DRAGON & DAMSELFLY DIARY
This year's sightings from S. Gloucestershire
APRIL 2022
Friday 15th
The first to emerge this year was a Large Red Damselfly noted in a Frampton Cotterell garden.
Large Red Damselfly | Frampton Cotterell Nature
Sunday 24th
A Large Red Damselfly on the wing in a private garden at Yate.
Large Red Damselfly | Mark Coller
Tuesday 26th
The first Azure Damselfly of the year was seen at the Western Distribution Pools, Severn Beach.
Azure Damselfly | Vic Savery
MAY 2022
Saturday 7th
The first Banded Demoiselle of the year was seen on the wing at Meadow Woods, Bitton.
Monday 9th
The first Beautiful Demoiselle and Broad-bodied Chaser of the year were both seen on the wing at Willsbridge Mill.
Beautiful Demoiselle and Broad-bodied Chaser | Donna Harvey
Saturday 14th
The first Four-spotted Chaser of the year was noted at Oldbury Power Station and the first Common Blue Damselfly was on the wing at Western Distribution Pools, Severn Beach.
Thursday 19th
The first Scarce Chaser of the year was seen at Willsbridge Mill, Willsbridge.
Scarce Chaser | Donna Harvey
Saturday 21st
The first White-legged Damselfly of the year was seen along the R. Avon, Willsbridge.
White-legged Damselfly | Donna Harvey
Tuesday 24th
An excellent example of the Blue-tailed Damselfly form 'rufescens' at Severn Beach today.
Blue-tailed Damselfly (rufescens) | Vic Savery
JUNE 2022
Thursday 2nd
This year's first Emperor was seen in Yate today.
Friday 3rd
New for the year today with Southern Hawker at Wickwar.
Emperor | Heather England and Southern Hawker | Paul Sadley
Tuesday 7th
The first Red-eyed Damselfly of the year was seen in Kingsgate Park, Yate today!
Wednesday 8th
On the wing in recent days: Emperor, Four-spotted Chaser, possible Hairy Dragonfly, Broad-bodied Chaser and Scarce Chaser. Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle and Beautiful Demoiselle.
Common Blue Damselfly | Mark Coller
Friday 10th
The first Black-tailed Skimmer (female) at Barnhill Quarry, Chipping Sodbury today!
Sunday 12th
The first Emerald Damsel for at least four years was found near Newlands Farm, West End today!
Emerald Damselfly | Paul Sadley
Tuesday 14th
The first Common Darter of the year was seen on the wing near Newlands Farm, West End, Wickwar today! Also present Emperor, Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer at least three Emerald, Azure, Common Blue, Blue-tailed, Red-eyed and Large Red Damselflies.
Emerald Damselfly | Mark Coller
Common Darter | TBOSG
Thursday 17th
The first Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly since 2019 was found between Bradley Stoke and Winterbourne today! Several were still present on June 19th.
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly | Vic Savery
Tuesday 21st
The first Small Red-eyed Damselflies of the year were logged at Western Distribution Pools, Severn Beach and Kingsgate Park, Yate.
Sunday 26th
The violacea form of Blue-tailed Damselfly was noted at Western Distribution Pools, Severn Beach today!
Blue-tailed Damselfly (violacea) | Vic Savery
JULY 2022
Friday 1st
Emerald Damselfly still present in the West End area at Wickwar.
Emerald Damselfly | Paul Sadley
Monday 4th
Southern Hawker and at least two male Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly continue in the Winterbourne area today!
Tuesday 5th
At least two male Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly continue in the Winterbourne area today.
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly | TBOSG
Friday 8th
A good comparison of both 'red-eyed' Damselflies! Also today, this year's first Brown Hawker - with four noted plus Common Hawker both at Kingsgate Park, Yate.
Small Red-eyed Damselfly | Heather England and Red-eyed Damselfly | Vic Savery
Sunday 10th
The first Ruddy Darter of the year was seen at Oldbury Power Station. Black Skimmer and Small Red-eyed Damselfly also present. Western Distribution Pools this afternoon; A dowdy Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, five Small Red-eyed Damselfly, a pair of Emperors plus Common Blue and Azure Damselflies.
Ruddy Darter | Heather England
Tuesday 12th
At least two male Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly continue in the Winterbourne area today.
Sunday 17th
Brown Hawker and Emperor at Horton Bushes, Southern Hawker at Severn Beach.
Wednesday 27th
Southern and Migrant Hawker, Ruddy and Common Darter all seen at Oldbury Power Station today! Also seen today were Banded Demoiselle and Blue-tailed Damselfly.
Thursday 28th
Scarce Chaser on the wing along the R. Avon at Bitton.
Friday 29th
Emperor and Brown Hawker from Lower Woods, Wickwar.
AUGUST 2022
Dragon and Damselflies on the wing this month: Emperor, Southern Hawker, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly.
Black-tailed Skimmer | Heather England