Pysgodlyn Mawr - 27/05/2026

My first visit of the year to this pool to catch the Downy Emerald and I was not disappointed, there were at least 8 flying around the pool with a couple of females laying eggs in small bays. 

This obliging male landing near by allowing me to get a pic.

There was an Emperor hunting over the pool but camera shy. At the dam end there were 5 Four-spotted Chasers with the males fighting over the females, the females were trying to lay eggs but kept on getting jumped on by the male after only lay 2 or 3 eggs.

Along the margins and in the bank-side vegetation were plenty of Large Red and Azure Damselflies with a few Blue-tailed damsels. Some in tandem and mating.

 

In a clear-fell near the pool I found some more Dragons, an Emperor hunting, a female Broad-bodied Chaser and a Four-spotted Chaser.

I then moved onto Llanerch woods.

Forest Farm NR - 24/05/2026

 A few hours spent around the reserve and only one Dragon seen, an Emperor hunting over the pool. There were plenty of Damsels around, on the stream there were a lot of Beautiful Demoiselle and Banded Demoiselle.

When I got around to the canal there were some on there as well plus Large Red and Azure Damselflies some of which were in tandem.

Passed the lock on the canal when leaving and more Demoiselles were present.

It was a good day.

 Parc Penallta. 22/04/2026

Hi everyone, the new season as started. A nice sunny day but a bit windy I managed to get out and about initially looking for butterflies. The first thing I came across was a Large Red Damselfly, there was no water nearby. Although I walk around most of the water pools on this site I did not see any other Damsels.

Partner's Garden. 13/08/2025

 While doing some work in my partners garden a hawker came through hunting and decided to rest up in a bush so managed to get a pic. A female Southern Hawker.

Llanerch Wood 10/08/2025

 A return visit to this site and nothing has improved, Dragons were few and far between and like Pysgodlyn Mawr not a lot of Damsels about. I only found a few Blue-tailed Damsels and a couple of Common Darters.

Pysgodlyn Mawr 10/08/2025

 My 2nd visit to this site and nothing as changed, Dragons were few with only male Common Darters around the pond although I did catch a glimpse of a male Black-tailed Skimmer. There were a few Damsels about but again not many, Azure and Blue-tailed.

In an area nearby which is a forestry tree fell area I found more Common Darters and a single Male Golden-ringed Dragonfly plus a hawker flying high and hunting.

I then moved onto Llanerch Wood.

Forest Farm 18/07/2025

 A few hours spent walking around Forest Farm NR today was very productive for Demoiselles, on the stream which runs along side the reserve (The Melingruffydd) I found between 15 to 20 male Banded Demoiselle displaying to around 3 females, also among them were a couple of male Beautiful Demoiselle. They were also present by the footbridge over to the allotments a bit further down.

I did not see any Dragons on the pools near the hides, so carried on to the canal where the lily pads were thick on the water covering nearly all the canal, there were a lot of Damsels on the pads mainly male Azures and a few male Blue-tailed Damsels with a lot of Azures in tandem and ovipositing.

I did find one Dragon along the canal a Golden-ringed Dragonfly. there were also quite a few male Banded and Beautiful Demoiselle up by the lock.

Strange how there is a shortage of Dragons about! What could be wrong?