| Irish Odonata sightings during June 2006 | ||
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| last updated 08 April 2007 | ||
| Maintained
by Angus Tyner.
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| IMPORTANT: Please send records to Robert Thompson for inclusion on the national DragonflyIreland database which is still being updated. | ||
| Download record card from here | Contact details here | |
| Archives - April/May Latest News | ||
| 29th June | Wexford | Michael O'Donnell |
| 17/24th
June, Barnland, Gorey, Co. Wexford. I was
pleasantly surprised to find an Emperor Anax
imperator exuvia on a Flag Iris
in the garden pond on 17th. As this pond was
only created in 2005 it means it only took one year for
this to develop. A second one was found on 24th. Also found were several Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum and Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans exuviae. One male Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum was seen on 17th bringing the garden list to 12 species. |
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| 26th June | Various | Ian Rippey |
| Full
report with list of records on separate page ODONATA OBSERVATIONS 12-18 JUNE 2006 IN REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, RECORDED BY IAN RIPPEY 14 species (Banded Damselfly Calopteryx splendens, Large Red Damsefly Pyrrhosoma nymphula, Scarce Emerald Damselfly Lestes dryas, Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura pumilio, Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elgans, Common Blue Damselfly Enallagam cyathigerum, Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella, Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum, Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense, Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum, Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens, Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum and Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum) were seen. Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis), Common Hawker (Aeshna juncea), Black Darter (Sympetrum danae), Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) might also have been expected but it may have been too early, and I had hoped that I might see Beautiful Damselfly (Calopteryx virgo) and even Irish Damselfly (Coenagrion lunulatum) in central or South Clare. I was outside the known range of Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea), Northern Emerald (Somatochlora arctica) in Co. Kerry, or the Emperor (Anax imperator) and Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) which is mainly in South-east Ireland (though in 2005 and 2006 the former has been recorded in Co. Limerick and in 2005 in Co. Clare, near the border with Co. Galway. The highlights were the re-finding of the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly in the Burren, Co. Clare (though it was also recorded at Lough Graney in East Clare in 2002), the frequency of Black-tailed Skimmer (in several cases also with the Keeled Skimmer) especially in the Burren, finding probably at least 1 new site for Scarce Emerald damselfly, of Brachytron pratense in SW Clare, etc. Regarding the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly, Cotton (1981) mentions a female aurantiaca specimen taken by the late Philip P. Graaves at Rinemona (ie Rinnamona) Lake, Killinaboy, Co. Clare, on 4th June 1947, which is now in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. He sates that the record was published by Graves (1948), is the Co. Clare record published by Macneill (1952) and was plotted in Grid Square R28 in Lamhna (1978) though he states correctly that the location is in R29 (at about R296943). This is about a mile and a half to the north-east from where I found it this month. He also mentions an unpublished redcord by Alan Stubbs from Castletown, Co. Clare, on 20.7.1975, though no numbers are given. This is in the same general area and but about two and a half miles from each site in a northerly direction. Nelson and Thompson (2004) show a 1980-1999 record (of 1 specimen) for 10 x 10 km. square R29, this being the only one shown in the Burren area, and Merritt, Moore & Eversham (1996) a 1975-1990 record for R29. If these are both correct and refer to the same record this would mean that there was a record for R29 between 1980 and 1990, which would bbe additional to the 1947 record. |
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| 26th June | Waterford | Paul Walsh |
| 25th June, disused quarry & pools (X1482) near Clashmore: 3 Emperors Anax imperator (plus an empty exuvia confirming recent on-site emergence), also 8+ Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, 1 Emerald damselfly Lestes sponsa, 1 Blue-tip Damselfly Ischnura elegans, & several unidentified "blues". Dozens of presumed Chaser larvae and several Common Newts also visible around pool margins. | ||
| 25th June | Louth | Don Hodgers, Enda Flynn and Gerry O'Neill |
| 25 June 2006: Moneycrookroe this morning had at least 30 Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, including mating pairs and ovipositing females. A male Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense was also present and a single mature male Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum. Very large numbers of Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum, Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans and Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula were present as usual. | ||
| 25th June | Clare | Don Hodgers and Enda Flynn |
| 24 June 2006: At least 30 Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum in the loughs around Carran and Mullagh More, including mating pairs and ovipositing females. Also recorded about 20 Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, many immature Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum and some Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum. Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum and Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans were very numerous. | ||
| 25th June | Wicklow | Angus Tyner |
| Had mature Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum today with a male and a pair in tandem. Plenty others emerging along with Emerald damselfly Lestes sponsa. | ||
| 20th June | Wicklow | Angus Tyner |
| 16th June, Garden lake
and pond; First Emerald
damselfly Lestes sponsa and as
usual, it was a female. 11 species seen in all. Other Highlights Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo - Female in morning and male in afternoon Emperors Anax imperator - Most I've ever seen here with at least 12 inc 3 females. A lot of interaction and clearly there is not enough room for 8 males around the lake. |
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| 19th June | Louth | Don Hodgers |
| 10 June, Ratheskar:
Hundreds of blues, around the lake and in the woods, most
specifically identified were Azure Damselfly Coenagrion
puella. Also above average numbers of Blue-tailed
Damselfly Ischnura elegans and a few Large
Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula; at least 14
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula
quadrimaculata and 3 Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron
pratense. 11 June, Southern end of Drumcah Lake: 2 or 3 Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense, 4 Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, many blues including Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum and a few Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula. 11 June, River Fane at Knockbridge: About 30 Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens, mostly males, some mating pairs. 15 June, Mountain Bay sand and gravel pit: small number of Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans and some Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula; a mature female Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum. 15 June, Mullatee Quarry: Large numbers of Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum, including mating and ovipositing pairs, also good numbers of Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans. About ten teneral and immature Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum, 4-6 Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata including mating pair 15 June Moneycrookroe: hundreds of Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum, also large numbers of Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula and Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans. About twelve Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata. 15 June, Clermont Mountain: At least four Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata and good numbers of Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula. 15 June, Curralhir Bridge: Single Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula |
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| 19th June | Wicklow | Niall, Noel, Jack Keogh |
| 17th June: Kilcoole, Co.
Wicklow. A leisurely stroll along the coast down to see the Little Tern colony failed to produce many bird sightings, and the fresh to moderate south-east breeze discouraged me from bothering to look for any Odonata, yet we still managed to see a single maturing Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata resting in the Marram Grass alongside the Little Tern colony. As far as I can remember this is the first time I've seen this species at Kilcoole. |
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| 18th June | Limerick | Geoff Hunt |
| 15-06-06 Rathkeale co
Limerick Banded Jewelwing Calopteryx
splendens, Common
Darter Sympetrum striolatum 16-06-06 Griston bog, Ballylanders co Limerick Blue Emperor Anax imperator, Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, azure bluet Coenagrion puella, spring red tail Pyrrhosama nymphula, common bluet Enallagma cyathigerum, common bluetip Ischnura elegans all seen with Ballyhea, National School 17-06-06 Abbeyfeale/ Tullig Wood. Beautiful Jewelwing Calopteryx virgo, azure bluet Coenagrion puella, spring redtail Pyrrhosama nymphula |
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| 18th June | Mayo | Enda Flynn |
| Lough carra at kilkeeran had about 20 Black tailed skimmers orthetrum cancellatum 8 males & 12 female/immatures on the 13th june. while on the 15th Lough cullin at drummin wood had 5 Black tailed skimmers orthetrum cancellatum,4 male & 1 female/immature, Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum & Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans were the only other species noted at both venues and elsewhere during the week | ||
| 17th June | Cork | Harry Hussey |
| Today I visited Lough Aderra in east
Cork, as I was anxious to try to see some dragonflies
before this warm dry spell comes to an end. Immediately
apparent were some male Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum
cancellatum: in all, I must have had well over 20
males, perhaps closer to 30, with females also seen, some
of which were seen mating or ovipositing. About 5-6 male Emperors Anax
imperator were also present, and at least one
ovipositing female. While looking through these, I had a brief glimpse of an Emperor type that seemed to have paler blue on the upper abdomen than is usual as it flew away, though I was unable at this time to see the colour of the rest of the abdomen or the thorax. Nevertheless, I suspected that it may have been a male Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope, a species which I had seen before at this site. Subsequent views, some of which were quite good, allowed this identification to be confirmed, with the relevant features being seen well. Also present were perhaps 30+ Four-spotted Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata, and three poorly seen darters (a female and two males), which stubbornly refused to come close enough for Red-veined to be ruled in or out. I never managed to check the western end of the lake, or a lot of the southern bank, so perhaps there were at least a few more of the commoner species already noted. |
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| 13th June | Wicklow | Angus Tyner |
| Checked a couple pools near Wicklow gap.
330m anove sea level. It was cloudy, but managed to see 2
Large Red Damselfly
Pyrrhosoma nymphula and 3 Four-spotted Chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata. Masses of little frogs
emerging from pools and while looking at them, I found
single exuvia of Four-spotted Chaser Libellula
quadrimaculata and 5 of Keeled Skimmers
Orthetrum coerulescens. A larvae seach came up trumps with 3 Common Hawkers Aeshna juncea looking as if they'll emerge any day. Plenty of young larvae of this species found as well. I looked for exuvia without success. |
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| 12 June | Dublin | Peter Doyle |
| A visit to the Furry Glen pond in the Phoenix Park on Saturday 10/6 produced up to 4 male Hairy Hawkers, B.pratense and 5 Banded Demoiselles, C.splendens – 3 males and 2 females. Other damsels present were Large Red, P.nymphula, Common Blue, E.cyathigerum; Azure, C.puella and Blue tailed, I.elegans, Damselflies. A further 2 male Hairy Hawkers were seen in a nearby woodland glade. I also checked the nearby Quarry Pond which proved to be unproductive except for a few previously mentioned damselflies. | ||
| 12th June | Clare | Brian Nelson |
| In the Burren last week (6th to
9th) and Black-tailed
Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
was seen in several places on 7th
including Mullach Mor. Kilgory Lough on 6th had Hairy Hawker Brachytron pratense, Four-spot Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata and all the expected damselflies in large numbers. A single male Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens was a surprise along a tiny steep banked trickle. |
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| 11th June | Fermanagh | Ian Rippey |
| At Legalough near Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh, there was a Common Darters, Sympetrum striolatum in a rushy field along with several Four-spotted Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata; I also saw at least 1 Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense. | ||
| 11th June | Down | David Nixon |
| Two male Hairy Dragonflies Brachytron pratense were giving excellent views at Bohill NNR, Co Down this afternoon, along with approx 12 Azure Damselflies Coenagrion puella. | ||
| 11th June | Down | Ian Rippey |
| I saw at least 1, probably 2, Keeled Skimmers Orthetrum coerulescens at Leitrim near Hilltown, Co. Down, on 10th June. Also seen was a Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, the first time I have seen it at this site, and about 15 Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula. | ||
| 10th June | Wexford | Killian Mullarney |
| Prompted by
the continuing glorious weather yesterday (9th
June) myself and Cornelia
Sakali decided to survey as many as possible of the
Screen Hills pools (roughly between Blackwater and
Curracloe, Co. Wexford) where in previous
years I have recorded many Emperors
Anax imperator (with at least 18 one day in
late June 2001). We looked at about twenty
pools and recorded a total of 46 Emperors, all but
three of which were males, (the remainder being females,
all ovipositing). Four pools had no Emperors (one of
these appeared to be totally dead) while two pools
held a minimum of five. In addition, Four-spotted
Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata was
very common, with a couple of pools having at
least twenty insects visible. A few Hairy
Dragonflies Brachytron pratense (2
- 3) were observed at three pools. Lots of damselflies
were present at most of the pools and I identified Azure
Coenagrion puella, Variable Coenagrion
pulchellum, Blue-tailed Ischnura
elegans and Large Red Pyrrhosama
nymphula. I have a detailed record of the numbers
observed at all the pools visited, if anyone requires it.
Incidentally, I too visited Tacumshin on 8th June and concur with Peter Doyle's estimate of the number of Hairy Dragonflies present - there must have been several hundred, at least. |
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| 9th June | Wicklow | Angus Tyner |
| A male Beautiful Demoiselle
Calopteryx virgo did a fly through today around
the edge of my lake, just before I recieved a text from
my brother (John) that he saw a Beautiful
Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo elsewhere
on the farm yesterday (8th June) Interesting, numbers of everything was down a lot today versus yesterday, only difference was it was much later during day, and so well past peak of activity. |
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| Top of Page | ||
| 9th June | Limerick | Barry Ryan |
| Harry Hussey and myself had an
interesting sighting- in a square not shown as occupied
in Thompson's book. Hairy Dragonfly / Spring Hawker Brachytron pratense 1km E of Kilfinnane, Co. Limerick R703 228 Seen on 4 June, and also at the upper altitudinal limit- 240m. |
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| 9th June | Wexford (Gorey)/Wicklow | Michael O'Donnell |
| Got home from
work yesterday 8th
June to find a male Emperor Anax imperator at the pond. It spent about an hour
there. It’ll be interesting to see if it stays
around. It should be easy to tell if it’s the same
one because the abdomen is slightly bent to the right and
appears shorter than normal. Also present were about 30 Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans including several ovipositing pairs. Over last weekend we added Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula and Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella to the garden list with a couple of pairs of each ovipositing. This brings the garden list total to 11 species. A female Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata was also present and was seen ovipositing. At Arklow Ponds on Monday 5th June I saw two Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense, two Four-spotted Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata and five Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans. |
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| 9th June | Wexford | Peter Doyle |
| Making the most of the heat wave I headed to south County Wexford yesterday morning 8/6. The east end pond of Tacumshin Lake was heaving with dragonflies. I’ve never seen so many Hairy Hawkers, Brachytron pratense, at the one site. There must have been any number from 70 to 300 individuals, all told, on the wing. On the south side of the pond I had 15+ teneral Common Darters, Sympetrum striolatum. Four spotted Chasers, Libellula quadrimaculata, were ‘scarce’ enough with no more than half a dozen noted. Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula, ‘blue’ (none caught for specific identification) and especially Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans were also abundant. In the afternoon I went to the Quarry pond nearby where I had 3 possibly 4 male Emperor Dragonflies, Anax imperator, 8+ Hairy Hawkers, Brachytron pratense and 5+ Four spotted Chasers, Libellula quadrimaculata as well as the same supporting cast of damselflies. The Emperors and Common Darters were my first of the year. On the drive back to the Wexford/Rosslare road 3 dragonflies (probably Hairy Hawkers) crossed in front of the car. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many dragons on the wing so early in the year! | ||
| 8th June | Various | Ian Rippey |
| On 7th June I
visited Co. Monaghan and Tyrone; Odonata were not
numerous but I saw a single Hairy Dragonfly
Brachytron pratense in
a ride at Altadaven Glen near Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone;
several Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma
nymphula and Four-spotted Chaser Libellula
quadrimaculata were also seen. In and around poosl
near disused gravelpits at Bragan Mountain, Co. Monaghan,
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula
quadrimaculata were numerous, with a few Large
Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula, Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma
cyathigerum, Azure Damselfly Coenagrion
puella and 1 or 2
Blue-tailed Damselfly
Ischnura elegans (the latter were around a pond with some
very shallow water which looked possible for the Scarce
Blue-tailed Damselfly, but none were seen. On 8th June there were up to 4 male
Hairy Dragonflies at Drumnahavil Bog near Keady, Co.
Armagh, and about 25 Irish Damseflies including several
mating pairs, probably 50+ Four-spotted Chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata, c. 20 Variable
Damselflies Coenagrion pulchellum and 1 or 2 Large Red
Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula and Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura
elegans. At
Carnagh Forest near Keady there was another Hairy
Dragonfly Brachytron pratense, and at Straghans Lake not far away, a few Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma
cyathigerum, and
1 or 2 Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma
nymphula and Four-spotted Chaser Libellula
quadrimaculata. |
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| 8th June | Wicklow | Angus Tyner |
| The spectacular weather continues, and
some species seem to be thriving. A new species today
with Ruddy Darter Sympetrum
sanguineum emerging from my seasonal pond. At
least 5 specimens were seen taking their maiden flight. I
only confirmed one (a female) but I assume the others
were the same as Common Darter has not been recorded
emerging from this pond for at least a couple years. I
did a good search for Emerald damselfly Lestes
sponsa, none were seen, though it is often about a
week later than Ruddy Darter. Curiously, there has been a good emergence of Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella from this seasonal pond ("Bog") even though it was bone dry for about 6 weeks early Autumn last year. Also seen today: Emperor Anax imperator - 3 males Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense - where have though all come from. Very difficult to get an accurate count, but 10-20, and way more than I've ever seen before here. As I was walking through the pond which has clumps of rushes, reedmace etc, there was always a Hairy in view, not a bit shy flying around my legs. They seemed quite happy to ignore each other. The most I had in one view was 5. Plenty of interaction between them and the Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata. Probably about 20 of them, but many all around the lake, where I've scarely seen them before. Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula - Now here in record numbers as well. c. 30 seen including ovipositing pairs. Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum - 100s Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella - 100s Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans - 100 |
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| 7th June | Armagh/Fermanagh | (per) Ian Rippey |
| Kenny Murphy reports Banded Demoiselles Calopteryx splendens on the River Callan at Aughinlig near Loughgall, Co. Armagh, on 31st May and also one flying past his home on 6th June. On 6th June in Co. Fermanagh I saw about 8 males and 14 females along the Sillees River at Sligo Road, Enniskillen. Earlier on 6th June I had seen about 20 Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) at Tonnagh Quarry near Derrygonnelly, also Co. Fermanagh (this has also been recorded this year from Co. Clare and Co. Wicklow); there were 3 mating pairs, one female aurantiaca and one mature female, and the rest males. One Ischnura elegans and a few Pyrrhosoma nymphula were also seen. At Monawilkin near Derrygonnelly there was a female Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense. Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata was seen at Carricknagat Bog near Belcoo, with Pyrrhosoma also here and at Braade Bog near Derrygonnelly. | ||
| 6th June | Antrim | David Nixon |
| 2 Male Banded Demoiselles Calopteryx splendens and a Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata (first I have seen at this site) were seen along the Lagan Towpath at Lisburn, Co Antrim today. | ||
| 6th June | Waterford | (per) Paul Walsh |
| 6 Hairy
Dragonflies Brachytron pratense at Ballyscanlan Lough and forest, 4 at
Fenor Bog, on 4th June, with Four-spotted
Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata and
various damselflies at both sites. Four-spotted Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata and an Emperor Anax imperator were also reported from a pond near Clashmore in west Waterford, 3rd & 4th June, by Andrew Malcolm. |
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| 6th June | Louth | Don Hodgers |
| Knockbridge, Dundalk: A quick check at lunchtime of the Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens colony downstream from the bridge over the River Fane at Knockbridge produced about even numbers of males and females, about twenty altogether, but no mating was seen. A single female Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella was seen near the riverbank. | ||
| 6th June | Wicklow | Angus Tyner |
| One Emperor Anax imperator yesterday has turned into 3 today!! And more Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense than I've ever seen here before. About 8 inc 3 females, with a couple in a wheel. Also c10 Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata. | ||
| 6th June | Wicklow | Peter Doyle |
| 2-4 Hairy Hawker, Brachytron pratense, (at least 1 male and 1 female) in the dyke beside the BWI reserve yesterday 5/6. Also Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula and Blue-tailed Damselflies Ischnura elegans present. | ||
| 6th June | Kerry | Peter Doyle |
| With the promise of continuing good weather offering a window of opportunity for our rarest dragons I headed to Killarney on Saturday 3/6 morning, arriving at Lady’s View at 10.40. After a marched pace down through the oak woods I arrived at the small adjacent pond to Lough Beg. Within minutes I had a male Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea, flying along the edge being harassed by Four Spotted Chasers, Libellula quadrimaculata, also holding territories along the edge. It would hover for about 2-3 seconds before a ‘quad’ would have a go at it and then a high speed chase would result around the pond by the Emerald with sometimes up to two ‘quads’ in tow! It was still able to hold its own, resuming its beat and at one point two Emeralds appeared on this pond. I had a 5 minute perched view of one of them in the nearby heather. After circa half an hour I headed over to Lough Beg. Here I had possibly up to 4 Emeralds but with never more than 2 in view at the one time; giving crippling views. One hovered so close to my face at one point for about 6 seconds (that’s along time for a dragon!) that I could clearly see the hairs on the thorax! The whirring wings, apple green eyes, metallic green thorax and the up tilted bronze clubbed abdomen made for a stunning visual Irish experience! I suspected there was a bit of territorial time sharing going on as one flew over to the oak woods and a second later there was one (it or another) back on the beat. The same high speed chases of the Emeralds by ‘quads’ holding territories here were also a feature. I was satisfied that all Emeralds observed were Downys with an absolute minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 on show. By circa 14.30 hours dragon activity had dropped off significantly, presumably due to the heat. I headed back to Lady’s View for a deserved pint and drove back to Dublin, thoroughly satisfied. I have to admit with some embarrassment that I had only previously seen Downy Emeralds (and both Brilliant and Northern) at a number of sites in England and Scotland. Still, an Irish Downy Emerald was worth the wait! | ||
| 5th June | Fermanagh | D Hodgers, E Flynn, G O'Neill ,B Martin |
| Crom Estate, Co Fermanagh, 5 June 2006: At least nine Hairy Dragonflies Brachytron pratense were seen between the Boathouse and Culliagh's Wood and at least four Four-spotted Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata . Common Blue Damselflies Enallagma cyathigerum were numerous, with just a small number of Blue-tailed Damselflies Ischnura elegans. | ||
| 5th June | Wicklow | Angus Tyner |
| Confirmed my first Emperor
Anax imperator. What's
more it was a mature male patrolling my lake. I
haven't seen evidence of any emerging. I think the Little
Grebes take care of that by eating the larvae, and aided
by the Swans eating the vegetation leaving nowhere to
hide. Other news is, up to 5
Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense including
ovipositing females, a few Four-spotted Chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata are now patrolling. The 3
usual blue Damselflies, Common Blue Enallagma
cyathigerum, Azure Coenagrion
puella and Blue-tailed Ischnura
elegans and the occassional Large Red
Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula About my 27th May report, I did actually see 4 specimens of teneral females (aurantiaca phase) of Scarce Blue-tailed damselfly ischnura pumilio at the long thin pond I described then. Wasn't obvious in my report.They were seen individually at along the length of pond, suggesting that much of the pond is suitable. |
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| 4th June | Down/Antrim | Ian Rippey |
| On 3rd
June at Aughnadarragh Lake near Saintfield, Co.
Down, there was a single Hairy Dragonfly
Brachytron pratense, probably a male. I
remember seeing one last year near Carrickmannon Lake
about a mile to the north; there may also be a somewhat
older record from Aughnadarragh Lake. There was also a
mating pair, one female and one male Common
Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum, the first Northern Ireland
specimens I have heard of this year, and a female Azure
Damselfly Coenagrion puella.
Today (4th) there were about 4 Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula at Stoneyford Reservoir and also at the so-called "Rumbling Hole" Quarry at Colin Glen near Belfast, Co. Antrim, http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.5889&lon=-6.0471&scale=25000&icon=x Shallow pools in the latter looked possible for the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) but none were seen although weather was reasonable. |
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| 4th June | Louth/Armagh | Enda Flynn |
| Mullahattin,Cooley mts, had small numbers of Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula & 1 female Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense a new species for me there. Slieve Gullion forest drive pond; had one Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata & small numbers Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula | ||
| 4th June | Louth | Don Hodgers and Gerry O'Neill |
| Ratheskar,
Dunleer, Co Louth, 4 June 2006: One hour this morning
produced at least one Hairy Dragonfly
Brachytron pratense, at least four Four-spotted
Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata, five Large
Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula, ca.
fifty Azure Damselflies Coenagrion
puella and three Blue-tailed Damselflies
Ischnura elegans. There were a few very fresh
tenerals. There was a Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata in a garden in Dundalk yesterday. |
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| 3rd June | Kerry | Peter Doyle |
| 4-6 Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea here this am at Lough Beg, Killarney | ||
| 3rd June | Monaghan | Don Hodgers and Enda Flynn |
| Raferagh Lake, Co Monaghan 3 June 2006: Large numbers of Irish Damselflies Coenagrion lunulatum were present – at times ca.20 mating pairs with attendant males, and for much of the afternoon, this species was the most common damselfly in one corner of the lake. At least four Hairy Dragonflies Brachytron pratense were seen, including ovipositing females. About twelve Four-spotted Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata including immatures and mating pairs were seen. were ubiquitous and very numerous. Common Blue Damselflies Enallagma cyathigerum and Variable Damselflies Coenagrion pulchellum were also numerous, with fewer Azure Damselflies Coenagrion puella. In comparison, there were relatively few Blue-tailed Damselflies Ischnura elegans. Damselfly tenerals were very common. Temperature 22ºC, very calm, sunny. | ||
| 2nd June | Monaghan | Don Hodgers |
| Rahans Lough, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan today produced at least two Hairy Dragonflies Brachytron pratense, a male and a female; a few Banded Demoiselles Calopteryx splendens, males only today; hundreds of damselflies on the wing, especially Common Blue Damselflies, Enallagma cyathigerum, and Blue-tailed Damselflies Ischnura elegans; Azure Damselflies Coenagrion puella were also present in large numbers with smaller numbers, perhaps 30 or so Variable Damselflies Coenagrion pulchellum picked out. There were large numbers of tenerals in the bordering meadows. | ||
| 2nd June | Antrim/Fermanagh | (per) Ian Rippey |
| Today (2nd
June) was a sunny and warm day in the low 20s C. and
Odonata were very much more abundant at Montiaghs Moss
NNR near Aghalee, Co. Antrim (see http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.5365&lon=-6.3058&scale=25000&icon=x) than on 25th when I could finbd
only a single male Irish Damselfly Coenagrion
lunulatum. In
fact on 2nd the latter was easily the most abundant
Odonata species, with probably at least 50 seen. These
were mostly mature males flying over the bog pools, but
there were 2 or 3 mating pairs. Variable
Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum though common was barely half as
abundant Hairy
Dragonfly Brachytron pratense was as
common as I have ever seen it there; as well as a mating
pair and an ovipositing female (in Potamogeton spp.)
there were probably 6-8 males; to see this in double
figures is unusual. Four-spotted Chasers
Libellula quadrimaculata were however even more
abundant, with probably at least 40 (counts should be
regarded as approximate and possibly a considerable
under-estimate). A few Blue-tailed damselflies Ischnura
elegans and Large
Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula were also seen. There may have been
a few Azure Damselflies also, but I did not any to check.
Mrs. Hannah Northridge also reports a Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense at Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, on 1st June. |
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| 2nd June | Kildare | Peter Doyle |
| With the temperature on the rise yesterday I headed to Ballinafagh Lake/bog, County Kildare. Compared to previous years when by this date the place could be heaving with dragons, the pickings were rather lean. 10 Hairy Hawkers, Brachytron pratense (9 males and 1 female ovipositing), only 6 Four Spotted Chasers, Libellula quadrimaculata, 30+ Common Blue, E.cyathigerum and Variable, C.pulchellum, Damsels, a lot of Blue tailed Damsels, I.elegans, including many on their maiden flight and only 1 male Large Red Damselfly, P.nymphula. I think it’s the first visit I’ve had where Brachytron has outnumbered ‘quads’. I searched favoured areas extensively for Black Tailed Skimmer, O.cancellatum but not one was seen, possibly due to the recently persistent northerly air flow. Still, an enjoyable day, with great views of the Hairy Dragonfly and plenty of Green Tiger Beetles. | ||
| 1st June | Monaghan | Enda Flynn |
| 5pm- 6.30pm at Rahans lake 100+ blues (commons,azures,bluetails&variables) loads of unidentified tenerals but highlight was 4-5 Banded Demoiselles Calopteryx splendens | ||
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