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.

Tuesday 31 May 2016

Large Red-eyed Damselfly at Kenfig

Male on amphibious bistort from the southern bird hide at lunch-time today. The three seen yesterday on the east shore by Martin Bevan and Martin Bell were the first Kenfig records as far as I'm aware.




Monday 30 May 2016

Llanarch Wood 28/05.2016

I spent a couple of hours at Llanarch wood on Saturday where there was alot of Damsels flying but no Dragons. Most of the Damsels were Blue-tailed with a few Azure and Red-eyed also present, a few of each were also in tandam.

Friday 27 May 2016

Parc Slip 26th May

Had a lovely sunny walk round Parc Slip yesterday afternoon with Jenny Evans, a textile artist who has been commissioned by the BDS to do some artwork of Odonata (http://www.jennyevansdesigns.co.uk/). We had a good variety of species, including Azure, Large Red, Common Blue, Blue-tail and Broad Bodied Chaser, plus some really fresh Scarce Blue-tails, including a flourescent orange female. Photos from Jenny below.

Ischnura elegans female rufescens variation. Jenny Evans. 

Ischnura pumilio newly emerged female. Jenny Evans. 
Ischnura pumilio male, Jenny Evans.

Tuesday 24 May 2016

South pools Llanilid

1 Hairy dragonfly 1 Broad bodied chaser 5 Four spotted chasers  all new today

Wednesday 18 May 2016

Parc Cwm Darran 15/05/2016

Spent the day at PCD on Sunday and found a few Large Red Damsels some of which looked liked they had emerged that morning. I also found some casts so good proof that they are breeding here.





No other Dragons found.

Saturday 14 May 2016

Friday 13 May 2016

Customers Garden, Ynysybwl.

While taking a break I found this Male Large Red in the garden, there is a pond in the next garden.


Llanerch ... again

Return visit to Llanerch ponds this afternoon - lots of Blue-tailed damselflies around, mostly male but some females were seen


No other damselflies seen, but a large dragonfly was patrolling the western pond. Didn't really come close enough for a good view but the thorax looked greenish and the abdomen was clearly segmented.

Thursday 12 May 2016

Llanerch - this morning

Strolling around the ponds at Llanerch I noticed this damselfly that had not emerged 'clean' - one wing seems to have got caught up in something! Not sure but think it may be a female Red-eyed ...



Sunday 8 May 2016

Penallta Park & P.C.D. 08/05/2016

Had a look around the horse-shoe ponds at Penallta and found no evidence of emergence but took a walk around the park and I did find One Large Red Damsel well away from the water.


I then went on to Park Cwm Darren but after walking around for a couple of hours I did not find any signs of any Odonata.

Llanerch Wood 06/05/2016

A couple of hours looking around the pools and only Three new emergence found, the first looks to be a Large Red with the other Two possible Blues?




Wednesday 4 May 2016

Lavernock NR & Cosmeston Lakes 04/05/2016

Well the weather did get better and today at Lavernock I had my first Damselfly of the year, in fact three, all Large Red's.
I then went on to Cosmeston and found one only in Cogan wood.
Happy hunting.

Monday 2 May 2016

02/05/2016. Just a little note

Hi to all,

Sorry this is not a sighting but a few words to try and keep our spirits up, the start of May and still no Damselflies. Last year my first sighting was the 19th of April so whats happening? I have checked out: Lavernock, Cosmeston, Llanech Wood, Parc slip, Penallta and Parc Cwm Darren and no sign of any Large Reds.
I also tried to check out Llanilid but I think we have lost this site to the developers as there were more barriers and keep out signs blocking the entrance.
Here is hoping the weather improves and things start moving again soon.
Bye for now.

Mike