The new dragonfly season has already started despite the generally cool recent conditions! There have already been records of Large Red Damselflies, Variable Damselfly and even one Common Clubtail, and more are set to follow very shortly, especially if the weather warms up a bit.
Web page for 2017 Dragonfly news and Photographs
As the British Dragonfly Society (BDS) Recorder for Oxfordshire, I am again planning to collate records for dragonflies and damselflies in Oxfordshire and to regularly update a page on my website which aims to give the latest information on what is happening on the dragonfly and damselfly front in the County.
To work well, this needs as many as possible to contribute their sightings so these can be shared with others. Photographs will also be added to break up the text.
So if you see or photograph any dragonflies or damselflies in Oxfordshire this season, please let me know, and I will post your records and photos at http://www.stephenburch.com/dragonflies/oxondnews2017.htm .
This page also contains information on how to submit records both for the page and to the BDS, via their nowpreferred iRecord system.
Topics for 2017
Club-tailed Dragonflies (or Common Clubtail)
Hopefully most with an interest in dragonflies in the county are aware by now of the BDS organised Common Clubtail count. There are a reasonable number of squares that have now been adopted by volunteers but there are still plenty of gaps to fill, especially upstream of Oxford.
So if you haven't done so already, and are interested in taking part, it isn't too late to get in touch with the BDS who are still looking for volunteers to 'adopt' 1km squares (or monads) which need to be visited at least three times between now and the end of July.
For further information on the count and contact details for the organisers, see http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/node/7138
I am also maintaining a dedicated webpage for 2017 Oxon Clubtail records on my website here
I am also maintaining a dedicated webpage for 2017 Oxon Clubtail records on my website here
Club-tailed Dragonfly (c) Stephen Burch
Variable Damselflies
Variable Damselflies have already been reported this year from the pool at Barton Fields near to Abingdon and last year another colony was found by the Thames at Iffley Meadows. Perhaps there are new sites to be found in 2017 - so all Clubtail counters should keep an eye open for Variables!
Variable Damselfly, Barton Fields (c) Stephen Burch
Willow Emeralds
Willow Emeralds continued their spread westwards last year, and have now reached neighbouring Berks and Bucks. It can be only a matter of time before they reach Oxon. This is a late season species - so please keep an eye out for them from August onwards - you could find the first ever recorded in Oxon!
Information on Dragonflies and Damselflies in the County
If you are new to dragonflies, you might find the section of my website devoted to dragonflies in the County of interest - at http://www.stephenburch.com/dragonflies/OxonDragons.htm
This has a number of separate pages including:
- Where to find dragonflies in Oxfordshire – an updated site guide
- An illustrated list of the dragonflies and damselflies in the County
BDS Dragonfly Recorder for Oxfordshire (VC23)
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