Countdown tothe Hairy Dragonfly and Large Red Damselfly.

[Wild-Woman]

Not unheard of for these to start emerging this month. So let us know when the first ones are spotted. I can't wait!

[Gill Catton]

still no odonata from the pond at work (not that we have hairy - but certainly have large red damsel)

[Hedge Witch]

Brill idea WW. I will look those up in my book in anticipation. It seems like ages since I've seen a Dragonfly. Oh how I miss them

[earthdragon64]

I think the earliest I have seen Large Red Damsels locally was on the 28th of April 2 or 3 years ago, we don't get Hairy Dragonfly around here.

[Fourwings]

I'd expect to see Large Reds at Priory Water by the end of next week if the past few years are anything to go by, especially since the average temperatures have been so good over the last week or two.
I dont think you'll see Hairy Dragonflies in April unless you are very very lucky!!

[RoyW]

The first Large Red Damsel's have already been reported in Kent and the Gateshead area, both on 31st March (see British Dragonfly Society hot news page + Gateshead Birders website).

I've been looking - no luck yet though!

[Ollie]

Will certainly post when the first Hairy Dragonflies appear on my local patch. First one I photographed in 2007 was 30th April. First one in 2008 was not until the 10th May.

[Fourwings]

The average date for the appearance Hairy Dragonfly in Leicestershire is around 7th May, but as with most Odonata weather conditions and more importantly water temperatures can have a large effect on this.
My feelings are that if it continues to stay warm then the Odonata season should get off to a great start.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by Fourwings

The average date for the appearance Hairy Dragonfly in Leicestershire is around 7th May, but as with most Odonata weather conditions and more importantly water temperatures can have a large effect on this.
My feelings are that if it continues to stay warm then the Odonata season should get off to a great start.

You'll hear me cheering from Kent Steve. Seems so long ago since there was an odonate about. Last season here seemed stop so abruptly...one that really never reached it's full potential in any case in my opinion, so I'm feeling a bit starved of my favourite insects.

[Dragoner]

Never seen a hairy myself, so will be interested to hear of any round the Surrey area.

I think it was more toward the end of the April before I saw my first large red (in Richmond Park) last year, but there were a lot around so obviously had started emerging a week or two earlier.

Stephen