welcome note


On this blog you will be able to share sightings of Dragonflies and Damselflies within the recording area of VC41. However, sightings further afield will be welcome on this site also. To become an author of this blog please register by sending an email to vc41dragonfly@gmail.com and an invite will be sent to you. Alternatively if you want to record your sightings on this blog but do not wish to register then please email sightings with or without photos to the above address and they can be published for you. Please continue to record your sightings through the correct channels and details of these can be found above.

Sunday 23 August 2015

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Llanerch Wood 16/08/2015

After a long night moth trapping at Merthr Mawr Saturday/Sunday and not alot of sleep after, I decided to keep it local and spent a couple of hours at Llanerch Wood. Just like Howard last week there were plenty of Blue-tailed Damsels and a few Common Blues, I also found the Red-eyed Damsels on the lily pads with this pair ovipositing. On the Dragon front there was a male Emperor patroling both pools and a couple of male Common Darters on the foot-paths. As I was about to leave I found this male Beautiful Demoiselle perched on a small oak tree by the pool.


 





Thursday 13 August 2015

Parc Slip - 12 August

Called into Parc Slip on Wednesday for a short walk. Lots of Blue-tailed and Azure damsels around the pond near the visitor centre and a very nice Golden-ringed Dragonfly made a very brief appearance which made up for the lack of anything else.

Golden-ringed Dragonfly
Quite a few Common Darters at the pond near the Northern Wetlands hide, with several pairs in tandem. The pond was being patrolled by a male Emperor but it wouldn't sit for a photo. A lot of Blue-tailed damsels here as well.

Common Darter

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Llanwonno 09/08/15

Tried to find the reservoir tucked away in the forestry but came across the Daerwonno Outdoor Centre which lucky for me had a pool. Around the pool were lots of Common Blue Damsels resting on the reeds and grasses, also found was a single female Common Darter. There was a hawker flying around the pool and the nearby clearing but did not settle but I did find this female Southern Hawker new emergence along with its Exuviae, just had time to get some photos before the rain set in. I will have to visit another day.




Thursday 6 August 2015

Llanerch


Called in at Llanerch this afternoon - nice and sunny but the breeze meant that nothing was stationary for long. The only dragonfly seen was a Common Darter sunning itself on one of the handrails but lots of damselflies, many flying in tandem.

Several Common Blue and lots of Blue-tailed Damselflies around the pond margins and sitting on the lily pads. Also saw Red-eyed Damselflies in tandem - never seen these before! As I was returning to the car,  there was one of the colour variants of Blue-tailed ( I think) sitting on the path - quite oblivious to me and others passing by.

Common Blue Damselfly

Red-eyed Damselflies

Blue-tailed Damselfly  ?





Llanilid

A quick photo i had taken in July that I was going to look at when i got home ,only sat down to look at it now only to find it is scarce blue tailed damselfly

Wednesday 5 August 2015

Parc Slip 02/08/15

After a nice cup of coffee in the cafe I went around to the small pool behind the visitors centre where there was alot of Azures and a few Blue-tailed Damsels with alot of the Azures in tandem, on a bullrush stem I picked up a male Golden-ringed Dragon. I then went to the small pool near to the first bird hide where a Emperor male was patroling. I then received a phone call which cut short my stay so I will have to go back at a later date.

Kenfig 02/08/15

Started off at Kenfig but got there too early as apart from some Common Blues and Blue-tailed Damsels there was nothing else on the wing until the sun came out and it warmed up. At the pools at the back of the lake were some Emerald Damsels, I saw Two male Emperors patroling and One male Four-spotted Chaser, there were plenty of Common Darters about but mainly females. Walking back along the East side of the lake I did find a few Black-tailed Skimmers some copulating and One Red-veined Darter with another Emperor patroling near the beach area.
Then moved on to Parc Slip