire border when Rob McHale called at the fishing pools at Danebridge (96S SJ962650). Flying were a number of both Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

13.7.02
A possible sighting of an ovipositing Black-tailed Skimmer by Richard Hargreaves at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) today. Richard also reports seeing Ruddy Darter, Common Darter, Four-spotted Chaser, Brown Hawker and Red-eyed Damselfly. Meanwhile at Black Lake (57F SJ538709) Emperor Dragonfly, Brown Hawker and Four-spotted Chaser were all flying in good numbers along with a single Ruddy Darter.

11.7.02
From a pond at Fearnhead (69F SJ643910) comes the first 2002 record of Migrant Hawker with 3 newly emerged adults found with their exuviae by Rob McHale. There were also plenty of Blue-tailed Damselfly and Azure Damselfly and two Common Darter.

10.7.02
At lunchtime a single teneral male Black Darter was flying at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690)

8.7.02
Plenty of action for Rob McHale at Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ651752) with Emperor Dragonfly and Brown Hawker both flying and the first sighting of the year for Emerald Damselfly.

7.7.02
Paul Brewster was at Ashton's Flash (67S SJ668748) today and recorded a single teneral male Black-tailed Skimmer flying. Meanwhile from Vale Royal (67F SJ639703) Peter Shaw reports Emperor Dragonfly, Brown Hawker, Banded Demoiselle and Red-eyed Damselfly.

4.7.02
At Blakemere Moss (57K SJ545713) the weather may have been dull but there were abundant teneral Black Darter to be seen. Also seen were several Blue-tailed Damselfly.

Teneral male Sympetrum danae Photo © David Kitching 2002

3.7.02
The cool spell continued with few sightings of Odonata. Rob McHale visited Risley Moss (69Q SJ666918) and saw Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and a single Four-spotted Chaser. Later at Rixton Claypits (69V SJ685902) the former two species were present.

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.