Dragonflies

Sites in natural countryside are likely to be better than those in plantations or farmland areas. In summer a walk along Wiltshire’s rivers, the Kennet and Avon canal can reveal a wealth of dragonflies, damselflies, darters and chasers.

Ponds, lakes and slow flowing rivers support the best number of these species. Of these habitats ordinary garden ponds host the most common species, these species are common as there are numerous garden ponds throughout Wiltshire to support them.

The species that are found on static water bodies include Four-spotted Chaser, Broad-Bodied Chaser and Black-tailed skimmer earlier in the year, followed later by Common Darter and Ruddy Darter.

Faster flowing streams and rivers are the preferred habitat of the Banded Demoiselle which is enountered on faster stretches of the Bybrook and it's tributaries. The Golden-ringed Dragonfly is also frequntly found in this habitat, but mainly on slower flowing streams.

Probably the best site in Wiltshire to find dragonflies, damselflies, darters and chasers is at the Cotswold Water Park in the north of the County on the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire border. The park was created after the old gravel pits flooded and now boasts the most wonderful array of these species including Emperor Dragonfly, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Large Red Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly which has been known to breed at the Park.

To find out more take a look at the County Recorders dragonflies pages.