Cyfarthfa Castle, 14/07/2025

 While up in Merthyr I popped around to Cyfarthfa castle for a quick look at the ponds behind the castle. There were a lot of Damselflies about, Common Blue, Azure and Blue-tailed but I only saw two Dragons. One being an male Emperor who flew across a pond and then disappeared, the other being a Golden-ringed Dragonfly which did stop for a picture and then that too disappeared. Whether it was the rain showers or the wind I do not know but there is a lack of Dragonflies at this site at the moment.

Parc Penallta. 04/07/2025

 Visited the lower half of the park where there are a number of ponds, the first is in a field near to the car park on the Nelson/Ystrad road. On the way to the pond I found a Broad-bodied Chaser on some bramble plus a few Blue-tailed Damsels.

At the pond there were a lot of Dragons and Damsels flying around, over the water I saw 5 male Broad-bodied Chasers and a male Emperor. In the vegetation around the pond a single Keeled Skimmer plus male and female Black-tailed Skimmers. Damsels were Blue-tailed and Common Blue.

I then moved on to the fishing ponds were again there were a lot of Damsels and a few Dragons. Damsels were Blue-tailed, Azure and Large Red, Dragons were again Male Black-tailed Skimmers, male Emperor and a single male Broad-bodied Chaser.

On the way to the next pond I came across Three dragons in the hedge growth, Southern Hawker, Golden-ringed and a female Common Darter.

At the next pond were a male Black-tailed Skimmer, male and female Broad-bodied Chasers mating, Blue-tailed Damsels and Azure Damsels.

A very productive day, just wished there was a cafe nearby 😞

Cyfarthfa Castle. 29/06/2025

 A few hours up at Cyfarthfa Castle to check out the ponds behind the castle in the woodland. Parking up by the greenhouses there were quite a few Damsels flying around the flower beds, mainly male and female Common Blues.

Up at the ponds there were a lot more Damsels about mainly Common Blues with a few Azure and Blue-tailed Damsels.

There was a male Emperor hunting over the lower pond but did not stop for a photo, no other dragons seen.

Llanech Wood 11/06/2025

 Everything looked good at the pools at first but after a few minutes I noticed that there was not a lot moving around. After three trips around the pools I did not find any Red-eyed Damsel which I have always found here plus no Dragons flying around the pools and again very few Damsels compared to previous years. Only two species found, Blue-tailed and Azure Damsels.

Will need to come back again to check it out.

Pysgodlyn Mawr 11/06/2025

 Down to Hensol to look for the Downy Emerald, the weather was a lot better than last Sunday so hopefully a better day. A lot more activity here with Emperors, Black-tailed Skimmers, Four-spotted Chasers and Downy Emeralds with plenty of Damsels mainly Azures with a few Large reds.

The Emperors and the Downy Emeralds were camera shy but not so the others.

I then moved on to Llanech Woods to check the pools out there.

The Neath Canal at Resolven 08/06/2025

 Hi all, back at it again.

A few hours out at the canal on an overcast but warm day did not produce much in the way of Dragons, with only a few Damsels seen. In total I only found less than 20 Damsels along a 500 metre stretch. whether that was down to the weather or some other problem I do not know.

Damsels seen were Blue-tailed and Azure.

Will try again when the weather gets better.

Jersey Canal, Resolven 07/08/2022

 Long walk along the canal I lost count of the number of Golden-ringed Dragons flying up and down the canal(more than 10).

Other Damsels & Dragons were Azures and Common Darters.

There were also plenty of Beautiful Demoiselles up and down the canal.