Rhoose Point 9 June

 A few snaps from this afternoon's short trip round Rhoose Point.  Also a Broad-bodied Chaser on the wing.  I'm not especially confident about the id's for the damsels, and am happy to be corrected if any are wrong!

Blue-tailed?

Blue-tailed f. rufescens?

Common Blue heterochrome form?

Roath Park Outlet Stream

Azure

Large Red

Just below the lake on the outlet stream by the first bridge there are some lily pads and there were a number of Common Damselflies, Azures and Large Reds.

Downy Emerald at Pysgodlyn Mawr, Hensol Forest

 My second ever visit to Hensol Forest, today, was much more rewarding than my first, a year ago. This time I managed to catch up with at least 2 male Downy Emeralds in what turned out to be a brief and fortuitous window of opportunity. The males were showing from the fishing bays along the NE side of the lake, around 14:15, and they would sometimes clash with each other, but more regularly they would clash with male Broad-bodied Chasers. Even though it was a warm day they were only observed during strong sunshine, for which there was only a limited period this afternoon.

 On arrival at the lake, a quick scan of the waters near the vegetated side showed a few good candidates for Downy Emerald, but by the time I'd got a few shots of this distinctive male and the sun went behind the cloud the opportunity to do a proper site count was lost.
If anyone wishes to make the trip to see these very special dragonflies please be aware that they are not on Hensol Lake, a mistake which cost me a lot of time last year! They are in fact on a lake situated in Hensol Forest called Pysgodlyn Mawr. It's not easy to find but there does seem to be a small parking area near to the lake at ST 0416 7583.

My desperation to see the Downy Emeralds meant that I just about ignored everything else around the lake! However, there were a few Red-eyed Damselflies (5+) and a decent sized Grass Snake for good measure.

Neath Canal, last month

Variable Damselfly

I've made a couple of visits to the Neath Canal (Penrhiwtyn), last month once on the 18th and another about a week later. Both visits were a little disappointing for numbers. The canal had already been cleared of surface Water Lillies by the 19/5/13 and damselflies were pretty much non-existent from the towpath. There are a few sheltered spots between the canal and square pond, well away from any water, where I've found damselflies in small numbers in the past. This year thus far, these same sheltered spots seem to be the most reliable place to get good views of damselflies. I saw the above Variable Damselfly on the 19/5/13 with a few Large Reds. My second visit found Common Blue, Azure, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies in small numbers. Hopefully this recent run of good weather and temps, along with another weeks worth of Water Lilly emergence will find a few more damselflies along the canal, and hopefully include some Red-eyed Damselflies amongst them?

Emperors out

An Emperor Dragonfly flew over my head, but didn't stop, today, at Cwmgwrach. Yesterday one was seen in flight near Broad Pool, per I. Tew, C. Hipkin et al

More from Kenfig, yesterday

                                          Azure damselfly

                                            Azure damselfly

                                            Blue tailed damselfly

                                          Blue tailed damselfly

                                           Four spotted chaser

                                            Four spotted chaser.

Kenfig rivermouth area today.

                                               Broad bodied chaser

                                               Four spotted chaser

                                               Four spotted chaser.
                                                 Also Hairy dragonflies and Azure, Large red and
                                                 Blue tailed Damselflies.