Black Darter at Llanilid

A quick trip over to see these and a single washed out R.V.Darter

I think this one is a female, going with the body shape

Llanilid 24/07/14

At least five Black Darters today at Llanilid, at a boggy pool on the till mound SS98988158. Also at the same location were 15+ Keeled Skimmers, plus plenty of Emerald Damselflies.

Ruddy show goes on at Kenfig

Gareth Stamp counted c60 Ruddy Darters at Kenfig Pool, today. It appears to be a very good year for this species and we might get a temporary expansion of range away from the traditional sites in the latter part of this year. This might lead to colonisation of new sites later this year and next? These very good numbers at Kenfig plus Mike Thornton's sighting at Parc Cwm Darran, on Sunday, certainly make it worthwhile looking for Ruddy Darters at suitable locations where they've not previously been seen.

Southern Damselfly on the wing near Broad Pool

3 Southern Damselflies were on the wing near Broad Pool, yesterday.
Flying at Broad Pool or nearby were Emerald Damselfly (10), Common Hawker (7), Emperor (4), Black-tailed Skimmer (10), Black Darter (2 tenerals) & Common Darter (10)

Also of interest just outside of area at WWT Llanelli, the Small Red-eyed Damselfies were on the wing and in copulation, yesterday afternoon. All records from Paul Grennard and Clive Jones, with thanks.

Penallta Parc & Parc Cwm Darren 20/07/2014

Alot of action at the horse shoe ponds with a couple of Emperor Dragonflies patroling Two of the ponds and Five male Broad-bodied Chasers keeping them busy.

There were also the normal Common Darters but no Black Darters yet.

On the Damselfly side there where alot of Azure, Blue-tailed and Large Reds about. Also plenty of Emeralds.

Away from the ponds on the footpath near-by was this nice Golden Ringed Dragon.

I then moved on to Parc Cwm Darren and the new pond to the left of the Visitor Centre.
Again this was being patroled by Two Emperors but they did not fight alot so could have been a male and female (managed a photo of one when it came to rest).

I also found this cast in amongst the weed by the bank, could it be from the Emperor? if so it is a good indicater of breeding. It was approx 50-60mm long.

There were also plenty of Damsels about with a good number of Emeralds.

And lastly this Common Darter or is it? the more I look at it the more it looks like a Ruddy Darter but I think it could just be the angle of the photo. Any comments?

Roath Park Today

There was a mixture of Damselflies on the lily pads in the outlet stream below the lake plus One Common Darter.

Azure

Blue-tailed

Banded Demoiselle

Common Darter
Two other Dragons flying around by the islands but not able to identify.

Kenfig pool

Ruddy Darters at Kenfig (1/7/14)

 The last couple of years has seen me fail to connect with Ruddy Darters at Kenfig. Therefore the recent news from Kenfig of them being seen on the wing was a real source of encouragement. Tony Messinger's and David Carrington's recent sightings was followed by Paul Grennard's report of good numbers just north of the main pool in the dunes and along the track, yesterday afternoon. A quick chat with Paul and I was making a shameless journey to twitch the Ruddys!

I found them exactly where Paul described and was excited by the numbers present. During an hour walking slowly along the path that runs around the back of the pool and in the adjacent dunes there were 30+ Ruddy Darters. Mainly males, but at least 5 females including a freshly emerged individual that was still uncurling. There were lots of stages present including adults, immatures and tenerals. Also, in support of Paul's comments I too was unable to find any Common Darters during my visit, which I was surprised about.

Paul had earlier supplied counts from his visit -

Red-veined Darter - 6 (inc 4m + pr in copula)
Ruddy Darter - 20+
Hairy Dragonfly - 1
Emperor Dragonfly - 10+
Four-spotted Chaser - 6
Black-tailed Skimmer - 20+
Common Blue Damselfly - c200
Blue-tailed Damselfly - 20