DRAGON & DAMSELFLY DIARY 2021
This year's sightings from S. Gloucestershire
APRIL 2021
Monday 19th
The first emergence of the year was a Large Red Damselfly noted in a private garden at Yate on the 19th.
Large Red Damselfly | Mark Coller
MAY 2021
Wednesday 12th
A male Beautiful Demoiselle, the first of the year, was seen on the wing alongside the R. Avon between Willsbridge and Hanham.
Beautiful Demoiselle | Donna Harvey
Friday 14th
The first dragonfly of the year with a Broad-bodied Chaser seen on Yate Common, Yate and this years first Banded Demoiselle alongside the R. Avon between Bitton and Willsbridge.
Tuesday 18th
The first Azure Damselfly of the year was seen on Yate Common, Yate today.
Tuesday 25th
A female Beautiful Demoiselle was seen on the wing in the Shire Valley, Marshfield this morning.
Thursday 27th
At least ten Azure and two Large Red Damselflies on Yate Common today.
Azure and Large Red Damselfly | Mark Coller
Saturday 29th
A female Scarce Chaser, the first of the year, was seen alongside the R. Avon in the Holm Mead area opposite Avon Valley CP. Also today, at least 15 Beautiful Demoiselle and eight Large Red Damselfly along the R. Frome at Yate.
Sunday 30th
At Oldbury Power Station; Large Red, Common Blue and Azure Damselfly; Beautiful Demoiselle; Hairy Dragonfly at Western Distribution, Severn Beach; Yate Common; Six Broad-bodied Chasers, Common Blue, Blue-tailed, at least 40 Azure and at least six Large Red Damselflies.
Common Blue Damselfly | Rob Emery
Broad-bodied Chaser | Mark Coller and Hairy Dragonfly | Vic Savery
JUNE 2021
Wednesday 2nd
Broad Bodied and Four-spotted Chasers were seen on the small pond at Oldbury Power Station today.
Four-spotted Chaser | Heather England
Saturday 5th
The first Emperor Dragonfly of the year was seen on Chipping Sodbury Common on the 5th.
Emperor Dragonfly | Vic Savery
Wednesday 9th
The first Black-tailed Skimmers of the year were noted at Cribbs Causeway and Western Distribution.
Scarce Chaser | Donna Harvey
Also today a walk along the R. Avon between Keynsham and the cycle path at Bitton produced at least seven Scarce Chasers (all female types) and lots of blue damselflies whizzing around. Hard to ID but a few White-legged, Azure/ Common plus one Large Red Damselfly and a large hawker type on the wing probably Common Hawker?
Thursday 10th
Female Blue-tailed Damselfly of the form 'infuscans/ obseleta' at Western Distribution, Severn Beach. Apparently there are at least five different colour forms for these females!
Blue-tailed Damselfly | Vic Savery
Wednesday 16th
Good numbers of dragon and damselflies on the wing in recent days across the recording area including this fine White-legged Damselfly along the R. Avon east of Conham towards the Ferry Crossing and Heronry.
White-legged Damselfly | Stefan Csaki
Thursday 17th
A Common Darter, the first of the year, was seen at Western Distribution Pools, Severn Beach today.
Common Darter | Rob Emery
Friday 25th
On the R. Avon between The Lock Keeper, Keynsham and Bitton cycle path; Male Beautiful Demoiselle, which is not a regular sighting here, plus several Scarce Chasers, including a mating pair, Blue-tailed Damselfly and plenty of White-legged Damselfly.
JULY 2021
Friday 2nd
At Western Distribution Pools, Severn Beach; This year's first Red-eyed Damselfly (at least five present), two Emperor, two Four spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chaser and several Common Darter.
Red-eyed Damselfly | Rob Emery
Thursday 8th
From Kingsgate Park, Yate: 40+ Small Red-eyed Damselfly, six Emperor, two Black-tailed Skimmer, two Common Hawker plus lots of Common, Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly. Also Common Darter, Emperor and Black-tailed Skimmer from Catbrain Lane/ Hill.
Friday 9th
Holm Mead, Willsbridge/ Keynsham; Plenty of White-legged, Blue-tailed & Common Blue Damselfly also Scarce Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer & Emperor.
White-legged Damselfly and Scarce Chaser | TBOSG
Wednesday 14th
The first Brown Hawker of the year was logged at Kingsgate Park, Yate today!
Thursday 15th
The first Southern Hawker of the year in Kingsgate Park, Yate today also Brown and Common Hawker, four Emperor, two Black-tailed Skimmer and Common Darter. Lots of Small red-eyed, Common Blue, Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly too.
Friday 16th
The first Ruddy Darter of the year was seen at Western Distribution Pools, Severn Beach today! Also present were, at least 12 Red -eyed Damselfly, three Emperor, five Common Darter and Black-tailed Skimmer.
Saturday 17th
Emperor Dragonfly on Yate Common.
Ruddy Darter | Rob Emery - Emperor Dragonfly | Mark Coller
Wednesday 21st
Three Brown Hawker were noted at Cherry Wood, Marshfield.
Thursday 29th
On the wing today; Lesser Emperor (the first of the year) at Oldbury Power Station along with Southern Hawker and good numbers of Small Red-eyed Damselfly. Elsewhere White-legged Damselfly noted along the R. Avon at Willsbridge.
Lesser Emperor and Southern Hawker | Heather England
Saturday 31st
A number of Dragon and Damselflies on the wing in recent days including; Southern Hawker, Scarce Chaser, Ruddy and Common Darter, Four-spotted Chaser, Small Red-eyed, Blue-tailed and Common Blue Damselfly.
Small Red-eyed Damselfly | Heather England
AUGUST 2021
Friday 13th
A Migrant Hawker, the first of the year, was present at Oldbury Power Station!
Migrant Hawker | Rob Emery
Also noted on the wing this month;
Dragons: Scarce Chaser, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Four-spotted Chaser, Broad-bodied Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Southern Hawker, Emperor, Brown Hawker.
Damsels: Blue-tailed Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Beautiful Demoiselle, Banded Demoiselle, White-legged Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Noted on the wing this month;
Dragons: Southern, Migrant and Brown Hawker, Common and Ruddy Darter, Emperor, Broad-bodied Chaser.
Damsels: White-legged Damselfly, Common Blue.
OCTOBER 2021
Noted on the wing this month;
Dragons: Southern Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter.
Damsels: None yet!
Contributors
John Barnett, Stefan Csaki, Mark Coller, Rob Emery, Heather England, Donna Harvey, Pete Hazelwood, Chris Mott, Vic Savery, TBOSG.