Forest access track flooded but drying out in 10km square R 79. Exact details will follow as sight holds breeding Hen harriers.
(Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea reported by Alan Horan on the previous day, went to check it out without any luck, site checked again by Alan a week later but much dryer.)
Aeshna juncea - 2, Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis, Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens - 1 male, Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum, Black Darter Sympetrum danae...... all in 10 minutes.

22/07
Small pond @ R594-963
Both Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa & Scarce Emerald Damselfly Lestes dryas, studied together in hand. As 15th with Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum and without the Blue tails.

It is difficult to be sure about the numbers and I am sure I missed some, but I think the minimum number was 70 though probably 80 or so; 90 or even 100 is possible. This was in an area about 1 km. long and 100 metres wide. About 4 mating pairs were seen and 3 or 4 females on their own, but the great majority were mature males. One ovipositing female was seen. Also seen were 3 Large Red Damselflies, a Common Darter and 4 Common Hawkers.  

I was somewhat surprised at such numbers as I have only seen a single male during 2 recent visits to Killevy Castle on Slieve Gullion, South Armagh; although this is a smaller site I have seen it in numbers up to about 10 in recent years.  

At a gravel pit near Cranfield, Kilkeel, there was a single Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa, and about 3 each of Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans, Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum and Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum. It also looked a potential site for the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly, which I have seen for a number of years up to 2004 at a similar site within half a mile, but which I have not visited yet this year. It is probably too late for the species (though I once saw it on 1st August at the latter site).  

This site and Leitrim Lodge (where very small numbers were seen in 1989 and 1990) are the only known sites for the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly in Co. Down, though it is possible that it occurs at similar sites (shallow flooded quarries or gravel pits and shallow flushes in hills, etc) elsewhere in the county.

Went down to my bog and immediately found what I was looking for, an exuvia of Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta. It was very obvious, about 0.6m (2ft) up on a bulrush leaf. I quickly found another about 0.3m (1ft) up on top of an old bulrush stem. I had found a couple larvae in the area. I did an extensive search elsewhere around my bog which is now reduced to a 20m across pond with depth to about 0.3m (1ft) but didn't find any more.

Considering the relative ease that I found larvae during past couple weeks, I anticipate 50+ Migrant Hawker to emerge, and if the position of the first 2 exuvia are typical of this species, then finding more exuvia will be easy. The 2 found today were both females.

The habitat was flushes in heathland with some rocks and rushy marshy hillside. Although some of the flushes were almost dry due to recent dry weather, others had sufficient water for this species. Weather was bright with sunny and cloudier periods, and a moderate to fresh W to NW wind. It is possible of course that this was a a stray.  

As time was getting on I did not have the time to drive further south to investigate whether there might be suitable flushes further south in Co. Louth on the road to Omeath. I think there is a record of Keeled Skimmer from Co. Louth, but that this was actually in a limestone quarry near Castlebellingham some miles to the south. I do know that there is a record some years ago of Little Bog Orchid (a species also associated with upland flushes) from above Clermontpass Bridge (J1115) a few miles to the SE.  

The only other known site for the species in Co. Armagh is at Killevy Castle on Slieve Gullion, where it was only discovered in 1998; although in 1 or 2 years numbers exceeded half a dozen, this year I have seen only 1 male (on 2 occasions) so it is good to find another site (though this would be at a higher altitude and much less sheltered). Presumed strays have also been recorded at Derryadd Lake in North Armagh in the hot summers of 1955 and 1983.

This brings the species list for my site to 20.

At one point I had a male perched viewing it through a telescope noting all the salient features – ‘yellow band’ above the light blue base to the generally brown abdomen with a dark central line, brown thorax, apple green eyes and clear wings. In flight the abdomen sometimes took on a violet hue but with the beacon like blue base always standing out.

The final tally for the day was 3 Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope, 1 male Emperor Anax imperator, at least 4 male Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum, 12+ Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis, 6+ Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum, 1 Ruddy darter Sympetrum sanguineum and many teneral sympetrums. Also good numbers of Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum, Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans and 1 Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella caught by Ian Rippey.

The next day Sunday 17/7 I again worked the site, still only having 1 male Emperor Anax imperator on the western side but the 3 Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope still showed well including a female ovipositing with male attached further out in the lake. A lone female anax was also noted ovipositing which was photographed by Conor Lynch as was a male Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope by Brian Porter who were also present at the site. An excellent dragonfly weekend!

I comfirmed that the hawker larvae in my Bog are actually Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta. They looked to be final instar and I would think that emergence will commence by end of July.

For quite some time this morning, the only hawker flying was a single male Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron Pratense. The first I've seen about my patch this month. I was watching it for about 15 minutes, and while wondering where the Emperor were, a Male Common Hawker Aeshna juncea glided past. My first of year. Then I noticed some activity at other end of lake. I went half way and in my field of view of my binoculars were 2 ovipositing Emperor Anax imperator. I observed them for about 10 minutes. No sign of male. Then a 3rd Emperor arrived and commenced ovipositing.
Soon after an aggressive (randy) male came onto the scene. He vigourously checked out each female, chased a swallow!!! and generally made a nuisance of himself, before gradually settling down. I eventually saw 3 males.

Other species seen
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata 20+
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum 100+
Ruddy darter Sympetrum sanguineum 70+
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa 100+
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella 50+
Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans 50+
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum 200+ inc teneral

I later visited a small boggy area at Glendesha near Forkhill, and found a mating pair of Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans.  

Also on 17th July Brian Hodkinson reports his first Black Darter Sympetrum danae of 2005 on Annaholty Bog near Birdhill, Co. Tipperary (a single specimen). He also saw saw Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, several Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum and Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma numphula, and what he thought was a common/ruddy darter but could not net it for id.

Peter approached the lake from the west and I approached itf rom the east, so he seems to have covered more ground and seems to have seen many more Brown Hawkers, and rather more Black-tailed Skimmers. I saw the blue flash in the middle of the body very well on numerous occasions as the males came within a few yards. Eventually Peter saw one at rest about 20 yards away and we had a look at it through his telescope. I also filmed it with a x22 Zoom on the camcorder. Peter also said he has seen Variable Damselfly at Knock Lake on a previous occasion, and as Large Red probably occurs, there may be 10-12 species.

Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis 6+ inc ovipositing in the larger pond.
Common darters Sympetrum striolatum 4 tenerals from the larger pond as well as matures
Ruddy darter Sympetrum sanguineum 5+
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata 2 at the lake
Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo just a single male at the river
Banded Damselflies Calopteryx splendens About 60 seen along 100m+ of the river.
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa Single male at the larger pond
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella Plenty inc ovipositng
Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans A few
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma numphula Plenty inc ovipositing at the smaller pond

Was hopeful of Anax at the lake, but not to be. Was surprised not see find Common Blue Damselfy at the lake. I think I've recorded it there before. Another surprise was the lack of Beautiful Demoiselle. On previous visits, Banded and Beautiful have been recorded in approximate equal numbers.

I then went to look in my Bog (historic field name). I'd say with the current weather, it could be dry in about 3 weeks time and has dried out during the previous 3 summers. Water level is down to less than a foot deep. Still masses of newts, some still a good bit of growing to go before they can leave. I was delighted to also find 7 larvae of what I assume to be Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta. It was getting dark and I didn't have the larvae ID key with me, but it is highly unlikely to be any other species. 5 were in an old wheel rut, so a deeper part of the remaining pool and 2 were together in a shallower part. Note that the bog used to grow wheat and even a crop of spuds was grown one year until I decided to flood it and let nature take over.

At least I know where to look for exuviae and I may take a look at a larva in daylight on Sunday and key it out and take some photos. To date I haven't comfirmed Migrant Hawker as breeding at my site, though ovipositing has been noted at my lake.

Off to Altimont Garden in Co. Carlow tomorrow (Sat). Odonates are gauranteed with the River Slaney, a lake and at least 2 pools.

Despite the increase in temperature, no Emperors of any sort were seen patrolling over the pond or along the marginal vegetation. None were seen feeding along the hedgerows either.

Well done to the finder. I hope to return here in better weather.

I know some local birdwatchers have experience of both Emperor and Lesser Emperor, so perhaps they could provide us with further sightings.

14th July: Co. Dublin: Hot and Sunny :
Noel Keogh saw two fighting male Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis on the Dodder River at Ballsbridge

This is an artificial lake around 7 ha in size with lots of vegetation growth around and within the water.Anyway yesterday in glorious odanata weather took note of my sightings. As I walked around the lake and the abundant vegetation I spotted

30+ Common blue damselflies Enallagma cyathigerum,
10 Blue tailed damselflies Ischnura elegans,
1 Ruddy darter Sympetrum sanguineum, (f)
5 Common darters Sympetrum striolatum,
3+ Emperor dragonflies Anax imperator
2-3 Lesser emperors Anax parthenope (m + f)
I didn't observe this last species at this lake last year.

I also saw a Brown hawker (Aeshna grandis) which, though I have recorded it once before, is presumably a stray (from where I cannot say as the nearest breeding sites would be some miles away in SW Armagh). This presumably also applies to the Hairy Dragonfly (Branchytron pratense) which I have also seen at the site.  

There were also about 40 Banded Damselflies (Calopteryx splendens) on the River Bann at Dynes Bridge c. 3 miles south of Portadown, Co. Armagh, earlier. Only 2 or 3 females were seen and a mating pair, the rest being males. The visit was less than 5 minutes and only the 50 yards or so of river south of the bridge were examined, so there were probably many more.

Also went to Kilmacurragh nr Rathdrum in 10k Sq T28. The pond here had also been cleaned out and now there is no emergent vegetation. However I did see about 20 Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma numphula, and about 5 each of Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella & Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum. This is a first record for the latter for T28. So the cleaning out of pond did encourage it in as I've made a few visits to this pond without seeing this species.

Emperor Anax imperator At ponds/lake in the 3 squares. 3 new sites.
Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron Pratense a male in good condition at new site in T29
Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum All 3, so new to I20
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum All 3
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata Just T29
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma numphula Just T29
Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo Just T29
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa Just T29
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella T39 & T29
Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans All 3
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum All 3

No further sightings of the Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum since at my lake.

And some news I forgot,

On 7th July Kim Tyner saw a single male Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo in one km sq I2419 NE of Bray Town in County Dublin. There is only a single pre-1980 record of this species from 10k sq I21 and since the vast bulk of this sq is in County Wicklow including all of the River Dargle, and as I suspect that this pre-1980 record was probably from Co. Wicklow, there appears to be no previous records from Co. Dublin in the Dragonfly Ireland Database of Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo

Edit: Hugh Delaney informed me that he saw a Beautiful demoiselle in Cabinteely Park Co. Dublin about 10 years ago. He said "I remember being so taken with it and going to a bit of trouble to look up what it was at the time"

It was ‘alive’ with Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens (20+) and Four-Spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata (30+) and I also found 2 teneral Black Darter Sympetrum danae and one Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa. Also present in good numbers were Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum, Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma numphula and Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans. I had just got up off my knees having examined some Sundew when a male Emperor Anax imperator sailed by me. I quickly got the bins on it and watched it turn around and sail past me again flying in the direction of the ‘old quarry’ at the end of the valley. I never saw it again.

This I believe is the first record of Emperor at Glendalough. I’m inclined to think that this individual was a wanderer from the more attractive lowland sites along the coast. Glendalough has all the typical upland species and I would think the site is too acidic for Emperor. The site can often be cool and cloudy when the rest of the region is baking in sunshine. In my experience the site’s peak activity for dragonflies is August/September and rather disappointingly,  I had no Common Hawker or Common Darter on this visit.

To end the day I had 4 male Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo at a river near Laragh.

Main aim this tip was to search for adult Somatochlora arctica Northern/Moorland Emerald. Some success with this. Adults were seen at Galway’s Bridge, below Queen’s Cottage at Gallavally and near Lough Beg. Best of all I saw 3 males patrolling an area of bog at the area called O’Sullivan’s Punchbowl on the OS map. JJFX King recorded arctica between Torc and Dinis 22 July 1887, so this appears to be the first record of it in this area for almost 120 years.

Other species seen

Common Hawker Aeshna juncea, Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum, Black Darter Sympetrum danae. Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens, Four-Spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum, Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans, Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma numphula and Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo.

Other odonata about my patch

Emperor Anax imperator 2 males
Four-Spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata c. 15
Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum c. 50 inc ovipositing
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum c. 10 inc ovipositing.
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma numphula single male
Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo Single male patrolling my stream and another 2 males elsewhere on farm
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa c. 30 inc ovipositing
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella c.50
Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans c. 100 inc tenerals
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum 100s inc tenerals

11 species today. I did see a female Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura pumilio a few days back as well

3rd July:  Annestown Bog (S4900 - ponds W of road) (Co Waterford).
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum 3 (teneral);
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa 1;
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum 7;
Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans 5.

3rd July:  Fenor Bog (S5301), Co Waterford.
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum 2; plus unidentified "blue" hawker/hairy sp briefly.

2nd July:  Ballyvergan Marsh (X0776), Co Cork.
Emperor Anax imperator 2 males over pond in front of BirdWatch Ireland hide;
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans 2.

2nd July:  Near Monaneea Lake (X2184), Co Waterford. 
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata 1 (female);
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans 9.  

26th June:  Unnamed lake near Coomerkane (V887557), west of Glengarriff, Co Cork. 
Four-Spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata 5+ (3 m, 2 f);
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma numphula 2;
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans; 
Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo 2.

26th June: Loughavaun Little (V909533), SW of Glengarriff, Co Cork.
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans 4+;
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum 6+.

26th June: Glengarriff Wood (V95), Co Cork. 
Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo 1.

19th June:  Brownstown Head (garden at X6298), Co Waterford. 
Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis 1 (Mary Duggan per PW).

Plenty of Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans there as well although no Large Red Damsels noted. The site has great potential and may produce other species such as Common Hawker.

There were also up to 6 Common Hawker Aeshna juncea at Peatlands Park though I had seen 1 at Glendermott Bog near Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone, on 28th June.  

Also seen were:  
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma numphula: About 4 at Peatlands including a mating pair.
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella: Several at Peatlands and Brackagh.
Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum: Some at Peatlands and Brackagh.
Blue-Tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans: At least 1 at Peatlands.
Four-Spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata: Common at Peatlands and 2 at Brackagh.
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum: About 12-15 at Peatlands, most of which were actually teneral specimens around a shallow ponf associated with sewage disposal, although a fairly red male was also seen.  

This makes 10 Odonata species seen today (9 at Peatlands, 4 at Brackagh Bog).

I understand a Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis was seen at Montiaghs NNR, Co. Antrim, on 2nd July

This now means that all the 17 resident Odonata species of Northern Ireland have been seen in 2005.

David Nixon also reports a female Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens at Broadwater near Aghalee, Co. Antrim, on 1st July.  

The most interesting record though on this website is the sighting of 2 Emperor dragonflies (Anax imperator) at Emo Court near Portarlington, Co. Laois, on 2nd July by Peter Doyle. This site (in the Irish midlands) is well inland (most sites are on or close to the coast). The species should certainly be looked for further north and west.  

With the sighting last year of both Emperor dragonfly and Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) in Scotland, possibly both may yet spread to Northern Ireland though neither have yet been seen as far north as Dublin.

30+ 4 spot Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata,
5 Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum,
2 Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum,
many Variable Bluet Coenagrion pulchellum and Common Emerald/Spreadwing Lestes sponsa,
at least 1 Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis and
3 Common Hawker Aeshna juncea
1 female Hairy Hawker Brachytron pratense

Kilmacanogue Marsh/Pond : Several Blue-Tailed Damselflies Ischnura elegans,Azure Damselflies Coenagrion puella and a single female dark phase Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum seen.