Dragonfly species in Northumberland (1 Viewer)

[MH68]

I`ve managed to see and photograph Migrant Hawkers, Common Darters, Common Blue, Large Red, Blue Tailed and Emerald Damselflies up here so far but was wondering which other species reach this far North. There seems to be very little info online regarding the distribution of Dragonfly species up here.

Appreciate any help/info with this,
cheers,
Mark H

 

[level seven]

Hi Mark

I can't help as such, but I remembered a post by Harry Eales a few weeks ago about what damselflies are likely to be found in this part of the country.

To quote:

"Large Red, Blue-tailed, Common Blue, Azure or Common Emerald

Northumberland is too far north for most of the southern species and too far south for the Scottish specialities".

I don't know about dragonflies though.

 

[MH68]

Thanks Graham. Going to try a search through these forums to see what else I can come up with.

Mark H

 

[HarassedDad]

All distribution records are available here
http://www.searchnbn.net/

 

[MH68]

Just had a good look at that link. great help, much appreciated.

Mark H

 

[Steve Dudley]

Hi Mark, a word of caution with NBN Gateway lists etc. Some of the records included are unvetted and all sorts of rubbish gets in to the database (e.g. there is a record of Azure Hawker in the London area on their distribution map!). So don't use this site as gospel for any species presence in N'land.

Steve
Watching British Dragonflies at Birdfair 2007 - www.wildlifebooks.com

 

[MH68]

Hi Steve, yes i`d thought of that.Looking at the NE distribution maps of other species I know, the maps do seem vague at best but better than nothing. Hopefully i`ll get a few replies from members from the area with some more reliable info.
Bumped into a lad on Saturday while out with the camera who told me of a site near me which has Four Spotted Chasers during June/July.....he seemed pretty clued up but i`ll have to wait until next year now to check out the area for these.

Mark H

 

[Brian Bullough]

Hi MH68

I am in the same boat so to speak finding Dragonflies in the Northumberland area especially this year is proving hard and trying to get info is just as hard we seem to be in the Badlands as far as species numbers go, but it makes what you find yourself all that more special.
Brian

 

[level seven]

I've just been for a walk round Gosforth Reserve. From the main hide I saw a large dragonfly which from looking at the British Dragonfly Society website looks to me like an Emperor Dragonfly, Anax imperator. It definitely had a green head and bright blue abdomen.

The site says its widespread in southern England but is spreading its range northwards. Then from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust site it says there are few records north of the Humber.

Are there any confusion species, does anyone know?

 

[MH68]

You`re absolutely right Brian. If you`re struggling for info too, i`d be happy to pass on anything i come across, either via pm or on this thread?

Mark H

 

[MH68]

Hi Graham,At Gosforth Park theyre more likely either Southern or Migrant Hawkers from my experience there.Theyre the only 2 large Dragonfly species i`ve come across there, during a LOT of visits.If it appeared to have a green head Southern Hawker sounds most likely for there.I`ll have to get across there soon for a look.

Mark H

 

[Mouldy]

Could easily be an emperor from the description, they are pretty easy to distinguish from the majority of hawkers. I'm not too far south of you here in Gateshead and we get a handful each year, have a look on www.gatesheadbirders.co.uk for records (hasn't been updated much of late cos the editor is on holiday but look in the insect section for 2006 will show you what we get these parts) and I wouldn't take too much notice of distribution maps, they tend to be out of date by the time they're published, especially with dragonflies as more people are getting interested in them and filing records.

Hope thats of help lads.

cheers

 

[MH68]

Just had a quick look at last years records on that link Mouldy, i`ll check the site out in more detail when i have more time.Theres a few species on there I didnt realise reached this far north so thats a great help.Some nice pics too.Thanks mate.

Mark H

 

[level seven]

Hi Graham,At Gosforth Park theyre more likely either Southern or Migrant Hawkers from my experience there.Theyre the only 2 large Dragonfly species i`ve come across there, during a LOT of visits.If it appeared to have a green head Southern Hawker sounds most likely for there.I`ll have to get across there soon for a look.

It's abdomen was a lot bluer though Mark and the head/thorax much more of an unbroken green. I got a very good view of it and the impression was of a very large and colourful dragonfly. The picture of a male in flight from the BDS website http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/frameset.htm?home&home is a dead ringer for what I saw. It's only the fact that it's distribution is mostly further south which left any doubt at all in my mind.

But since my first post I've looked at the distribution map on the site quoted by HarrassedDad, which has records on Tyneside and as far north as the Dundee area. And a friend's book, a recent one, has it as being found fairly commonly on Tyneside and Northumberland especially near the coast.

I'm sure that's what I saw.

 

[level seven]

Could easily be an emperor from the description, they are pretty easy to distinguish from the majority of hawkers.

Hope thats of help lads.

cheers

It does, thanks Mouldy.

 

[MH68]

Hi again Graham, yes I checked the distribution maps too after my reply. Your description sounds good to me.Apologies if i came across as disregarding your suggestion of it being an Emperor, was just going off my own experience there.I`ll check with Paul next time i`m down there to see if Emperors have been reported in the past at G.P. If not it`ll be a first for the reserve.
I also noted on those maps that Brown Hawkers have been noted at Arcot Hall near me, another one to watch out for.

Mark H

 

[level seven]

Hi again Graham, yes I checked the distribution maps too after my reply. Your description sounds good to me.Apologies if i came across as disregarding your suggestion of it being an Emperor, was just going off my own experience there.

No offence taken at all. After all, I'm at the dragon/damselfly/butterfly equivalent stage of not knowing a robin from a redstart! Although I'm learning fast I hope.

If I'd known at the time what I'd seen I would have put it in the book on the way out. If I'm back there in the next day or two I will.

 

[brianfm]

I have recently found Common Blue and Blue Tailed Dameselflies and Four Spotted Chaser Dragonfly in Swallow Ponds Wallsend. Ruddy Darters should be quite common too and I have seen one in Holywell Dene, Black Darter less common. Brown Hawker and Golden Ringed Dragonfly can be found in Northumberland too. A good field guide is Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland/Steve Brooks and Richard Lewington

 

[MH68]

I`m in the same boat Graham, although with the wealth of ID info on here and elsewhere online it is fairly easy to pick things up quickly. If only there was the same amount of info for species up here lol.
Forgot to mention earlier, but keep an eye out for Hawkers if youre in the feeding station hide,seen quite a few around there, and they also seem to use the bushes in that area to shelter if the weathers dodgy.Might bump into you down there soon....

Mark H

 

[MH68]

I have recently found Common Blue and Blue Tailed Dameselflies and Four Spotted Chaser Dragonfly in Swallow Ponds Wallsend. Ruddy Darters should be quite common too and I have seen one in Holywell Dene, Black Darter less common. Brown Hawker and Golden Ringed Dragonfly can be found in Northumberland too. A good field guide is Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland/Steve Brooks and Richard Lewington

Crikey this threads getting busy now :t:

Despite only putting a pond in the back garden a few months ago, i`ve had Large Red Damsels,Common Darters and an unidentified Hawker species(only a brief glimpse) around the pond already.
Just up the road at Basington NR (next to Wilkinson Sword) i`ve noted Common Darters, Emerald, Common Blue and Blue Tailed Damsels, and one Southern Hawker which i was lucky to get pics of.Also noted Hawkers along the lane leading down to Arcot Hall from Beaconhill.
I`ve been told of Four Spotted Chasers at Arcot Hall(gone now apparently), as well as Azure Damsels and the previously mentioned report of Brown Hawker.
Been told East Cramlington pond is a very good Ruddy Darter site so going to check that one out soon.Banded Demoiselles have apparently been noted along the River Blyth just up the road too so got that to check out also.Paul at GP told me last year of a Black Darter he saw while working at Prestwick Carr so theyre not too far away either.

Mark H