Sightings and News for May 2002

Club-tailed Dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus)
Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense)
Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)
Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata)
Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa)
Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea)

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens)
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula)
Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas)
Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)
Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)
Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum)

26.5.02
'Gomphus Day' and a number of hopeful souls set out along various stretches of the Dee in search of Club-tailed Dragonfly exuviae. In spite of very high water levels some success was achieved with 8 exuviae and at leat 4 adults sighted. Karen Taylor and myself saw a male flying at Aldford (45D SJ404571) along with lots of Banded Demoiselle. At Churton (45I SJ430565) the Variable Damselfly was out in very large numbers.

Club-tailed Dragonfly at Bangor-on-Dee 26.5.2002
Photo © Gail Butterill 2002

24.5.02
Whilst in a cafe in central Chester (46D SJ406661) George Broughton was surprised to see a male Hairy Dragonfly land in an ornamental bush outside. This insect must have wandered some distance from the point of emergence.

Variable damselfly at Churton
Photo © David Kitching 2002

One of the marlpits at Churton
Photo © David Kitching 2002

23.5.02
Although the weather was windy with only fitful sunshine a visit to the dipping pond at Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ651751) was amply rewarded. First seen was a female Hairy Dragonfly ovipositing amongst the rushes which also yielded three Emperor Dragonfly exuviae. Flying was a male Broad-bodied Chaser and a single Four-spotted Chaser. Damselflies were abundant and comprised Large Red Damselfly, Red-eyed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly with Banded Demoiselle flying at the nearby river.

Andy Harmer was at a pond in Delamere Forest (57L SJ550721) which proved to be a new site for Hairy Dragonfly with two males flying. Also present were Four-spotted Chaser, Large Red Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

17.5.02
Two Hairy Dragonfly were flying on the Weaver at Vale Royal (66P SJ644699) when Rob McHale visited this morning.

15.5.02
To Gull Pool (66E SJ602687) for a look at what was flying. I was rewarded by at least ten male Downy Emerald which flew around me and settled most obligingly on the vegetation. The water levels here are still so high that approach to the marginal vegetation is nigh on impossible and certainly extremely hazardous.

At Billinge Green Flash (67V SJ682713) there were plenty of Red-eyed Damselfly around the waterlilies whilst sheltered spots yielded a few Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly.

Gail Butterill called at Farndon (45C SJ413543) and found two Club-tailed Dragonfly exuviae near the bridge.

12.5.02
The first 2002 record for Banded Demoiselle comes from the River Weaver at Vale Royal (66P SJ644699) where Peter Shaw saw a single female. Meanwhile Matt Thomas reports Common Blue Damselfly from the Visitor Centre pond at Thurstaston (28G SJ239832) on the Wirral Country Park.

11.5.02
Peter Shaw found teneral Azure Damselfly and Red-eyed Damselfly on the Weaver at Vale Royal (66P SJ644699), both firsts for this year.

8.5.02
Whilst at Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ651751) today a quick visit to the dipping pond yielded a freshly emerged Four-spotted Chaser, and singles of Large Red Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

4.5.02
Paul Hill reports Common Blue Damselfly flying at Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ651751).

At Abbotts Moss (56Z SJ595686) Bryan Roberts saw a single Four-spotted Chaser whilst Stuart Burnet visited the ponds at Handforth (88R SJ870833) where he recorded a number of teneral Large Red Damselfly.

3.5.02
From Rocksavage Power Station (58A SJ519802) Andy Harmer reports a single male Large Red 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.

© David Kitching 2002

Last updated 1.6.2002