Latest Sightings

Two Emporers were spotted foraging around the edges of a flooded pond within the Tamar Valley woodland estate

I spent a few hours canoeing along the Lodes around Wicken Fen. At midday i took a lunch break in a sunny sheltered area. Delighted to see at least 4 Migrant Hawkers, including a pair copulating.6 Common Darters, males and females also seen, again 1 pair copulating. 1 larger dragonfly flew past a couple of times. What i could see of the dragonfly suggested a male Southern Hawker.

Single male Southern Hawker at garden pond with a Common Darter

A single Emperor dragonfly at my Garden pond

I arrived at Wicken Fen in the pouring rain. Fortunately it stopped shortly after my arrival so my walk was still on. As i walked beside Wicken Lode the sun emerged from the clouds for a few minutes. 2.26pm-2.37pm,during which i saw 2 male Migrant Hawkers hawking insects.

A majestic navy blue emperor giving a wonderful display over a lake, unbothered by the rain.

Two Vagrant Emperors along the main path near the east end of Noahs Lake at Shapwick Heath NNR.
Also 40+ Common Darters and 20+ Migrant Hawkers in the warm sunshine

Male at the western edge of Holkham Pines for at least fifteen minutes. A possible second about 200 yards west on Burnham Overy Dunes, flight views only.

Arundel wetland centre sussex

A lone male Southern Hawker was patrolling the southern pond at Ravensroost Meadows this afternoon, despite temperatures of about 12C. The late date isn’t completely unexpected – it’s only my second latest for the site, but I was surprised due to the cold weather recently.

Vagrant Emperor flying around large field on east side of castle above the lake.
Also a few Migrant Hawkers around the lake.

I was enjoying an afternoon walk around Wicken Fen despite the cloudy conditions. Turning on to the path leading to West Mere Hide the sun emerged from behind the clouds. As if by magic several dragons emerged. 5 Common Darters-2 males and 3 females, 2 Willow Emerald Damselflies and 1 male Migrant Hawker. Photos taken. 2.22pm-3.03pm.

I had been to this pond before to watch Dragonflies/Damselflies but this time the Emperor Dragonflies became very tame and kept flying right up to us to check us out, never experienced this before. Even landing on my friends shoe and seemed like it was trying to deposit eggs on her shoe.

Single Common Hawker by VP2 Ham Wall RSPB.
Also a few Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers

I was very pleased the sun came out whilst i was walking along Harrisons Drove Wicken Fen. It bought out several Common Darters. I counted 7 males and 2 females. Also 2 male Migrant Hawkers and 1 female.1.30pm-2.30pm.

Sunday 11th October an ovipositing Aeshna cyanea Southern Hawker on our Hampshire garden pond. Also a Sympetrum striolatum Common Darter on the same pond.No doubts on identification

I saw what appeared to be a Common darter Sitting on the fence in Norfolk.

In the sun at Ham Wall RSPB reserve a single Brown Hawker , 75+ Migrant Hawkers , 250+ Common Darters and a few Ruddy Darters.

female Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta

Red Darter (maybe male) sat by the pond in the sun on September 7th in Bolsover.
Two Southern or Common Hawkers zipping round each other in the garden on September 13th, Bolsover.

dyffryn gardens, watched for 30 mins laying eggs

Female Southern Hawker at a private fishing pond at Maiden Law Durham

Just caught sight of this beautiful Dragonfly in my garden. WR9 7PE area. Drat, always the way when you have no camera to hand. Came and checked details and as this was easily four inches in length I must assume it was a female Golden Ringed Dragonfly. She swept around skimming the lawn then swooped over the one fence, came back, had another look around the garden then flew off over the other fence. She was spectacular, How lucky to see her. I will now be hoping to spot her again.

Despite the weather not being very favourable for dragonflies, i was pleased to see 4 Migrant Hawkers, 3 males and 1 female at Wicken Fen this afternoon. Also 1 male Common Darter and 1 Willow Emerald Damselfly.1.oopm-4.00pm.

Saw this large Dragonfly laying eggs on dying foliage at the edge of a wildlife pond on the local allotment site at 2pm this afternoon.
I think it’s a female Southern Hawker

Two Northern Emerald (one female)
One Common Hawker

Kingsley Wood Way in the Millbuie Forest. Near a deep peaty ditch in an area of sparse young coniferous trees with mixed scrub (heather, willow, gorse, broom etc). Sunny and relatively warm (~13 deg C) for the time of year with light breeze (<5 Km/hr).

common darters hundreds everywhere you looked, migrant hawker 30 plus.
hickling broad norfolk.

Saw a black and green southern hawker dragonfly at my local park Walverden park in nelson

emperors in south wales. 3 this morning. Cardiff. not world shattering news I know. All the best y’all.

Female Southern Hawker resting on sunny heath high on the south-facing steep slopes of the Teign Gorge below Castle Drogo, Devon.