Sightings and News for October and November 2002

3.11.02
Well we did get a November record when Andy Harmer found a male Common Darter whilst out and about near Beehive Farm (88B SJ803828) close to Manchester Airport. Nothing at Newchurch Common on 4.11.02 though.

25.10.02 & 28.10.02
There were plenty of Common Darter flying at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) today including tandem pairs. It is really noticeable how they are only now to be found in the sheltered areas which trap the sun when it shines between the heavy showers.

22.10.02
When the sun briefly appeared at lunchtime so did a couple of Common Darter at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690). The season must end soon and the torrential rain that followed is likely to hasten the moment.

18.10.02
Bryan Roberts saw a Migrant Hawker at Danebridge (96S SJ964653) and I saw another male was flying at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) along with lots of Common Darter. Along the River Weaver at Vale Royal (67K SJ644710) Peter Shaw recorded 20 Common Darter plus three male and a single female Migrant Hawkers.

17.10.02
A widespread frost last night, should be seeing large quantities of leaves falling soon. In spite of this the sun was out at lunchtime and I found plenty of Common Darter flying at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690). There were several tandem pairs around but no action near the water. All insects seen were in sheltered grassy areas close to the trees.

16.10.02
A single male Migrant Hawker was flying over the Cicely Mill Pnd at Rostherne (78G SJ737831) reports Richard Hargreaves.

9.10.02
A field pond at Capenhurst (37R SJ361728) was visited at lunchtime and several Common Darter were flying and a pair ovipositing. Meanwhile a male Migrant Hawker was busily patrolling and skirmishing with the darters.

8.10.02
A stroll around a rather breezy Runcorn Town Park (58L SJ548826) yielded a couple of Common Darter soaking up the sun on discarded chip papers whilst single male Brown Hawker and Migrant Hawker patrolled the margins and bushes in rather desultory fashion. Meanwhile at Anderton Nature Park (67M SJ649753) a male Migrant Hawker was much more purposefully hawking around the edge of the car park.

4.10.02
Richard Hargreaves was at Rostherne (78M SJ742848) today and reports two Migrant Hawker on the wing.
3.10.02
Sheltered places can provide plenty of action even at this late time in the dragonfly season. At the small acid pond in Delamere Forest (57L SJ550721) the sunshine was such that the air was thick with dragonflies. Black Darter was abundant with manyl tandem couples and there were also plenty of Common Darter around. Lots of Migrant Hawker were patrolling the margins whilst a single male Southern Hawker was to be seen over the adjacent bracken. In one tussle between this latter insect and a Migrant Hawker both insects fell grappling into the vegetation. One then rose and plunged back into the melee which lasted for several buzzing seconds before they both broke free and resumed their beats apparently unperturbed by the experience.

2.10.02
The sun came out at lunchtime at Newchurch Common (66E SJ607690) and I was rewarded with sightings of Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter and Black Darter. Whilst photographing Migrant Hawker high in the broom a female Common Darter landed on my hand and remained there to have its own picture taken. The darters were particularly keen to land on anything light coloured and several landed on me as I walked around the area.

Male Aeshna mixta high up in the broom at Newchurch Common 2.10.02 Photo © David Kitching 2002


Female Sympetrum striolatum resting on the photographer's hand at Newchurch Common 2.10.02 Photo © David Kitching 2002

1.10.02
Lots of action in the sunshine with plenty of Migrant Hawker and Common Darter flying at Vale Royal (66P SJ645696) on the Weaver reports Petrer Shaw.

Male Sympetrum striolatum in typical pose on path at Winsford 2.10.02 Photo © David Kitching 2002

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.