Species to look out for.....

Just to mention Small Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum -as yet unrecorded in Shropshire, but recorded in neighbouring counties. We are now in the flight period for this species so please do look carefully at any red eyed damselflies. The photographs below (taken from the British Dragonfly Society website) show the 2 similar species:

Above is a male Red-eyed Damselfy Erythromma najas. Only segments 1,9 and 10 of the abdomen are blue and the wings extend a good way down the abdomen. This species is fairly widespread in Shropshire and well recorded.

Above is a male Small Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum. Segments 1,9 and 10 of the abdomen are blue in addition to the sides of segments 2,3 and 8. There is a also a black X mark on segment 10 and the wings do not extend as far down the abdomen. This species has never been recorded in Shropshire- chances are the first ever sightings if they happen will be in the SE of the county.

 

And also, we have have no reported sightings of Migrant Hawker yet so please let me know if you see one....