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?

Cyfarthfa Castle, 14/07/2025

 While up in Merthyr I popped around to Cyfarthfa castle for a quick look at the ponds behind the castle. There were a lot of Damselflies about, Common Blue, Azure and Blue-tailed but I only saw two Dragons. One being an male Emperor who flew across a pond and then disappeared, the other being a Golden-ringed Dragonfly which did stop for a picture and then that too disappeared. Whether it was the rain showers or the wind I do not know but there is a lack of Dragonflies at this site at the moment.

Parc Penallta. 04/07/2025

 Visited the lower half of the park where there are a number of ponds, the first is in a field near to the car park on the Nelson/Ystrad road. On the way to the pond I found a Broad-bodied Chaser on some bramble plus a few Blue-tailed Damsels.

At the pond there were a lot of Dragons and Damsels flying around, over the water I saw 5 male Broad-bodied Chasers and a male Emperor. In the vegetation around the pond a single Keeled Skimmer plus male and female Black-tailed Skimmers. Damsels were Blue-tailed and Common Blue.

I then moved on to the fishing ponds were again there were a lot of Damsels and a few Dragons. Damsels were Blue-tailed, Azure and Large Red, Dragons were again Male Black-tailed Skimmers, male Emperor and a single male Broad-bodied Chaser.

On the way to the next pond I came across Three dragons in the hedge growth, Southern Hawker, Golden-ringed and a female Common Darter.

At the next pond were a male Black-tailed Skimmer, male and female Broad-bodied Chasers mating, Blue-tailed Damsels and Azure Damsels.

A very productive day, just wished there was a cafe nearby 😞

Cyfarthfa Castle. 29/06/2025

 A few hours up at Cyfarthfa Castle to check out the ponds behind the castle in the woodland. Parking up by the greenhouses there were quite a few Damsels flying around the flower beds, mainly male and female Common Blues.

Up at the ponds there were a lot more Damsels about mainly Common Blues with a few Azure and Blue-tailed Damsels.

There was a male Emperor hunting over the lower pond but did not stop for a photo, no other dragons seen.

Llanech Wood 11/06/2025

 Everything looked good at the pools at first but after a few minutes I noticed that there was not a lot moving around. After three trips around the pools I did not find any Red-eyed Damsel which I have always found here plus no Dragons flying around the pools and again very few Damsels compared to previous years. Only two species found, Blue-tailed and Azure Damsels.

Will need to come back again to check it out.

Pysgodlyn Mawr 11/06/2025

 Down to Hensol to look for the Downy Emerald, the weather was a lot better than last Sunday so hopefully a better day. A lot more activity here with Emperors, Black-tailed Skimmers, Four-spotted Chasers and Downy Emeralds with plenty of Damsels mainly Azures with a few Large reds.

The Emperors and the Downy Emeralds were camera shy but not so the others.

I then moved on to Llanech Woods to check the pools out there.

The Neath Canal at Resolven 08/06/2025

 Hi all, back at it again.

A few hours out at the canal on an overcast but warm day did not produce much in the way of Dragons, with only a few Damsels seen. In total I only found less than 20 Damsels along a 500 metre stretch. whether that was down to the weather or some other problem I do not know.

Damsels seen were Blue-tailed and Azure.

Will try again when the weather gets better.