Also seen was a male Hairy Hawker Brachytron pratense, several Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula, about a dozen Four spotted Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata, and about 30 Variable Damselflies Coenagrion pulchellum of both sexes (there could have been an odd Azure damselfly among these).  

I also looked for the Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens on the River Bann at Dynes Bridge south of Portadown, but without success, perhaps due to the high water level retarding emergence, or it may have been too late in the day (c. 6.30 pm).  

David Nixon also reported 4 Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula at Aughnadarragh Lake near Saintfield, Co. Down, on 31st

Some earlier news at least 15 freshly emerged Four spotted Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata at Lough Beg, Killarney National Park on 14th May and 1 exuvia of Hairy Hawker Brachytron pratense at Lough Doo, Killarney National Park on 15th May.

Also seen were 1 or 2 male Hairy Hawkers Brachytron pratense and Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula but there were probably about 20 Variable Damselflies Coenagrion pulchellum and Four-spot Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata.

Paradise Quarry Pond : A single female Hairy Hawker Brachytron pratense ovipositing into some floating vegitation detritus at the waters edge. 7 immature Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans and 5 immature Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella present also.

The pool (which was more or less the only open water on the bog) did not look suitable for breeding and I suspect the dragonfly was a stray from elsewhere. The habitat is an old cut-over bog with lanky heather and birch scrub, with a large area adjacent planted with Pines and decidous trees.  

The nearest probably breeding place may be disused gravel pits at Traad Point on Lough Neagh near Ballyronan, Co. Londonderry, about 6-7 miles away, though it might possibly breed in a marsh at Blackers Rock on the Lough Neagh shore of Co. Tyrone, about 4 miles to the south-east.  

As far as I am aware, the Hairy Dragonfly has been found in Co. Tyrone only in the so-called "Clogher valley" area, at several lakes near Fivemiletown/Clogher and 1 cut-over bog near Clogher. There are a number of suitable-looking lakes in the Dungannon-Aughnacloy areas which also look suitable, but so far searches have proved negative. It however may be overlooked due to its early and fairly short flight season and generally low numbers, and possible confusion with Common Hawker.  

Also seen on 21st May were 2 Four-spotted Chasers Libellula quadrimaculata on a bog at Lough Bran near Maghera, Co. Londonderry, and Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula, which was seen in small numbers at Lough Bran and nearby Drumlamph Wood, at Curran and Ballynahone Bogs near Maghera (latter by David Nixon) with at least 1 also at the bog at Ballinderry Bridge.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Hairy Hawker Brachytron pratense: 11th May at Mount Bellew Demesne, NE Galway, & Finnamore Lakes near Lough Boora Peatlands, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, on 14th May (both by Ken Bond). 4+ 6 at Aughinish near Askeaton, Co. Limerick, on 15th May (Geoffrey Hunt). 4+ Hairy Hawkers at Ballynafagh Lake, Co. Kildare, Republic of Ireland, on May 15th.(Peter Doyle)
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata : 3 at Ballynafagh Lake, Co. Kildare, on 15th May (Peter Doyle).
Large Red Damselflies Pyrrhosoma nymphula: 5 at Bealagrellagh, near Tralee Co. Kerry, on 10th May, 5 at Mount Bellew Demesne, NE Galway, on 11th May, Aghalustia Bridge (?E. Mayo/Roscommon, M627927), on 12th May, and at Finnamore Lakes near Lough Boora Peatlands, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, on 14th May (all by Ken Bond). At Ballynafagh Lake, Co. Kildare, on 15th May (Peter Doyle). At Aughinish near Askeaton, Co. Limerick, on 15th May (Geoffrey Hunt).
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans: 3 at Mount Bellew Demesne, NE Galway, on 11th May (Ken Bond). At Ballynafagh Lake, Co. Kildare, on 15th May (Peter Doyle). At Aughinish near Askeaton, Co. Limerick, on 15th May (Geoffrey Hunt).
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum: Many at Finnamore Lakes near Lough Boora Peatlands, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, on 14th May (Ken Bond).

Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella: 3 at Mount Bellew Demesne, NE Galway, on 11th May (Ken Bond). At Aughinish near Askeaton, Co. Limerick, on 15th May (Geoffrey Hunt).
Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum: At Ballynafagh Lake, Co. Kildare, on 15th May (Peter Doyle).
This makes 7 Odonata species recorded in Ireland this year (Large Red, Common Blue, Blue-tailed, Azure and Variable Damselflies; Hairy Hawker and Four-spotted Chaser). However in most Mays, Banded Damselfly, Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly and Irish Damselfly would also be expected, possibly also Black-tailed Skimmer). June usually sees a big increase in variety with nearly all species seen by the end of the month if looked for, though Migrant Hawker would hardly be expected until late July, and Black Darter may also not appear until early July.

It was windier and cooler there today and I didn't see any odonata.

However for the first time I can remember, the 1st damselfly species I saw was not the Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula. The 1st specimen was very teneral (possibly a female) and I looked at the shape of the posterior facing lobe on the 1st thoracic segment which looked very shallow; I therefore decided it was Coenagrion puella, the Azure Damselfly. A short distance away Julia found another (both were at rest) which was however definitely a more mature and blue male Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum by the shape of the black wine goblet markings on the 1st abdominal segment. As I believe I have read conflicting evidence about the use of the shape to determine these 2 species I had better refrain from claiming C. puella as a definite specimen, although both often occur together and usually emerge about the same time.  

I did have a look at sheltered areas near the lake as well as emergent vegetation but could find no more damselflies. The weather at the time was bright but with a strong cool NW breeze, following several brief but sometimes heavy showers (even with some hail and thunder) earlier in the day, so conditions were far from ideal.   This is also among the latest dates for seeing my 1st Odonata species in recent years; in 2003 I even saw a Four-spotted Chaser on 17th April in Co. Antrim. Last year my 1st sighting was Pyrrhosoma nymphula in Co. Down on 25th April.

As far as I know there is only a single record of pratense in10km sq T00 up to 2003