Dragonflies and damselflies are fascinating creatures, with a rich and ancient history. Did you know that dragonflies made their mark on earth long before humans? In fact, they’ve been around for 300 million years and fossil dragonflies have been found with wingspans of up to two feet!

Prolific in art, storytelling and poetry, English folklore tells us that dragonflies have been subject to some pretty dark-sounding names - Darning Needle, Horse Stinger, Eye Poker and Adder’s Servant. In truth, dragonflies do not sting and prefer to keep their distance from us and other animals – insects excluded.

Dragonflies prey on the likes of flies, midges and mosquitos and are one of the animal kingdom’s most successful predators, catching around 95% of their targets – all in flight. The mobility of dragonflies is captivating to watch too – they can fly straight up and down, hover like a helicopter and mate in mid-air.

The summer months are the prime time to get out dragonfly and damselfly spotting so let us introduce you to six species that you can find locally.

Large Red damselfly

This is the earliest flyer you are likely to see locally - on the wing during spring. The Large Red damselfly patrols the edges of pools and lakes, whilst on cooler days they may inspire closer examination as they come to land on posts or reeds. Away from breeding grounds, you may also spot this species in grassland or woodland habitats, and gardens too. As its name suggests, the male of the species is bright red but the female can be almost entirely black with a variable amount of red on her abdomen.

Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly

This medium-sized, common dragonfly can be seen in summer around ponds and lakes, easily identifiable by its broad, flattened-looking body – true to its name! The male has a powdery-blue body with yellow spots down the side and a dark thorax, whereas the female is greeny brown. This dragonfly often returns to the same perch after quick darts out over the water – worth bearing in mind if you want to capture it on camera!

Willow Emerald damselfly

Look in waterside Willow bushes and you might come across the Willow Emerald damselfly. Whilst the majority of damselfly species will hold their wings closed, this is one of the minority ‘spreadwing’ species who hold their legs at a 45 degree angle from their body. If you’re not lucky enough to spot the damselfly itself, you can still check out the Willow’s branches and look for the crescent-shaped ridges where the female has laid her eggs under the bark - the ridges are the trees’ reaction to these foreign bodies.

Banded Demoiselle

This stunning damselfly is our largest and one that thrives on rivers. Stroll along the river bank on a sunny summer day to be in with the best chance of seeing these beauties – the males have blue-banded wings, whilst the females are bronze-winged and green-bodied – metallic and shiny, they are a sight to behold. If you are fortunate enough to see a male perched, notice the habitual way that it opens and closes its wings – perhaps this is part of their display to attract a mate!

Emperor dragonfly

One of the largest dragonfly species in Europe, the Emperor dragonfly flies up high to look for bigger insect-prey, such as butterflies and chaser dragonflies, which it catches in mid-air. This impressively large and colourful dragonfly is found near ponds, lakes, canals and flooded gravel pits. Male Emperor dragonflies are pale blue, with an apple-green thorax and a black stripe running the length of the body - females are similar, but a duller greeny-blue. Both sexes have greeny-blue eyes. This species is recognised by the combination of its large size and mostly blue colour.

Common Darter

A narrow-bodied dragonfly, this is a common species that can be seen throughout summer and autumn. The male is bright red, whilst the female and immature adults are both golden-brown and hard to differentiate. This species hovers around all kinds of waterbodies, from ditches to lakes, darting forward suddenly to surprise their prey. Once captured, they will often take it to a favourite perch to devour it.

Where to see dragonflies and damselflies in Hertfordshire and Middlesex

Across the region, we have some fantastic hunting grounds for dragonflies and damselflies, here are six of our top picks:

Panshanger Park

This month, Panshanger Park, near Welwyn Garden City, becomes Hertfordshire’s first Dragonfly Hotspot. The site was chosen because as well as being a fantastic place for dragonflies and damselflies to live and thrive, it also has easy access for visitors, giving them a great chance to see these amazing insects.  July also sees the official opening of a new dragonfly trail at Panshanger Park, featuring interpretation boards, which provide interesting information about these amazing creatures, their conservation and features of the trail. Bring your friends and  family and be part of the Dragonfly Hotspot Celebration at Panshanger, which is taking place on 29 July. Then, and throughout the school summer holidays, you’ll be able to pick up a family-friendly quiz sheet at the trails’ start at Thieves Lane car park (charges apply). For a different dragonfly experience, check out the links to our guided Dragonfly Walks at Panshanger Park, suitable for adults and children over eight, on 19 August and 16 September.

King’s Meads Nature Reserve

One of the largest water-meadow sites in Hertfordshire and well known for its dragonflies and damselflies, King’s Meads, near Ware, has its own dragonfly trail. Over 18 species have been recorded here, including the rare Norfolk Hawker – a pale brown dragonfly with distinguishing yellow-triangle marking; Hairy dragonfly – often referred to as ‘Hairies’; and, the previously mentioned, Emperor dragonfly. You can join us for a guided walk ‘Dragonflies of King’s Meads’ on the morning of 12 July – just click on the link for more details and to register.

Amwell Nature Reserve

This former gravel pit, near Ware, bustles with wild activity and puts it on the map as one of the most important places for wildlife in Hertfordshire. The reserve is home to 21 species of dragonflies and damselflies, and features its own dragonfly trail, which is usually open from May to September. The trail, which runs alongside Hollycross Lake, provides the opportunity to watch these fascinating creatures catching their prey over the water, close-up.

Hilfield Park Reservoir

You’ll need to be a member of the Trust to visit this site and then only by prior arrangement (full details can be found on the reserve page on our website). Whilst that may take a little organising, the reward could be seeing large groups of Migrant Hawker dragonflies feeding over the water. Watch these, our fastest dragonflies, from July to the late Autumn at this site, in solitude!

Stockers Lake

Another former gravel pit, offering a large expanse of water, this site in the Colne Valley is great for dragonfly and damselfly hunts. Look for the thousands of damselflies as well as dragonflies such as the Emperor and Broad-bodied Chaser.  

Fir and Pond Woods

If the summer sun has you seeking shade, head to Fir and Pond Woods and take a gentle meander past the reserve’s ponds - sixteen species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded here, including the aptly named Azure damselfly and Brown Hawker, as well as the Emperor dragonfly.

Top tips!

Look around - Don’t just look on the water margins for damselflies – if there is tall grass in adjacent meadows you are just as likely to spot them there. This habitat offers plenty of potential for small insect prey where they can build themselves up before returning to the water to fight for a mate!

Look up – Where you will find dragonflies and damselflies you are also likely to see those who prey upon them. As they fly high in the air, they can be spotted by Hobbies and migratory falcons – opportunists who will catch the insects in mid-air and eat them on the wing.

For more dragonfly and damselfly species information, check out our wildlife explorer pages. Enjoy your own close-up encounter this summer with these ancient wildlife wonders!