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An Oxfordshire Dragonfly and Damselfly site guide

In contrast to wealth of local information on birding, I am unaware of much information online about where best to find dragonflies in Oxfordshire. For birders, a site guide book covers the county and there are online blogs for two of the three main birding sites (Otmoor and Port Meadow). Apart from a useful but obscure booklet "The Dragonflies of Oxfordshire" by Anthony Brownett published in 1996, there is little information for the dragonfly watcher apart from the information below.

I hope this page, with the others on this site on dragonflies in Oxon, will help to increase interest in dragonflies in the county. I freely admit my local knowledge of dragonfly sites is limited, and I would welcome contributions from others with additional information. All the photos shown below were taken at the sites mentioned.

Dragonflies and Damselflies in Oxfordshire
In general terms, Oxfordshire is not a particularly exceptional county for dragonflies and damselflies, mainly due to the almost total absence of acidic heath or marsh habitats. Nevertheless, there are plenty of the commoner species, to be expected in southern England. In terms of the largest and most obvious species, some of the hawkers (Emperor, Migrant, Brown and Southern) are well represented. Darters and chasers and the commoner damselflies also occur in good numbers in the right habitats.

In terms of localised or nationally rare species, Oxfordshire is notable for Club-tailed Dragonfly along the river Thames. Hairy Dragonfly can be found at Otmoor, Small red-eyed Damselflies also have a toe-hold at least in the county, and the rare Lesser Emperor has been seen at a couple of sites. Southern Damselfly, Small-red Damselfly and Keeled Skimmer can also be found, although at only one or two sites.

Species List
For the list of dragonflies and damselflies in Oxfordshire, click here.

Sites
This section has information on the following sites:

• Otmoor RSPB Reserve
• Radley Lakes
• Barton Fields near Abingdon
• River Thames at Goring
• Dry Sandford Pit
• Cothill Fen and Parsonage Moor
• River Thames at Farmoor
• Tar Lakes near Witney
• Cholsey Marsh BBOWT reserve
• Faringdon Folly Park Pond
• Trap Grounds, Oxford
  

Access:
To reach the RSPB car park, in the village of Beckley, go past the Abingdon Arms pub, bear left, and then sharp left down Otmoor lane. Continue to the end. Access to Otmoor is also possible from other villages, including Noke and Oddington.

Links:
Otmoor Blog
RSPB website

Habitat:
Extensive reed beds, pools and ditches. Grassy fields, mature hedgerows.

Description:
In terms of sheer numbers, Otmoor is probably Oxfordshire's premier dragonfly site. On a fine day in mid summer, the relatively newly created ditches are alive with masses of the commoner species. Indeed Hobbies know all about this abundant source of one of their main prey items, and are frequently in attendance in the summer months, once the day has warmed up!

Early in the season, Otmoor is probably at its most interesting for the keen dragonfly watcher, with the localised Hairy Dragonfly the main target. At this time of year, there can also be good numbers of Four Spotted Chasers. For Hairies, try both sides of the main east/west track, especially the section between the turn off to the blinds (by the new hide) and Noke. They can be seen patrolling low over the ditches on the north side of the track, and are also sometimes to be found over and in the vegetation and hedge on the south side. With patience, a visit on a good day in late May should be successful. In windy conditions, the Roman Road behind the car park can also be good for many species as it is often a sheltered spot. Azure Damselflies are often present here in their hundreds. Another interesting species sometimes to be seen early on is the Large Red Damselfly. In 2010 it has become clear that Downy Emerald can also be found here early in the season, although it is only recorded typically once a year.

Later in the season, large numbers of Black-tailed Skimmers appear, along with good numbers of Southern and Brown Hawkers. Common Darter are very numerous. Otmoor is also probably the best site in the county for Emerald Damselfly. A recent addition to the Otmoor site list is Beautiful Demoiselle (first record in 2012). Towards the end of the season, Common and Ruddy Darters, as well as Migrant Hawkers can be readily found.

Notable species

• Hairy Dragonfly
• Downy Emerald
• Emerald Damselfly
• Four spotted Chaser
• Broad-bodied Chaser
• Southern, Brown and Migrant Hawkers
• Large numbers of Common and Ruddy Darter
• Red-eyed, Common Blue, Azure Damselflies
• Banded Demoiselle

Access:
From the Audlett Road/Twelve Acre Drive roundabout, take the Radley Road for about 500m. At the road junction, turn right onto Thrupp Road, then follow a number of sharp right-angled turns. Park on the left when you get to a metalled lane with cycle track signs. Walk down the lane, and view the flooded gravel pits mainly to the right. Access to the area is also possible along the cycleway from Barton Road.

Links:
Radley Village Website
Site Dragonfly list from Radley Village Website
Site map on Radley Village Website

Habitat:
Flooded gravel pits, fly ash filled lagoons, woodland, river Thames.

Description:
Going back several years, this was a delightful area with a variety of flooded gravel pits. Good for birds and no doubt dragonflies. Then the Didcot Power Station owners arrived and filled two of the pits with waste fly ash. This work ceased some years ago, but both these areas are surrounded by tall steel fences.  The Earth Trust is now managing the area for the benefit of the wildlife.

The second and smaller lake (Bullfield Lake) to the right of the main access track (just before it comes to a disused railway) can be good for dragonflies, but Orchard Lake is now the better bet. Probably the best spot here is at SU520969 although this can be damp underfoot and difficult to find.

The list of dragonflies given on the Radley Village website is an impressive one, including Club-tailed Dragonfly (along the Thames).

One species that brought me back to this area was a Lesser Emperor seen in August 2007, but not since! Also present at that time were impressive numbers of hawkers - especially Southern Hawker and Brown Hawker. In 2010, Wayne Bull managed to add Hairy Dragonfly, Downy Emerald and Small red-eyed Damselfly to this site's list. In September 2012, he again struck gold - with an immature Red veined Darter (confirmed by his photo). In 2018, Small red-eyed Damselfly was re-found on Orchard Lake as well as Emerald Damselfly.

In 2020, there was a single record, late in the season, from Orchard Lake of Willow Emerald Damselfly. Also Wayne Bull found another Red-veined Darter at almost the same location as the one in 2012. It was not however present the next day.

Notable species

• Hairy Dragonfly
• Southern Hawker
• Brown Hawker
• Lesser Emperor (once)
• Downy Emerald (Bullfield Lake)
• Red veined Darter (rare)
  
• Small red-eyed Damselfly
• Emerald Damselfly

Access:
The easiest place to park is on Barton Lane at about SU511972 and then walk a short distance west on the track that runs parallel with the road. Then almost immediately turn left along the footpath that heads towards the river. On reaching the Thames path, turn left, go over a small bridge and then take a small track on the right which leads very shortly to a pond with "private fishing" signs. There are several cutouts that allow access to the water's edge, presumably intended for fishers. Rumours of a fence surrounding this pond appeared unfounded in 2019.

Habitat:
Small pools and much emergent vegetation adjacent to the River Thames.

Description:
This surprising site came to prominence in 2015 when Martin Wackenier discovered a colony of Variable Damselflies - at the time, the only currently known locality for them in the county. He reported they were most easily found early in the season, before the other blue damselflies emerged and make finding the Variables more difficult. Nevertheless various observers were able to quite easily locate a few Variables even in mid June. The highest count reported was about nine.

The fishing pond also has Hairy Dragonflies and Downy Emeralds, which are best observed from the southern shore, which is reached by following the Thames path further upstream, around the end of the pond, and then taking a narrow overgrown path on the right.

With the influx of observers, it was clear that other notable species can be found in the same general area by walking further along the River Thames path towards Radley. These include the occasional Club-tailed Dragonfly (only reported in 2014), White-legged Damselfly and Hairy Dragonfly. The area with the Variable Damselflies also held good numbers of several other common damselflies.

Barton Fields also contains a series of small pools to which access appears to be heavily discouraged (by blocking paths to them) which hold a few of the commoner species.

This site is very close to Radley Lakes, described above, and are connected by the Thames path, which allows both sites to be covered in one visit, if required.

This whole area is probably the most productive in terms of variety and numbers of rare species of dragonflies in the county.

Notable species

• Variable Damselfly
• White-legged Damselfly
• Club-tailed Dragonfly
• Hairy Dragonfly
• Many other common damselflies
• Four spotted & Broad-bodied Chaser

Access:
Park in the (signed) public car park in Goring (with toilets) and then walk south along the river to where the bridge railway crosses the river. This is a pleasant walk with some chance of finding Clubtails and/or exuviae along the way. 

Habitat:
River Thames with well vegetated banks in places.

Description:
This is the only dragonfly site in Oxfordshire that has a full entry in the book "Watching British Dragonflies" by Steve Dudley et al, on the strength of its speciality - Club-tailed Dragonfly. However, the location described in this book differs somewhat from the one I give above - which is where I have seen this species.

This is an early flying insect (late May/early June) and is not easy to find. I have found adults it only in about one in three visits, or less.

This species can be found resting on the riverside bushes but stationary dragonflies are very difficult to find it my experience. On my first successful visit it was easier to spot flying low over the river. However even then it was quite difficult to pick out.

The wall below the bridge itself is a possible spot for emergents (if you are very lucky) and exuviae (more usually). The best time for exuviae and emergents is typically mid to late May. On 23 May 2015, I was fortunate to locate an emergent and was able to secure a memorable sequence of photos. More recently, I have been more successful at finding emergents here, most notably in the amazing lockdown spring of 2020 when there were 2-3 emerging almost at the same time on a couple of occasions!

Careful inspection of any man-made posts or other structures along the river's edge between the village and the railway bridge in mid to late May should produce at least one exuvia.

Also at this site, and along the Thames from Goring, from about early June onwards are White-legged Damselfly - these should be easier to locate in the riverside vegetation than Clubtails. If nothing else, you are almost certain to come across good numbers of Banded Demoiselles.

Notable species

• Club-tailed Dragonfly
• White-legged Damselfly
• Banded Demoiselle

Access:
On the minor road just to east of Cothill there is a small car park obscured by bushes, just off the south side of road (difficult to spot). There is an information board, and a path leads out of the car park and circles the pond/marshy area. The best area is on the left side.

Links:
BBOWT website

Habitat:
Pool with some open water and a marshy area.

Description:
This is a compact BBOWT reserve with some fen like habitat - very unusual in Oxfordshire. It is notable for Southern Damselfly and also Keeled Skimmer (since 2006 at least). There are also good numbers of Large-red Damselfly. Other species include Ruddy Darter and Southern Hawker.

The marshy area is fragile and easily damaged. This site can be combined with the adjacent Cothill Fen/Parsonage Moor area (see below).

Notable species

• Southern Damselfly
• Keeled Skimmer
• Large-red Damselfly

Location:

Access:
On the minor road in Cothill there is a car park on the north-west side of the road, opposite the Merry Miller pub. This used to be a public car park but is now less clearly that. May be better to park at nearby Dry Sandford Pit. From the Merry Miller take the public footpath that runs north and then west out of the village (String Lane). The two reserves are adjacent to one another, with Parsonage Moor being reached first. This is a BBOWT reserve which is being actively managed to improve the site. It has a sign at the entrance and a boardwalk. Cothill Fen (green area on map) is less obvious, and is tucked away on the western edge of Parsonage Moor. It can be accessed either from further along String Lane or by an indistinct track through Parsonage Moor.

Habitat:
A rare example of lowland calcareous fen which attracts some species normally found in acidic areas (which are absent in Oxon). Parsonage Moor has reeds and one or two shallow pools and some wet areas, although is prone to drying out in drier years. Cothill Fen has a tiny, deeper pool surrounded by hazardous (deep) boggy areas (extreme care needed), and seems to be less prone to desiccation.

Description:
These two sites have some small pools and boggy areas  - unique in Oxfordshire. Parsonage Moor is notable for Southern Damselfly and both sites are between them the only known location in Oxon to have Small-red Damselfly. Keeled Skimmer are also regularly seen. There have also been intermittent records of Variable Damselfly records from here, with the most recent being in 2017, after a gap of several years.

I generally find Cothill Fen to be the better site but it is quite hazardous under foot due to the boggy conditions. Parsonage Moor can be quite dry although the boardwalk provides easier access. At the end of the boardwalk there is a stream which can be productive in drier years. In 2015, there was a new site record for Hairy Dragonfly which is increasing its range in the county.

Both sites are very fragile and easily damaged. Stick to the Parsonage Moor boardwalk if possible.

Notable species

• Southern Damselfly
• Small red Damselfly
• Variable Damselfly
• Keeled Skimmer

Access:
Park in the Farmoor reservoir car park (fee payable on exit), and walk over the causeway. Access to the Pinkhill hide (code needed for the lock) is to the right and down the slope at the far end of the causeway. The Shrike Meadow Hide (unlocked) is to the left, and reached down the zig-zag path accessed from the fisherman's car park along the W side of Farmoor II. Near to the Shrike Meadow hide is a footbridge over a lagoon on Buckthorn Meadow. This can be a good vantage point for dragonflies, especially Four-spotted Chaser and Migrant Hawker later in the season.

Alternatively, access is possible by parking in Farmoor village and following public footpaths down to the river.

Links:
Thames Water website

Habitat:
Pinkhill lagoon and Shrike Meadow lagoon, River Thames, grassy meadows.

Description:
Farmoor reservoir is probably the premier birding site in the county, but the reservoir itself is concrete lined, and has little dragonfly interest.

However, the adjacent River Thames and the Pinkhill lagoon (with hide) can be reasonable for dragonflies, especially in mid/late season when hawkers can be fairly abundant in a good year. It is a notable site for Brown Hawker, usually to be found along the Thames between the two lagoons. From the Pinkhill hide various species can be seen albeit distantly such as Black-tailed Skimmer, and various damselflies. Migrant Hawker is often be seen here, and can even be photographed from the hide (as shown here). Club-tailed Dragonfly has also been seem here, though not every year.

Notable species

• Migrant Hawker
• Brown Hawker
• Black-tailed Skimmer

Access:
From the Rushy Common car park, take the path east, cross the road and enter the Tar Lakes site. A path leads round the first lake and there is access to a second lake beyond. A small pool in the north east corner of the site, close to the road, should also be checked.

Links:
Oxfordshire County Council LWV Project website

Habitat:
Shallow lakes and a small pool.

Description:
The Tar Lakes reserve has been recently established on the site of former gravel workings by Oxfordshire County Council's admirable Lower Windrush Valley Project. It is notable for providing access to the waters edge, which has clear benefits for photography etc, but some unfortunate consequences in the form of disturbance from the general public, especially dog walkers.

This site appears to have considerable potential and might some day attract Small Red-eyed Damselflies as the habitat looks good for them. However in visits in 2015 and 2017 all I found were Red eyes, and good numbers of other common species, as listed below.

The many other flooded gravel pits in the area appear to provide plenty of suitable breeding habitat for dragonflies and are probably worth more exploration, although access is usually problematic, especially to the waters edge. There was once a Lesser Emperor seen from one of the hides at "Pit 60" near Standlake (another great LWVP reserve) but in a few recent visits I have found nothing more notable than Brown Hawkers and Black-tailed Skimmers.

Notable species

• Emperor
• Brown Hawker
• Black-tailed Skimmer
• Four-spotted Chaser
• Red eyed Damselfly
• Common Blue Damselfly

Access:
From the A329 east of Cholsey take the minor road past the southern edge of the old Fair Mile Hospital down to the river.

Habitat:
River Thames with emergent vegetation. Freshwater marsh.

Description:
This site gives easy access to the river Thames and is just a few miles upstream from Goring. A path goes both north and south from the end of the road. Probably to the north is better for immediate access to the river bank, but to the south is where most of the Clubtail sightings have been. There is a chance of Club-tailed Dragonfly here. More likely are good views of White-legged Damselfly and Banded Demoiselle.

Notable species

• Club-tailed Dragonfly (possible)
• White-legged Damselfly
• Banded Demoiselle

Habitat:
Small urban fishing pool with floating and emergent vegetation.

Description:
This is a surprisingly productive site, given its location, although disturbance can be annoying and prevent close approach to some of the water's edge. This site was visited for several years  by one dedicated local recorder, but it did not come to the attention of other county dragonfly enthusiasts until as recently as 2017. With the sad demise of nearby Shellingford pit, it remains one the best sites in the county for Small Red-eyed Damselfly. Very large numbers of this species occurred in the hot summer of 2018.

This small pond also has a considerable species list, including the localised Emerald Damselfly, which can also be found on the same visit as the SRE Damselflies. In a normal summer, early to mid August is probably the optimum time for a visit for these two species.

Notable species

• Small red-eyed Damselfly
• Emerald Damselfly
• Emperor
• Migrant Hawker
• Brown Hawker
• Ruddy and Common Darters
  

Access:

Habitat:
Wooded urban oasis in North Oxford with three ponds (including a dragonfly pond), marshy areas and more open meadows, all readily accessible by a network of paths.

Description:
A delightful small site, worked regularly by one dedicated observer, with an impressive species list for its size. Early in the season, Hairy Dragonflies can be seen and on one notable occasion a wandering Clubtail was seen for a few days. Later on, the dragonfly pond is notable for emerging Southern Hawkers (June/July). Other notable sightings in the hot 2018 summer included Emerald Damselfly and Beautiful Demoiselle. Good numbers of Brown and Migrant Hawkers are around later in the season.

 Notable species

• Hairy Dragonfly
• Downy Emerald (scarce visitor)
• Clubtail (once!)
• Southern Hawker
• Emerald Damselfly
• Beautiful Demoiselle
• Migrant Hawker
• Brown Hawker