Abercregan.

Female Common hawker.
Female Goldring.
Goldring ovipositing.

40 UK's Dragon and Damselfly Reserves

Mike Powell has recommended this link for anyone who is interested in visiting some of the best Dragonfly and Damselfly reserves the UK has to offer. The link opens up a pdf which is loaded with lots of great information which can be printed off for future reference as required. Follow the link below or to the right to open this pdf, the front page of which is shown above.

40 UK's Best Dragon and Damselfly Reserves

Recent sightings

(c) Jeff Driscoll

A couple more photos from Jeff Driscoll. Above Golden-ringed Dragonfly at Nantyffyllon on the 19th July 2011 . A nice capture of a female ovipositing.

(c) Jeff Driscoll

Above a Black-tailed Skimmer at Fendrod Lake 14th July 2011. Again a nice capture of a male feasting on a hoverfly!

Banded Demoiselle

A Banded Demoiselle on the Nant Fawr stream at Roath Park.

Red-eyed Damselfly in Swansea

(c) Jeff Driscoll

 Jeff Driscoll sent us a selection of Damselfly photos recently and among them was this one. After a bit of back tracking and jogging the memory it was established that this photo had been taken in early June 2011 at Pluck Lake. It is a male Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas) and not surprisingly sitting on a Water Lily. This species does seem to be expanding its distribution westwards through Wales currently and is well worth looking out for. This may be the furthest West this species has been recorded in VC41 so far and is a very good record by Jeff.

If you have seen this species then please let us know.

I visited Pluck Lake today and found at least 1 male present. Not difficult to track down as the only patch of Water Lilies on the lake is very obvious, although not very close to the waters edge. Pluck Lake can be found at SS669957.

Water Lilies at Pluck Lake

Also on show here today during a brief visit were Blue-tailed Damselfly, Broad-bodied Chaser and Black-tailed Skimmer

Swansea Vale Roadside Ponds

(c) Jeff Driscoll

 Jeff sent us another selection of fine images this time from the Swansea Vale roadside ponds. I've never been to this site but it looks very nice from Google Maps! Found at SS679986. A nice shot of a male Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) above and a female Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) below. Very nice!

(c) Jeff Driscoll

Southern Hawker at Tennant Canal

(c) Jeff Driscoll

 Jeff Driscoll has sent us these very nice images of a Southern Hawker (Aeshna cycnea) taken on 29th June 2011 at the Tennant Canal. Cracking shots Jeff and a good record also.

(c) Jeff Driscoll

Variable Damselfly at Tennant Canal

Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum)