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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🐉 Odonatography – the wonders of dragonfly flight Join Steve Cham at our Annual Meeting to explore how photography can reveal the incredible aerial agility of dragonflies as they hunt, fight and mate. 📅 14 Nov | 📍 Milton Keynes 🎟️ british-dragonflies.org.uk/event/bds-an...

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Immature female Red-veined Darter, recently emerged from an E Devon Beaver pond on 22 Sept. - one of 5 within 50m of the pond. Also a female and a mating pair from the previous generation! @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The dragonfly season is not over yet! Red-veined Darter emerging 22 Sept at E Devon Beaver pond. Will this generation migrate back south, as Painted Lady does? @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Our AGM is on 14 November in Milton Keynes. You don't need to be a member to come along (just don't vote during the 10 minutes when we do actual AGM business!). Interesting #dragonfly talks and nice people to talk to. british-dragonflies.org.uk/event/bds-an...

british-dragonflies.org.uk

BDS Annual Meeting 2026 - British Dragonfly Society

Join us for in-person Annual General Meeting for a day of inspiration, discovery and celebration of dragonflies and their wetland habitats.

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

That's an unprecedented number of Lesser Emperors in Devon!

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Jacob Wood @jacob-wood.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Juv. Caspian Gull on the rocks at Froward Point today- my 1st juv. and 1st for the site. Also 10+ Lesser Emperors around Froward Cove/Old Mill Bay and another 3 in fields behind Colaton Fishacre! #ukbirding #devonbirds

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British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

🔎🐉 Training gives people the skills to identify, record and monitor dragonflies, helping us understand how populations are changing. 💚 Your donation could help us provide more training across the UK! 👉 www.justgiving.com/campaign/hel...

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

🐉 Our BDS Youth Panel meets online every two months for training, dragonfly ID and to help shape our plans for the year. We'd love to do more, including bringing the panel together in person each year. 💚 Your support could help make that happen! 👉 www.justgiving.com/campaign/hel...

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

🐉 The dragonfly season isn’t over yet! Keep your eyes peeled for species like the Common Darter and keep recording your sightings. 🔎 Your records help us understand how dragonflies are changing across the UK. 💚 Support our work today: www.justgiving.com/campaign/hel... 📸 Dave Smallshire

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Small action. Big Impact. 🐉💚 Your donation could make a big difference for dragonflies! We have launched a fundraising campaign to raise £50,000 as dragonflies and wetlands need our help more than ever. 👉 Donate today - www.justgiving.com/campaign/hel...

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Never seen this before: Southern Hawker egg-laying into Iris leaf 30cm over pond! @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

📢 Bookings now open for our Annual Meeting 2026! 🐉 Join us on 14 November in Milton Keynes for a day of inspiring talks and the chance to catch up with fellow dragonfly enthusiasts. 🎟️ Free to attend (donations welcome). Book your place: british-dragonflies.org.uk/event/bds-an...

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

A quick reminder that it's easy to submit records of your #dragonfly & #damselfly sightings online. We recommend irecord which has a special form for easy entry of multiple odonata sightings at the same spot. Your local dragonfly recorder will see it & if you include a photo they can help with ID.

irecord.org.uk

Home | iRecord

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

5 hours later and this is all that remains of the Southern Hawker! The wasp has been working hard. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Finally Willow Emerald Damselfly has reached Devon! A male found today in a former quarry pool in East Devon. Long anticipated, but not the easiest species to find. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Beaver pond and flushes at amazing site with restricted access in E Devon held: 11 Scarce Blue-t D (mix of old and new; new site c25km from nearest source); c50 Small Red D; 1 Norfolk Hawker; 5 Less Emperor (2 prs egg-laying); & 36-50 Red-v Darters (10 prs egg-laying) @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Saw 6 Southern Migrant Hawkers around muddy, grazed dry ditches at Exminster Marshes today (image shows one that held 2 males), while a further 7 males and a female egg-laying alone reported 1km away at Matford Marshes @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

3 stunning male Southern Migrant Hawkers again today near Exminster, Devon, but no sign of female. Also 3 Lesser Emperors over Exeter Canal (end of Station Road). @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Southern Migrant Hawker is breeding in Devon! 4+ (inc pr egglaying) at dry pool in Devon Wildfowling and Conservation Association reserve near Exminster today. 2 previous Devon records, so these prob arrived in earlier year. Thanks to DWCA for access & management @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

All SMH were in this small depression, a dried up pond with damp cattle footprints

Eggs were laid in tandem into footprints, out of sight apart from male's blue eyes!

Eggs were laid in this damp footprint over several minutes

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Southern Hawker no. 17 from my pond was unlucky on its maiden flight yesterday, but the sparrow chicks had a feast! @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Male Lesser Emperor and 7 Scarce Chasers on territory at Decoy Lake, Newton Abbot, today, viewed from fishing platforms on the north side.

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

The tenth Southern Hawker to emerge from my pond in the last two weeks preparing to take off. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Just love the intricate wing venation on this Southern Hawker - compare the newly-expanded wing with that of the wing-sheaths on the exuvia! Note also how 3-D the wings are - not at all flat. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

After yesterday's Southern Hawker exuvia, here's a second one today - but this time with the adult still there, waiting for a bit of sun! @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

My second earliest exuvia of Southern Hawker in my Devon pond today. Not too surprising given other early emerging dragonflies in recent days. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social. Note the eyes smaller than in Emperor, which is busy emerging currently. White strands are the linings of the tracheae.

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Despite the hot weather I was still surprised to see newly-emerged Emerald Damselfly and Common Darter today at Ventiford Ponds (private), ,S Devon. 12 other species included Red-eyed Damselflies, 6 Hairy Dragonflies (1 egg-laying) & 8 Downy Emeralds (+2 exuviae) @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Serin in my Seaton back garden for about ten seconds at 7pm tonight. Last seen flying off west. Managed a brief recording of three calls, heard six or seven trills in total. Bit of a surprise whilst enjoying some coffee and cake with my family! #ukbirding

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

14 species of dragonflies on today's BDS walk at Stover. Highlight was male Red-veined Darter over lake, plus lots of Hairy Dr, 4+ Downy Emeralds, Scarce Chaser and first Black-t Skimmer of the year. Perfect Bee Orchids & Dingy Skipper bonuses. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

A row around the margins of Stover Lake today produced at least 14 Hairy Dragonflies, 3 Downy Emeralds and a recently emerged Scarce Chaser - the first conclusive proof of breeding in the Bovey Basin, S Devon.

Scarce Chaser Libellula fulva recently emerged

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

Martin Elcoate @melcoate.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Bonaparte’s Gull - a quick glance at the gulls from home while I waited for my toast and I thought one looked a bit interesting. Grabbed the scope and sure enough the interesting gull was a first year Bonaparte’s Gull. Time for a few record shots before getting back to work. Topsham, Devon #Gulls

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

Mike Langman @clennonvalley.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Great seawatch at #BerryHead #Devon 0545-1025hrs Highlights: 1 ad Sabine’s Gull, 1 Little Gull, 1 Little Tern, 2-3 E Storm Petrels, 878 Manxies, 3 GN Divers, 6 Puffins, 120+ Kittiwakes including 44 1st Summers, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Lots of Octopus being caught by crabbing boat.

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Wishing a very happy 100th birthday to Sir David Attenborough, Patron of the British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social and world class communicator. Here's an image of Attenborough's Pintail from Madagascar, named after the great man on his 90th birthday.

Attenborough's Pintail (Acisoma attenboroughi)

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

Marc Heath @marcheath.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

It won't be long until the Dainty Damselfly starts to emerge, so now is a good time to get familiar with the identification of the species. There are probably unfound colonies out there still waiting to be found. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @smallshire.bsky.social #KentDragonflies

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

7 dragonfly spp at Ventiford near Stover today: Devon's earliest ever Downy Emerald (4 terr. males, 19 exuviae, 5 emerging - first proof of breeding here) & Red-eyed Damselflies. Also 8 Hairy Dr, Beaut Dem, Azure, Large Red and Blue-tailed. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @marcheath.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Saw my first of the year yesterday too, in Devon. Also pleased to find an exuvia at an urban fringe SUDS pond! @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

A great lineup for the end of April!

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

A welcome visitor to my S Devon garden: a recently emerged male Broad-bodied Chaser - my first of the year.

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Inputting sightings to BirdTrack: on this day in 1968 walk from Gradbach to Roaches across N Staffs Moors produced B Grouse, 38 R Grouse, G Plover, Curlew, Snipe, S-e Owl, Wheatears, 3 R Ouzel & 3 Y Wags over. Wonder what walk today would produce! @btobirds.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social)

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

First signs of Large Red Damselflies emerging from my pond today, and significant activity from Red Mason Bees also. Drone Fly in flight showing front legs tucked behind head, like dragonflies do!

Large Red Damselflies emerging from larval skins

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Just found 12 recently moulted Southern Hawker skins in this tiny pond.

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Good to see my first Large Red Damselflies (3 tenerals) of the year today at Stover CP, Devon.

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

Mark D @seaskywatch.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Back to Cockwood today as my views of a distant 'orange-billed' Tern weren't great and certainly inconclusive on 03/12. But today though distantly perched it did one circuit our way and gave great in-flight scope views. A few quick shots with a 400mm lens. Happy I've seen Lesser Crested Tern👍

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

2 pairs of Common Darters egglaying in the newly-restored Serpentine lake at Stover today!

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Marc Heath @marcheath.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

I am leading a course next year on behalf of Kent Wildlife Trust 'An introduction to Dragonflies and Damselflies'. See below for further details. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events/intro...

kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

An introduction to dragonflies and damselflies

Learn about the life cycles and habitats of dragonflies and aids to identification. Then participate in a field study of adult dragonflies.

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Reposted by Dave Smallshire

British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

The latest BDS Journal is available online, where you can also access previous issues 👉 british-dragonflies.org.uk/bds-journal/

british-dragonflies.org.uk

BDS Journal - British Dragonfly Society

Image: Broad-bodied Chaser by Bruce Hyde

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

This is unfortunate the Sparrowhawk. It only flew a couple of feet, but out of view. It flew to our fence, but dropped the dove on the floor. I couldn't see the hawk, but when I went to look at the dove, the hawk flew from nearby past my face! Magpies found the dove and removed it in no time!

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Dave Smallshire @smallshire.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

After hearing loud thump on my study window, I discovered a young Sparrowhawk sitting on pondweed in the middle of my pond. What was even more surprising was that when it took off it pulled a Collared Dove out of the water beneath it!

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