Hairy Dragonfly

Distribution: The only records for the Hairy Dragonfly in Wiltshire are from Braydon Pond, near Minety, in 1963 and 1967, and on the Kennet and Avon canal, near the Dundas aqueduct, in1982. There was a possible sighting of a pair on 6th July 1999 in Gopher Wood on the North Pewsey Downs. This is quite a late date for the species as it is an early flyer for an Aeshnid – May and June – but July records are not unknown. Since this dragonfly is known to be expanding its range it will be one to watch out for during the coming seasons. Because of its early flight period, however, it can be easily overlooked and there may already be undiscovered sites for it in Wiltshire.

News: The staff at the National Trust 'Stourhead' property have reported seeing this species around the main lake in early summer 2009, the Hairy Dragonfly is currently enjoying a national range expansion and is now not as rare as it was in the eighties & nineties. Hopefully it is colonising Wiltshire, the County Recorder hopes to search for this species in 2010 and find proof of breeding.

Identification: The Hairy Dragonfly is the rarest Wiltshire hawker. It's early flight period makes it unlikely to be on the wing at the same time as any similar species. The long thin pterostigma is diagnostic.

County Status: Not known to breed.