Parc Cwm Darran 25/06/2026

 A hot sunny day I spent a couple of hours around the Dragonfly pools at the top end of the Park and there were plenty of Dragons about. The first pool was being patrolled by a male Emperor and a Broad-bodied Chaser with some Azure Damsels in the margin. Also on the reeds were a lot of  Exuviae.

On the way down to the next pool I found a female Broad-bodied Chaser resting.

At the main Dragonfly pools there were plenty about with Emperor, B-B Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser, Azure, Blue-tailed and Large Red. 

Walking back to the visiting centre I found a Golden-ringed Dragon in a hedge.

Then in a small pool near the centre there was another Emperor and Broad-bodied Chaser.

Only thing was due to the hot weather the cafe had closed early so I could not cap the day off with a nice cup of coffee.

Kenfig NNR 20/06/2026

 My first visit to Kenfig since Covid and surprise we now have to pay to park but a good thing there is now a food and drinks cabin on site. On the path to the pool there were a lot of Damsels mainly Common Blue and Azure.

I took the path along the right side of the pool and along with all the Damsels there was a good number of Black-tailed Skimmers with some mating.

Also along this path were a lot of Darters,at first I thought Common Darters but on close inspection they turned out to be Red-veined Darters and Ruddy Darters.

At the top end of the pool there were a few hawkers hunting over the water but no pics available.

Away from the water I found some female Blue-tailed Damsels different forms,

rufescens.

infuscans.

Just as I was leaving the pool area I found more Black-tailed Skimmers and Red-veined Darters plus an Emperor.

It was a very hot sunny day so next time I think I will come back when it's a bit cooler.

Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs

  A few hours around these reservoirs purposely looking for Dragons and there was a lot of Damsels in the vegetation around the water and footpaths, mainly Common blues with a few Azures.

 

As the sun came out so did some Black-tailed Skimmers with five males patrolling along the waters edge and two females, one pair coming together and mating. Now and again a male would land on the footpath but kept on being push along by the joggers.

There is a great looking pool near the grounds of the Llanishen reservoir but fenced off and "No Public Access" which is a pity because it could be good for Dragons.

Penallta Park 14/06/2026

 My second visit to the park and a lot more on the wing, I did not do my usual route  so did not take in the fishing ponds and wet meadow. There were a lot of Damsels on show, Blue-tailed, Azure and Large Red. Mainly all males.

On one of the pools there were three Broad-bodied Chasers (two males, one female) both males fighting over the female.

And near by what I believe to be an immature male Black-tailed Skimmer.

Will more than likely make another visit in the coming weeks.

Park Slip - 30/05/2026

 Park Slip has not changed, a lot of the ponds are still overgrown so not a lot of clear water for the Dragons. Even the ponds around the visiting center are overgrown. I did find a male Broad-bodied Chaser on the small pool near the bird hide overlooking the lake where there was plenty of Dragons hunting.

Also Azure Damsels and what I believe to be an early Common Darter.

Further around the reserve I found a few Four-spotted Chasers in the hedgerows and field margins and a single Large Red Damsel.

This will be my only visit of the year to Park Slip.

Cyfarthfa Castle - 29/05/2026

 I visited the holding ponds at the back of the castle spending a couple of hours walking around the four pools. There were a lot of Damsels about on the lily pads and in the bank-side vegetation, Common Blue, Large Red, Blue-tailed and Azure.

I did not see any Dragons in all the time I was there.

For info:- The cafe in the Castle worth a visit :-)

Llanerch Wood - 27/05/2026

 After Visiting Pysgodlyn mawr I got to llanerch wood as the day got hotter. The first walk around the ponds did not produce much, a few Azure and Blue-tailed Damsels. For the second year running there were no Red-eyed Damselflies on the lily pads, I wonder why that is, (water quality or the presence of more fish in the ponds)?

The second walk around saw more and more Damsels of the same emerged from the vegetation. A surprise was this lone male Banded Demoiselle, this is a still water not running water?

A single Four-spotted Chaser was hunting over one of the pools but no other Dragons seen.