Neath Canal at Penrhiwtyn

female Hairy Dragonfly

I returned to the Neath Canal in the Penrhiwtyn area yesterday to check on Dragonfly numbers and found there to be a drastic decrease from the numbers taken on 2 previous visits (before the stormy weather). I also checked the Square Pond. The Water Lilly clusters on the Square Pond are quite extensive in some parts but the Damselfly numbers were quite low :-

2 Red-eyed Damselfly, 20 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 4 Azure Damselfly and 2 Common Blue Damselfly. No dragonflies noted here.

At the Neath Canal it is clear that the Water Lilly surface cover has in the large part been removed, although plenty still coming up and on the fringes. However, Damselfly numbers were surprisingly low, on what was a hot afternoon.

1 Red-eyed Damselfly, 4 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 3 Common Blue-Damselfly and 12 Hairy Dragonfly. Away from the main bodies of water a female Hairy Dragonfly (above), Variable Damselfly (1) and Azure Damselfly(12)