Latest Sightings

This Large Red Damselfly was seen at rest on the side wall of my house in Hawchurch (Post Code EX13 5TZ).

Orange yellow dragonfly seen 7th of December 2019. Judy Woods, Bradford, West Yorkshire. [Almost certainly a female Common Darter at this time of year – GHM BDS]

A single Common Darter was soaking up the sunshine today at Sutton Fen, probably my last sighting for the year.

A visit to Nethergong in cold (6 degrees Celsius) but sunny conditions produced 2 Common Darter sunning themselves in a sunny shelterd area. Considering it was -2 last night, I’m surprised these have managed to survive. My latest record for this species.

Common Darter
Holmhill Bog New Forest
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An early morning visit to Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory produced 1 Vagrant Emperor found at the base of a tree where it’s been resting up. It was barely alive. Just the odd leg and wing pulse. I tried to hang it back up but it just fell down again. I took the Emperor back to the Observatory where it was on show to the visitors after it had passed. In other news, I saw 2 male Common Darter resting on the sunshine at Nethergong late morning. Probably my latest date for this species. Photos on my blog.

1 female Vagrant Emperor in pristine condition seen and photographed today in the Elms at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory. A new dragonfly for me. New photos on my blog.

At least four Common Darter, including a pair in cop, over the Main Pond at Dawlish Warren

Female Vagrant Emperor found freshly dead outside house in Yarmouth. Specimen retained by CDR. Fifth record for the Isle of Wight and second for 2019.

12 November 2019, Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/discover-east-sussex/countryside-sites/ouseestuary/

A Common Darter in the back garden at Freshwater.Disturbed from it’s sunny spot and fluttered away over the hedge.

A single common darter seen at Shuart Farm in a warm, sunny glade on a chilly day in east Kent

Today in Delamere Forest at Doolittle Moss(SJ54328 71452) we found 5 Common and 2 male Black Darters. At nearby Black Lake(SJ53772 70922) we had a further 4 Common Darters.All our sightings were of the Darters perched on the trunks of pine trees in stunning November sunshine adjacent to water.When we felt the bark it was warm and the Darters were fighting for the sunniest spots. Photo’s submitted to the Cheshire recorders.

Common Darter at Bulwell & marlin country park Nottingham afew in heart (wheel)position and tandem ovipositing wow and single males

Common Darter – male flying near scrub and phragmites on a private nature reserve

during a brief autumnal sunny interval yesterday 10/11/19 I spotted a lone common darter while I was walking around the garden in Thurston, Suffolk. I can’t remember seeing one so late especially as it was so cold that day.

A three hour visit to Nethergong at 11am in sunny, windless conditions but the temperature around 7 degrees celsius produced 1 Willow Emerald Damselfly and 28 Common Darter.

Not very good at identification – this dragonfly was large and green. Flying around my garden pond today 5th November. Property edge of town. [As you describe it as “large” it is more likely to be a Hawker. At this time of year and given the location a late flying Southern Hawker is most likely – GHM BDS]

At least 20 common darters, including some pairs, on the wing at RSPB Greylake in Somerset. Six seen sitting in the sunshine on a wooden bench, who can blame them.

Nice surprise when I came across a male Southern hawker at Daws Hall in Essex. 1st I’ve ever seen in November and the latest in the year I’ve seen one. (Photo here on twitter https://twitter.com/UK_Wildlife/status/1193455014943055874)

3 common darters also seen

Probable female Vagrant Emperor, feeding above the dune pond, Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve

Spotted at least 15 common darters (including 2 pairs mating) and 3 migrant hawkers males. Possibly a very fast emperor, but didn’t get a good enough siting to positively identify. All sited on a sunny morning at Rspb wetlands Newport.

I spent a productive 3hrs at Nethergong this afternoon in beautiful sunshine, light winds and about 12 degrees celsius. I was rewarded with 22 WILLOW EMERALD DAMSELFLY, 23 Common Darter and 2 Migrant Hawker.

Bolsover, off Woodhouse Lane, Hawker patrolling overhead near pond and Common Darter zipping back and forth near reeds last month.

4 FEMALE & 2 MALE COMMON DARTER DRAGONS SEEN ON THE VIKING WAY JUST OUTSIDE DONINGTON ON BAIN BY THE LAKE. 31/10/19 AT NOON SUN BATHING.

Single individual photographed on edge of creek. Very torpid.

Just found my first UK Vagrant Emperor (Anax ephippiger), whilst walking my dog today. A rather torpid female in Dyke Road Park, Hove ( 50.836562°, -0.155512°), 16:30, 30 October 2019.

Female Vagrant Emperor, seen well for several minutes at Foreness Point early afternoon, down to six feet at times.

Male Migrant Hawker at Queen’s Park, Bournemouth. Photographed.

Despite 40mph gusty winds and heavy cloud cover, I managed to find 9 Willow Emerald Damselfly at Nethergong today. Most were males sheltering but I did see one ovipositing pair and a lone female getting blown heavily whilst egg laying high up a tree.