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Kobbervandnymfer
(Lestidae)
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Sydlig Kobbervandnymfe
(Lestes barbarus)
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Rare |
1
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Flight period: July 30 - September 9.
Municipalities: Tårnby.
Breeding: Barbarus-renden.
A relatively new species in Denmark, with regular observations only during the last 10-15 years. On Amager only seen on Kalvebod Fælled (and only by me). On August 8, 2023 I had the first animal for the island at Granatsø, a single male. On july 30, 2024 I managed to find a smaller population at the pond south of Birkedammen (Barbarus-vandhullet). Some 20 at the most were present, and mostly males. Later I found more animals, and especially more pairs (5-10), in a ditch nearby (Barbarus-renden).
Egg-laying was confirmed, and now, in Summer 2025, I'v been expecting to see the emerging result, the species reproducing in one year. After my discovery I gave the species the status of Scarce, but unfortunately there have been no sightings this year, why I've downgraded the status to Rare. The species has an erratic behavior why it shouldn't have come as such a big surprise to me, that they didn't show up. Still, I speculate whether the reason for their absence could be cattle destroying the vegetation in spring at both Barbarus-locations, and killng eventual larvae by trampling them to death before they could emerge?
When I spoke to LAK sometime mid August 2025, he told me that he had seen the species at Barbarus-renden this year, but he hasn't added the observation to naturbasen, and his comment, that he saw it at the wet end of the ditch, makes me suspicious, because I consequently found them at the dry end the year before.
September 9, 2025, I found a single mature male at Engsø. New site for the species, and I expect the animal to have arrived from outside the island, rather than being related to last year's influx.
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Sortmærket Kobbervandnymfe
(Lestes dryas)
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Common |
2
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Flight period: May 21 - August 29. Most common end of May to beginning of August.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding: Dryas-renden.
Probably a long-time resident on the island. It prefers vegetated ditches or small waterholes that dry out during the summer.
It is a sister species to sponsa, and you can find both flying at the same sites, but in general they tend to separate, one species being more common than the other.
Amager Fælled
The best place to find it is at Strandengen-syd where it inhabits a grassy wet meadow that normally dries up in summer. But they seem to spread out, and near the waterhole at Strandengen-midt I've also had it frequently.
Kalvebod Fælled
Here it prefers ditches that inundate in winter and dry out in summer. You can probably find in many more ditches than I've managed to cover, some being inside areas with no public access. The best spot is undoubtely Dryas-renden (hense the name). Here I've had more than a hundred individuals when most abundant. Barbarus-renden and Granatsø are also reliable localities where to find it, with some 30 being the best days at Barbarus-renden and 10-20 at Granatsø. The waterholes near Naturskolen also seem to be a good spot for (though often overrun by school classes and nature tourists).
Kongelundsområdet
Here I've found the species at the isolated and overgrown waterhole inside the forest, NØ-vandhullet, emphasizing the adaptability of the species. This waterhole does normally not dry out completely.
Amager
Outside these three main areas I've also had it on single occasions at Travbaneparken and Lergravene, two rather isolated localities, illustrating well the dispersibility that characterize the spreadwings in general.
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Almindelig Kobbervandnymfe
(Lestes sponsa)
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Common |
3
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Flight period: June 10 - September 4. Most common end of June to beginning of August.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
Probably long-time resident on the island. Is found in both canals and smaller permanent lakes with good vegetation. Often flies together with dryas, but normally only one of the two species is dominent at each site.
Amager Fælled
Here it is best found near the waterholes at Strandengen-syd, but it can also be found at Strandengen-midt and Den Landskabelige Kanal (DLK-syd).
Kalvebod Fælled
Here it prefers the permanent water bodies, smaller lakes, but can also be found with dryas in wet ditches. Granatsø is where you find the largest numbers.
Kongelundsområdet
Only seen in few numbers at NØ-vandhullet, where dryas is also present, and on one occasion I've found an animal that looked suspiciously like a hybrid between the two.
Amager
Outside the three main areas it has only been seen on a few occasions at Travbaneparken and Søvang-vandhullet.
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Lille Kobbervandnymfe
(Lestes virens)
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Rare |
4
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Flight period: August 6, 2010 and August 10, 2010.
Municipality: Dragør.
Breeding:
Accidental. A single male was seen on August 6, 2010 in Kongelunden of all places. Another was reported on August 10 also from the eastern part of Kongelunden. I expect them to be of the same individual with the exact position remaining a mystery (No obvious localities nearby to suit a virens at neither of the positions marked). I'm speculating whether it could have arrived from Sweden where it it holds a population in the South Central Scania (Skåne) which is not very far from Denmark.
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Pragtvandnymfer
(Calopterygidae)
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Blåbåndet Pragtvandnymfe
(Calopteryx splendens)
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Rare |
5
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Flight period: May 29 - August 18. 9 records.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
Probably a yearly visitor, but normally just passing through without staying for long. All records appear to be of males. Most animals have been seen in July.
As the map shows, the species can show up practically anywhere regardless of the lack of suited breeding habitats. Whether they are Swedish or Danish animals passing through probably depends on the wind conditions on the day of travel.
I've had 2 additional animals, on the same day, 2024-07-19, one at Søvang-vandhullet and one at Granatsø, that might have been of this species, but in flight they looked like males with all-black wings why I can't rule out that they were Beautiful Demoiselles (C. virgo). Both were heading in a westerly direction.
In 2025 I've had two observations of the species. One at Fælledvej-vandhullet in St. Magleby on August 8. In 2023 Frank Abrahamson had one here too, why this is probably a good site for it, though my animal did not stay for long. The second observation was of two males together at Den Landskabelige Kanal (DLK-nord), at Amager Fælled on August 9. Bo Nielsen had a single male here (DLK-syd) on July 27, making this the best place, and year, on the island for the species.
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Damvandnymfer
(Coenagrionidae)
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Hestesko-vandnymfe
(Coenagrion puella)
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Common |
6
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Flight period: May 6 - August 1. Most common from last week of May to first half of June.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
It's a generalist that can be found near open ponds and canals as well as in forest habitat. Preferably with long grass along the edges. It has a tendency to stray why it can show up in many places away from actual breeding habitats. It often flies with both cyathigerum and pulchellum.
Amager Fælled:
Found in good numbers along Den Landskabelige Kanal, Strandengen and Vagthussøen.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Granatsø is undoubtedly the best locality for the species, but as the map indicates it can be found in many places in smaller numbers.
Kongelundsområdet:
SV-vandhullet is the best place to find breeding individuals. Here the species seems to be glad for Butterbur [Rød Hestehov] which grows abundantly near the southern shore of the pond, where they often roost on the broad leaves. Unfortunately this plant has been designated an invasive species, why the forest people aggressively cut it down to the ground regularly. Whether it has an effect on the bluet, remains unclear.
Amager
The adabtability of the species is also indicated by the fact that it is found in practically all the ponds that exist on the island, outside the three main areas. Søvang-vandhullet holds a particularly large population.
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Flagermus-vandnymfe
(Coenagrion pulchellum)
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Common |
7
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Flight period: April 29 - July 26. Most common last half of May to first half of June.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
There is an observation in arter.dk from April 1, 2013 made by a Lars Andersen for Københavns Kommune, but symptomatic in these times where everything has to be so fancy tech and data driven, there is no relevant information available about the animal observed other than the species name. The date is very early for an imago of this species, why I suspect the observation to refer to a larva, and ignore it as that.
This sister species to puella flies in much the same places with open ponds and kanals with good grassy vegetation along the edges. However, except for a few places, it is much less common than puella, and often you only find singletons or no more than 5-10 individuals at each location.
Amager Fælled:
Den Landskabelige Kanal is definitely the best place to find this species, especially the southern part (DLK-syd), where several hundreds can be found at prime time. Strandengen-syd is also good, but the numbers here are more modest, often only finding 10-20 individuals during a visit.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Storesø in the north of the area can show good numbers [max 25], otherwise the highest densities are to be found in the south around Pumpehus-broen og Hejresøen. Granatsø is also good with a max count once of 25 individuals.
Kongelundsområdet:
Oddly absent, indicating that the species prefers open landscapes. I've only had it positively at Kalvebodhøj-vandhullet near Sydvestpynten, though I have some observations from my first years in 2021-23 where I haven't added specific position to the observations, why they could be from anywhere within the area. There are also a few observations in the citizen-portals, but also without precise positions. In all my time since I started studying dragonflies, 2020, I've only managed to find a total of 15 individuals - just to put it in perspective.
Amager:
Outside the three main areas Lergravene is definitely the best spot to find the species, where some 30+ individuals can be found at prime time. Otherwise the species has only been seen sporadically at Travbaneparken, Skolebotanisk Have and Søvang-vandhullet.
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Almindelig Vandnymfe
(Enallagma cyathigerum)
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Common |
8
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Flight period:April 29 - September 26. Most common last half of May to end of June.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding: Reasonably all water bodies where imagines are found.
Can be found in the same locations as puella and pulchellum, but is more attracted to open water-bodies where the males often patrol low over the surface - in the same manner as our two Erythromma species najas and viridulum. But you also find the animals perched in long grass along the water, or even some way from it. It is a species that seems to dispurse well, and it is found in many of the waterholes throughout the island. But contrary to puella, for example, the species doesn't seem to like the forest areas on the island. In Kongelundsområdet there are only very few observations. I've had many hundreds in Søholt Storskov on Lolland, why it is not the wood-habitat that is the problem, but rather the lack of suited breeding habitats.
Amager Fælled:
Den Landskabelige Kanal is definitely the best place to find this species on the entire island, both DLK-nord and DLK-syd, where several hundreds can be found at prime time.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Many of the larger waterholes and lakes hold good numbers: Bro-vandhullet, Golfsøen, Engsø, Storesø and Hejresøen are good places to look for it. Up to a hundred or so on the good days.
Kongelundsområdet:
As mentioned the species is rare here, why you should be happy if you find it!
Amager:
Outside the three main areas Travbaneparken is the best place to find the species, where I've had up to 60 individuals on the best day. In 2024 I've made two records of the species from Søvang-vandhullet, which might be erroneous, because I haven't seen it the other years and puella is the normal bluet here. Knowing that the two are rather similar to a quick sluppy eye, I suspect this to be the reason. There are a few observations in the citizen-platforms from around the island, presumably most from private gardens. These are not marked on the map. Also, there are only few observations of the species in the northern part of the island. But I saw the species in 2025 at Christianshavns vold, and I would like to think that it might be more common here as well, if more visits were made.
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Rødøjet Vandnymfe
(Erythromma najas)
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Common |
9
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Flight period: May 2 - August 31. Most common from end of May to beginning of June.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
This species is not as common as its sister viridulum on Amager, but what the situation was like before the latter spread to Denmark from the south some 20 years ago, I'm not sure of. But it is logical to presume that it was more common (Fogh Nielsen -98 mentions it as rather common in eastern Denmark), and has now been pushed back by the more adabtable newcomer.
Preferring open tranquil waters with abundant surface-vegetation to perch on, one would have expected the species to be more common throughout the island. There are many such water bodies, and maybe it actually was the case in the past before viridulum entered the stage.
Amager Fælled:
The species has been found sporadically at Vagthussøen and Grønjordssøen, but Den Landskabelige Kanal is the exclusively best and only place to find this species on Amager Fælled and practically the entire island. Peaking numbers would be in the range of 20-40 individuals.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Almost accidental appearance, with only four locations on the map, where Engsø probably is the best place to look for it. But they can be tricky to detect because you often see the Erythromma animals fly over the water and against the sun. Because of this, it might actually be overlooked here, though I would have expected an occasional observation of land-perched animals now and then if that was the case.
Kongelundsområdet:
The only observation from this area is made by Jens Søgaard Hansen et al on 2012-07-27 of a single imago. The exact position is not clear, but it is very likely made at the moat surrounding Kongelundsfortet.
Amager:
Outside the three main areas the species is also almost none-existing, with only a single confirmed observation I made at Lergravene in May 2025. There are a few waterholes at this locality, but I don't think they would ever be attractive to this species as a potential breeding habitat, why I think this male was only visiting accidentally.
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Lille Rødøjet Vandnymfe
(Erythromma viridulum)
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Common |
10
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Flight period: June 20 - September 15. Most common end of June to beginning of August.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby Dragør.
Breeding:
A relatively new species in Denmark, it seems to have established itself well, and has (perhaps) overtaken the position as the most common Erythromma species here on the island, and perhaps the entire eastern Denmark. At the moment I'm not certain about the biotope requirements between viridulum and najas. Is the warmening climate in favor of viridulum or are there other environmental factors driving their distributional changes. Open for studies...
Amager Fælled:
Den Landskabelige Kanal and Vagthussøen are practically the only two localities where to find the species. But then you also see them, being very common here. Open water with plenty of emerging water plants is their favorite, and you find this here. There are a few stray observations in the citizen-platforms from elsewhere in this area.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Widespread and rather common at all open water bodies. The numbers fluctuate up to some 50. Or more at Engsø, apparently the best site for the species. I've had a single day with an estimated 700 individuals flying over the lake on July 19, 2024. But other days you hardly see any, why the weather conditions probably play a major role in their behavior. The species is also common in the south in and near Hejresøen.
Kongelundsområdet:
Only observation from here is my own from 2021 of two animals, but without position or other details I can't even say if I made the correct id, being in my only second odonate season...
Amager:
Outside the three main areas the species can be found in good numbers at both Travbaneparken and Skolebotanisk Have. I've only recently started to visit St. Magleby-gadekær, but the species is here, and perhaps in larger numbers than the few animals I've seen so far. At Søvang-vandhullet I've had it on two occasions only, both in July 2024. This is somewhat strange, considering that on July 19, I estimated some 200 animals around and over the relatively small waterhole. Interestingly this was the same day that I had the 700 at Engsø on Kalvebod Fælled, suggesting that a special incident took place this day.
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Stor Farvevandnymfe
(Ischnura elegans)
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Common |
11
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Flight period: April 30 - September 19. Most common end of May to beginning of August.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
Without doubt the most widespread and abundant dragonfly on Amager. You find it at practically every water body, and it is the species most often found away from water too, often reported from gardens and streets in the urban zone...I've had a live male in my living room once. In most places you find it in moderate numbers (<30), but in a few localities you can find them in their hundreds. However, the species is most likely developing from egg to imago in two years in our region, why the numbers at each site will fluctuate from year to year.
It's an attractive species to observe close-up with the many different color forms shown by the female. Most animals you find in the tall grass vegetation surrounding the water (avoiding banks with dense reed cover), and it a species easy to detect since the animals tend to light up when taking flight, and their calm and moderate escape-flight makes it easy to count them as well. You often find them sitting in mating-wheels at a moderate height flashing themselves, which probably makes the species overrepresented when focusing on breeding activities compared to the other blue damselflies present.
Amager Fælled:
Den Landskabelige Kanal (DLK) is the best place to find the species, but it is not a stronghold for it in general on the island. I've had up to 25 individuals along the DLK, but normally you only see less than 10 individuals at each place. However, the earliest animals have been found at DLK, late April.
Kalvebod Fælled:
It's all over the place, I'm tempted to say. Even on the poorest days you are likely to dig up an elegans where and when nothing else flies. It is also here you find the most numerous sites: Storesø and the two ditches at Sydmøllevej, Sydmøllerenden-syd og Sydmøllerenden-nord, can, on the best days, hold several hundred individuals. Barbarus-vandhullet has also proven a good site in good years.
Kongelundsområdet:
This area does not have any really attractive site for the species to breed, why it is only sporadically found. It is mainly found away from the forest habitat and most often along the meadow, Kongelundsengen to the west of the forest and at Kongelundsfortet further south. Bu the vegetation is mainly reeds and otherwise the shores of the present waterbodies are too naked to attract the species. Perhaps the salinity of the water (close to the sea) is affecting the conditions negatively too?
Amager:
Outside the three main areas the species can be found easily, as the map indicates. Travbaneparken, Skolebotanisk Have, Kastrupfortet and Gåseby-vandhullet are particularly good with counts between 10-40 individuals often made. Many Citizen-platform observations that have been made from private gardens have been omitted from the map. I'm sure some areas, like Christianshavns Voldgrav in the north, have not been thoroughly studied, why the species could be even more common and widespread than the map indicates.
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Lille Farvevandnymfe
(Ischnura pumilio)
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Scarce |
12
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Flight period: May 20 - September 15. Most have been seen August and September.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby.
Breeding:
This pioner species is only found in very small numbers, 7 individuals at Travbaneparken on Sep 2, 2023 has been the most numerous apperance. It's an erratic species that shows up at new waterholes with limited vegetation, and where predation by fish is low or non-existing. Later they tend to disappear which is also the case here on Amager. You will probably always be able to find one or two here and there, but 2023-24 seem to have been peaking years on the island with only few observations in 2025.
But it is also a species easy to overlook since they fly in-between its bigger cousin elegans. And even though the species is smaller 26-31mm compared to 30-24mm this is not a big enough size difference to be useful in the field. I've often tried to pick them out by size, but practically always fail. Of course the young orange females of pumilio and the brightly colored elegans females stand out, but otherwise you normally have to zoom in using binoculars or camera to be certain [or catch them. But we don't really like this approach in general, do we?!].
Amager Fælled:
Only two observations, one by Bo Nielsen and one by myself. I had mine at the southern end of Strandengen (2024-08-27), and according to Bo's record (2020-05-20) in naturbasen he saw it at the northern end of the plateau (this might not be correct though, since he has a tendency to misplace his observations). But anyway, the species is not to be expected here, and even less likely so, since I had my animal in the middle of nowhere in long grass.
Kalvebod Fælled:
This is where the species was first discovered on the island. In the ditches and lakes in the south around Sydmøllevej. They continue to be there, but generally in small numbers with only one or two animals seen each time. Typical of the species.
Amager:
The best site for the species on Amager is Travbaneparken in Tårnby. The newly created rain water reservoirs have been attractive for the species during the first years, with 2023-24 being the best years, as mentioned. But the waterholes are starting to overgrow and fish are starting to emerge, why it is probably a question of time before they say goodbye for good.
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Mosaikguldsmede
(Aeshnidae)
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Sydlig Mosaikguldsmed
(Aeshna affinis)
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Scarce |
13
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Flight period: June 27 - September 8. First observations in 2022. Yearly afterward.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
This bright and beautiful hawker was first seen in Denmark in 2006. A single male on both Fyn and Bornholm. A climatic north-expanding species, it would have been expected to see more in the following years, but it should take another 15 years, before the next animals were discovered. In 2021 a few males were found in N Sjælland, but it was not until 2022 that the species really started to show up in the country, and it has been increasing every year since.
It is mainly seen in the eastern part of the country, and Amager has turned out to be an absolutely stronghold of the species. Using my own observations the development has been as follows (total sightings): 2022 8, 2023 6, 2024 36, 2025 66. Of course, some animals are repeats, but it still gives a good indication of how the species is progressing.
Nearby Hvidovre Strandeng has also turned out to be a good spot for the species, and strangely, there seemed to be more egg-laying females found there than here on Amager, where, in fact, it isn't until 2025 that I have found and documented matings and egg-layings. I've had a mating at Hvidovre myself, why I'm not questioning that it has happened, but still I would like to express some concern about the numbers seen here and there, reported by other observers. I find that I often have visited a locality, and seen a, normally, modest number of individuals, and then, bum, others show up emmediately after and see much higher numbers. Either I'm not as observant as I would like to think, or they are fantasizing. Or rather: They include Migrant Hawkers in their counts! The two species look very similar, especially in flight, and they can also behave exactly the same, though it is tooted that affinis is always patrolling at chest-height whereas mixta moves either higher up or very low above the ground in-between reeds and other vegetation over the surface. Now that I've seen my share of both species, I can say with some certainty, that both species can behave in the same way. And they can fly next to each other and sit close to each other, looking very similar. And particularly patrolling males that you only see angled from behind can be very deceptive. I've more than once noted an animal as an affinis, just to have to correct it later, when I would get a better view.
That said, affinis often looks brighter when seen in flight, and it is certainly often possible to id it just on that, but not always. Anyway, this is how you are likely to discover the species - a single male approaching you, and flying steadily past you.
It is the only aeshna hawker in our part of the world that lays eggs in tandem (female also alone sometimes). And when so, they prefer wet solid mud, contrary to mixta where the female always lays eggs alone and insert them into reed stems close to the ground or water surface. You often hear a female mixta before you see it, the wing-rattle giving it away, when she moves between the reeds.
Most observations are made in the open, at waterholes or ditches with a drying-out attitude. But you can also find the species close to or inside the forest, as is the case with many species during the maturing process.
Amager Fælled:
Only seen by me, on 4 occasions in 2024, at Strandengen-syd and once west of Fælledby, also 2024. The first animal at strandengen-syd was a young female that looked like it had emerged somewhere nearby. The others have all been males. Frequent visits in 2025 have revealed nothing.
Kalvebod Fælled:
This is the Capital of affinis in Denmark! Since 2022 the species has been seen at 10 different sites.
The best place is undoubtely Granatsø where the species has been seen every year. And with breeding behavior (but not by me). The next most reliable site is Barbarus-renden where I've had it both in 2024 and 2025 with breeding behavior in 2025.
Kongelundsområdet:
In both 2024 and 2025 I've had a single-day observation of a male at NØ-vandhullet being the only observations in this area. The first time it was a true surprise to find it there, since the general understanding was, that the species was supposed to be found in the open at drying-out waterholes. But this small waterhole does in fact that. It almost drieds out every year, an therefore meets the criteria of the species. The dense and mature surrounding forest apparently not being an empediment. Or perhaps it is, after all, when I was only able to find it on one occasion each year?
Amager:
Only seen at three localities outside the three main areas, and here Søvang-vandhullet is the absolutely best locality, where observations are getting better each year. This year with several egg-laying females. This was also the case with Lergravene where a single male and female showed up, and she laid her eggs alone. At DragørNord-vandhullet it was a surprise to find a single male on July 24 2025. This isolated waterhole away from everything, has always been less attractive, but when I visited again on August 8, and was able to spot a male again, I had to adjust my opinion, and from now on, it will be included in the daily routines when covering the island. I only got photos of number two why I can't say if it was the same animal both times. Probably not taking the extended time lap into consideration.
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Blå Mosaikguldsmed
(Aeshna cyanea)
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Common |
14
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Flight period: June 27 - October 16. Most numerous August and first half of September. I have a very early observation from June 12 which probably is erroneus (likely a pratense or an imperator), and there is a record of 4 individuals on June 25 from Amager Fælled that also sounds a bit suspicious.
Municipalities: København, Dragør, Tårnby.
Breeding:
The species has probably been on the island for a long time, and probably increasing its presence with the growing forests, Kongelunden in the middle of the 19th Century and Pinseskoven and Fasanskoven a hundred years later.
It is never a species you see in big numbers on Amager. Its behavior is solitary, and apart from male-female constellations when its time for interaction, you often find the species, mainly males, along open stretches or ponds with mixed shade and sun in the forest, patrolling forth and back. When it is time to breed they seek out ditches, ponds and lakes, in the forest or open land. The female inserts the eggs into surface vegetation/debries or directly into the soil along the bank. There aren't that many records of egg-laying females but this has very likely to do with discreteness during the action, more than a sign of limited breeding success.
This said, as the maps indicate, the species is a very adept flyer, why it isn't uncommon to find it in unsuited urban locations, often private gardens (I'm speculating whether local micro ponds in these private gardens have an attracting effect on the species).
Amager Fælled:
Can probably be found in any place with suited shade-producing thickets but Vagthussøen, Strandengen-midt and around Grønjordssøen are some of the places where the species is found on a continuous basis. Also, the northern end of the area consists of forest-like groves that might be attractive to the species.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Also here the best places to spot the species is along the roads in Pinseskoven and Fasanskoven. Some photos have shown egg-laying females from Pinseskoven.
Kongelundsområdet:
As the map indicates, you can find it everywhere in the forest where the conditions are good. Particular good spots are near the two ponds, NØ-vandhullet and SV-vandhullet.
Amager:
Including the well-known localities this add well to the picture of a widely distributed species on the island. The only place where I've seen the species lay eggs, is at Travbaneparken, where the gravel-exposed shores are very attractive to the female. Otherwise the waterhole at Ugandaskoven and Søvang-vandhullet are good sites to find patrolling males.
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Brun Mosaikguldsmed
(Aeshna grandis)
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Rare |
15
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Flight period: June 06 - September 13. Less than 10 observations in total (first records from 2002).
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
This large and characteristic species is rather common in the forests of Nordsjælland, but is a true rarity on Amager. Strangely, the species has most often been found in the open landscape, and has for example never been found in Kongelunden, the most likely place to find it. This of course indicates that visiting animals are doing just that, visiting. Straying and exploring without interest in settling down.
There are a few older observation from naturbasen that have too imprecise position that I've omitted, and there is one larva record in iNaturalist from urban Tårnby that looks more like a cyanea to me - also omitted.
Amager Fælled:
Has been found at Den Landskabelig Kanal (DLK-syd) and Strandengen-syd.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Two records from 2002 from Storesø and Koklapperne along Granatvej. A 2023 record marked at the corner of Granatvej x Ellevehøjvej looks too imprecise to say exactly where it was made.
Kongelundsområdet:
As mentioned, zero records from this area. Strangely, but admitting that I don't spend much time looking for dragonflies (or must else in the height of summer and autumn) in the forest, perhaps it is overlooked? That said, however, it is true that thousands of nature-lovers pass through the forest each summer and autumn, and the species being very conspicuous, I'm sure it would have spotted by someone if present.
Amager:
I've had it once as a flyby in July 2024 at Søvang-vandhullet. This and an observation from Hilversumvej in 2023 are the only adults being seen outside the three main areas. I've added a record of a larva, positioned at Tårnby Gymnasium (highschool). The id has not been confirmed, but the photo looks ok for the species. But then the question is whether the animal was collected on site, or brought in for further studies. Knowing from I own time there (yes, my highschool) there is no guarantee that a bright-looking student is actually that, so the finder might have been youngster-sluppy when adding the position...
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Efterårs-mosaikguldsmed
(Aeshna mixta)
|
Common |
16
|
Flight period: July 4 to November 4. Most common August to mid September.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding: Strandengen-syd, Sydmøllerenden-syd, Søvang-vandhullet.
From mid-summer into the autumn this is one of the most common and noticeable species on Amager. I've added an overlay to all the maps to distinquish this species from all the others and to indicate that you can practically find this species anywhere on the island. Not when it is time to breed, where they seek out suitable water bodies with a good amount of reeds and waterplants where the female can fly in discretly and drop her eggs.
Both the English and the Danish names are adequate for the species: The Danish name meaning autumn and the English meaning that it flies far and wide. I've omitted all records from the Amager map made in private gardens, of which there are some but not many, incl here from my own balcony.
The species is known for making large gatherings flying together in warm and quiet clearings - some 40-50 can be seen together when conditions are good. They tend to fly higher up than other dragonflies, and is very likely the species most often on the menu when Eurasian Hobbies arrive in September! And in those sheltered locations they also like to hang from trees and bushes, like Christmas decorations, allowing close views.
When near the breeding waters the male tend to fly low in-between the reeds zigzagging his way forth, but he can also fly at breast-height why, nowadays, it is important that you check out the details when making an id, because the very similar affinis is now a regular visitor (and breeder) on the island, and especially at Granatsø they tend often fly together.
Amager Fælled:
Most observations are made at Strandengen in general and Den Landskabelig Kanal. Numbers tend to be low, 10 or less, but I'm sure you could find larger gatherings in clearings in the forest groves in the northern end of the area.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Near water both Engsø and Granatsø are good places to find decent numbers. And to find larger groups you should seek out the two forests Fasanskoven and Pinseskoven. You can't miss them if they are there, being the only species flying together in larger numbers. The northern edge of Pinseskoven along Svenskeholmvej has proven very good, as well as the clearing marked on the map at Fasanskoven. But the trees and clearings near Birkedammen and the area around Hejresøen should be rewarding too.
I'm sure it breeds in many different ponds and lakes, but I've only managed to finde exuviae and emerging tenerals at Sydmøllerenden-syd.
Kongelundsområdet:
Several locations are good to find larger groups flying around. Depending on the wind direction, if any, the forest edge between the NV-department and the entrance to Kalvebod Fælled can have many resting in the trees in the afternoon sun. Skovfogedmarken is probably the best place to enjoy the species. Here they are both flying around and perch in the pear-tree at the backend of the clearing. Kongelundsfortet appears to be good for breeding animals, Nordskoven along the dike and the nearby clearing is good for foraging animals, which is also the case at Grusbunke-lysningen along Midterstien-øst.
Amager:
Away from the three main areas I'm sure the species is under-reported. I've had it in many locations, and, as mentioned, people report it from their gardens on occasion, but mostly in small numbers. The largest gathering reported has been one of 15 that I saw at Lunden (Gemmas Alle) close to where I live.This forest-grove with a good large clearing obviously suits the species. Maybe cemeteries and Amager Strandpark could be attractive for larger gatherings as well.
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Grøn Mosaikguldsmed
(Aeshna viridis)
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Rare |
17
|
Accidental? A single historical observation from Amager Fælled, June 25, 1930. No details, other than specimen discovered in the collections of Statens Naturhistoriske Museum, Copenhagen. Municipality: København.
In summer 2025 I discovered a few plants of Water Soldier [Krebseklo] at Vagthussøen, Amager Fælled, which apparently is the only host plant the larvae can live in, and therefore must be present before the species considers egg-laying. I'm not aware of other sites on Amager where this plant exists, but probably not many, if any, with the species being absent from the island. There are still too few plants to support a breeding population here, thoguh, but it will be interesting to see how the plants develop over the coming years.
The species, and its habitat, is protected under EU law, why I probably should make an inquiry with the authorities to hear if they are aware of the presence of the Water Soldier, and a possible future responsibility to protect the plants and the lake from distruction and disturbances.
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Brun Kejserguldsmed
(Anax ephippiger)
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Rare |
18
|
Flight period: Accidental. A single observation by Bo Nielsen from June 23, 2019 of an egg-laying pair at Granatsø, Kalvebod Fælled. No reports of presence the following year or later.
Municipality: Tårnby.
Breeding: Granatsø.
The supporting photo is not the best, but it is reasonable to accept that it shows the named species. The only real alternative would have been parthenope but the paleness of the male probably is better for ephippiger, which also demonstrated a larger influx during this summer.
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Stor Kejserguldsmed
(Anax imperator)
|
Common |
19
|
Flight period: May 20 to September 21. Most common end June, July and August.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
This species was first seen in Denmark in 1994, but has expanded successfully since, and is now widespread. It is our largest and most conspicuous species. Smaller individuals can sometimes be confused with the large hawkers, but in general you are not in doubt, when you see it. The size, the long blue abdomen (often down-bend in flight), the apple green thorax and yellow-green head/eyes are unique. It is a dominent species, and when present at a waterhole, other hawkers might retreat to the periphery or disappear all-together. Depending on the size of the waterhole, you can normally see up to 2-3 animals of each sex at a single location.
Away from the breeding waters you can often find the species in forest clearings, and you often stumble upon them, mainly single males, when they sit low in tall grass, roosting and warming up.
Females are more often found when they approach the breeding waters. And when ready for egg-dropping you see them readily when they seek out larger debri on the surface from where they start dropping the eggs while dipping the tail into the water. Several females can use the same waterhole at the same time, or even the same piece of debri.
Because of the size of the species it is easy to spot the exuviae when the emergence begins. Often they sit close to the bank on sedges or reeds, ready to be collected for closer studies.
Amager Fælled:
Most observations are made at Strandengen in general, Den Landskabelig Kanal and Vagthussøen. There have been few records from around Grønjordssøen, which is strange taking the adaptability of the species into consideration.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Can be seen practically everywhere, near water and in the forests.
Kongelundsområdet:
You can stumble upon it anywhere, but in the forest Nordskoven and the adjacent NØ-diget are very reliable spots as is Skovfogedmarken. In the open, along the coast and meadows it is more sporadic and probably easier to find on days where the weather behaves. Breeding probably takes place at Kongelundsfortet and has been proven from the waterholes on Aflandshage (restricted access).
Amager:
Away from the three main areas the species has been found at most known localities, but surspringly there are almost no observations from private properties. Travbaneparken is a very good breeding site, and here you easily find the exuviae near the shore of the two rain water basins at the end of May. Funny though, the emerged animals disappear completely right away, since I've still not managed to find any at this time of year.
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Lille Kejserguldsmed
(Anax parthenope)
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Rare |
20
|
Accidental. Two observations: Kalvebod Fælled, 2016-07-03 and Amager Fælled, 2023-06-28. Municipalities: København, Tårnby.
This species is still rare in Denmark, but has increased markedly during the later years, with confirmed breedings from various places, mainly in eastern Denmark. In fact, I'm a bit surprised, that we haven't been able to find it more often on Amager. It's a rather conspicuous species when you get to know it, and checking out larger dragonflies flying over open water you should spot it, if it's there.
It has also established itself in nearby southern Sweden where it is more reliable to find at certain localities than in this part of Denmark.
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Håret Mosaikguldsmed
(Brachytron pratense)
|
Common |
21
|
Flight period: May 1 to July 6. Best seen last half of May to mid June.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
This is the first hawker to fly in the season, why it is easy to spot and identify in the beginning. It is not a numerous species, and you normally only see a single or two here and there. With the weather being relatively cold when it starts to fly, you can often find it sitting low in tall grass warming up. They often flush before you see them, but they tend to drop down again soon after, and you can then approach them, when you see where they land. This is before they approach the breeding waters. The species is more common on Kalvebod Fælled than elsewhere, but I'm sure it is underreported in general, and probably has a rather discrete behavior when it comes to mating and egg-laying. At least I have never seen any mating wheels or egg-laying on Amager.
As the season advances and the other dragonflies start to fly, it seems to disappear out of the picture without much attention - if that makes sense. I've often caught myself thinking: "What happened to the Hairies..?" after they are no longer to be found. This, confirming that it is a species that doesn't make much fuss about itself. And for this, apart from the way it looks different from the other aeshna hawkers, it is probably well-positioned in a genus of its own.
Amager Fælled:
Most observations are made along Strandengen in general and Den Landskabelig Kanal. Mostly of singletons.
Kalvebod Fælled:
As the map indicates it can be found in many places. The forest clearings are probably the best places to find it early in the season. Later the various waterholes naturally attracts them. The large clearing west of and Bagstien itself are very good options when trying to find the first animals of the year. But the clearings in general in Pinseskoven and Fasanskoven are worth exploring. It also seems to favor the area along the southern part of the kanal running along Ellevehøjvej: Pumpehus-broen, Lillebroen, Cyanea-broen. Granatsøen is a good spot where to find it near water, and is probably a breeding site.
Kongelundsområdet:
I have several observations without exact position why the map is not presenting the real distribution pattern. But also here the clearings are good places to start looking for it: Nordskoven, Skovfogedmarken, Midter-krydset, Troldelysnigen.
Amager:
Away from the three main areas it has only been reported on a few occasions at very few localities as the map shows, but I'm sure this is also an underrepresentation of the real presence on the island. Jonas Tchikai, for example, has visited the ponds at Travbaneparken and Skolebotanisk Have where he has seen the species, and I have not, even though I've been visiting on a regular basis the last couple of years. Søvang-vandhullet is a good spot, though, where I've had it on several occasions during the last couple of years (2024-).
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Kileplet-mosaikguldsmed
(Isoaeschna isoceles)
|
Scarce |
22
|
Flight period: May 25 to July 9. Best seen June to beginning of July.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
This, rather solitary, species has been seen both near open water and in forest clearings, with most observations made around Pinseskoven on Kalvebod Fælled and Den Landskabelige Kanal on Amager Fælled. However, I suspect that the species might be more common, than is documented today, simply because the sites where it is most often reported from, also are the sites where most dragonfly-watchers tend to look for dragonflies in general. But my own number of observations, that seem to have grown for each year, indicates that the species is there, if you look for it. 2025 seemed to be a good year with observations of both males and females at suited breeding waters, why it is very likely, that the species is breeding now, or becoming a breeding species in the years to come.
It likes to sit low in the vegetation, in grass or low in bushes, and this discrete behavior might also be a reason, why it is not a species widely detected.
Amager Fælled:
Most observations are made at Den Landskabelig Kanal. Mostly of singletons.
Kalvebod Fælled:
As the map indicates it can be found in many places, mainly around Pinseskoven, but the single-most best place to find it is at Granatsø. Here the species has been found consequently during the later years, and several individuals have been found together of both sexes, and breeding is very likely.
Kongelundsområdet:
Only seen by me on a few occasions. One time each at the marked positions, in 2024 and 2025. I have a 2023 observation too, without position, but made somewhere in the old forest area.
Amager:
Singleton observations at Søvang-vandhullet, Skolebotanisk Have and Kastrup Strandpark and all have been made in 2025, which might indicate that an expansion is in progress.
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Libeller
(Libellulidae)
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Flammelibel
(Crocothemis erythraea)
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Rare |
23
|
Flight period: Accidental. Seen twice. On July 31, 2020 at Amager Fælled, and June 20, 2023 on the eastern dike north of Kongelunden.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby.
Breeding:
A newcomer in Danmark with the first observations made in Jylland in 2015. It is seen every year now, and is certainly breeding here and there in the southern part of the country, e.g. Lolland, Møn, Sønderjylland. It is to be expected to encrease in the coming years, and the fact that it has not been found on Amager in 2024 and 2025 is somewhat disappointing, but might coincide with natural fluctuations of the species further south in C Europe. It could probably show up anywhere on the island.
The 2020 observation was a single male seen by Bo Nielsen at Den Landskabelige Kanal. The markers in naturbasen are erroneous (Bo Nielsen pers. comm.) There was just one observation, and it took place, where I've put the marker on the Amager Fælled map. The other observation was done by me on NØ-diget - the easternmost end on of the new dike running north of Kongelunden, just inside Tårnby municipality. Mine was a female that stayed for two days, and it probably came in on an easterly wind that was dominent during those days.
There is one more observation in naturbasen, made by LAK, which I'm a bit skeptic about. On June 24, 2024, he had a male at Granatsø, but I met him right after, and went there, and could only find sanguineum, where he said he had seen it. I know, it's arrogant to dismiss it simply because I couldn't find it, but knowing from my own experience, some mature sanguineum males can look incredibly intense in color, and in a brief bypassing moment easily can be taken for an erythraea. So, as long as he hasn't added any documentation, I leave it out of the official records for the island.
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Nordisk Kærguldsmed
(Leucorrhinia rubicunda)
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Rare |
24
|
Flight period: Accidental. 5 observations. June 2017, May 2021, June 2023, May 2025.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby.
Breeding:
This is the most common of the red whitefaces in this part of Denmark. The species is normally preferring clean forest lakes and bogs (closest in N Sjælland), but apparently is also prone to dispersal to some degree.
Amager Fælled:
Only seen by Bo Nielsen on four occasions, all at Den Landskabelige Kanal (DLK-syd). All were single males roosting on top of the low dam crossing the kanal. Caveat: He has told me that he only remember two records, though he has entered four in naturbasen. To be resolved.
Kalvebod Fælled:
One record in iNaturalist of a reported dubia, which I can only see as a rubicunda from the attached photo. In the field just north of Frieslandsvej along Kanalvej. I've made a commment about this, but the observer hasn't responded.
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Blå Libel
(Libellula depressa)
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Common |
25
|
Flight period: May 5 to August 7. Most numerous last half of May to first half of June.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
This is one of the first dragonflies to fly in spring. It's a rather flexible species having adapted to a variety of water bodies, though shallow warm ponds seem to be a favorite. Away from the breeding waters you normally only see one or two at the same spot. It is widespread on Amager, and can often be found perched in sunny clearings away from water, sitting low in the vegetation or in trees and bushes. At the breeding sites you often see the territorial males perched on branches in the water. Here they also aggressively chase each other, and the powerful little flyer is rather distinctive with its short rounded body. It only rarely sits directly on the ground, opposite to cancellatum.
It is rare to see this species mate, but egg-dropping females are frequently seen when flying over water in the characteristic swinging mode.
As many other dragonflies the species seeks out forests to forage and mature. It is often seen in Pinseskoven, but for some strange reason the species is almost absent from Kongelunden, with only a few observations. Maybe Pinseskoven is more convenient being closer to the breeding sites?
Amager Fælled:
Most observations are made at Den Landskabelig Kanal and Strandengen-midt and Strandengen-syd. The waterhole at Strandengen-midt is a particular good spot where you can often see several males chase each other.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Widespread and seen both near water and in the forests. For some reason I've never seen the species lay eggs anywhere, but distance and a wide range of breeding options probably make it rarer to witnes this than on the more intimate Amager Fælled.
Kongelundsområdet:
Rarely seen, and most often at Nø-diget. Here on the dike the forest is open, and since I've also had it at the large clearing in southeast, Troldelysningen, this might be the type of place to look for it. Late summer 2025 large parts of the southern forest areas are being cut down to give way to a brighter forest with more variety. A few observations from naturbasen are unclear regarding their position, but I've added them, as are, without location name.
Amager:
Outside the three main areas the species has been seen at a wide range of localities. The most reliable locality, however, is Travbaneparken, where the species is positively breeding.
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Fire-plettet Libel
(Libellula quadrimaculata)
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Common |
26
|
Flight period: April 28 to August 24. Most numerous end of May to beginning of July.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
Widespread and common; one of the most conspicuous species early in the season.
You find it most often at water bodies, all types, with emerging vegetation (sedges/reeds) from where they perch and in the case of the males overlook their territories. Up to ten individuals is the most common, but at the better sites, 20-30 or more can be seen. Away from the breeding waters the species is more sporadic; perhaps hiding better than other species. At the breeding sites it prefers to sit exposed, both sexes, horizontally or angled 45 degrees, on a stick in the water, about 50 cm to 1 meter above the water. It is practically the only species showing this behavior, though, an odd cancellatum might do it similarly on rare occasions. The females come in to mate, and then drops the eggs alone while passing over the water. Mating wheels are rarely seen.
Amager Fælled:
Most observations are made at Den Landskabelig Kanal and Strandengen-midt and Strandengen-syd.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Widespread and seen both near water and in the forests. Granatsø and Engsø are particular good for breeding animals, otherwise you often find it here and there away from water in Pinseskoven, where they can be found in clearings or along the reed-covered ditches.
Kongelundsområdet:
Rarely seen, and most often at Nø-diget, with a few observations at SV-vandhullet and NØ-vandhullet. I assume the scarcity is caused by the same reason as is the case with depressa, preferring to mature closer to the breeder waters (guessing).
Amager:
Outside the three main areas the species is mainly seen at the permanent water ponds in Tårnby and Dragør municipalities, with Travbaneparken and Søvang-vandhullet being the best localities.
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Stor Blåpil
(Orthetrum cancellatum)
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Common |
27
|
Flight period: May 8 to September 9. Most numerous end of May to mid July.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
Very common. As the maps show this is the species that has been seen in most localities, both inside and outside of the three main areas. This is probably because it is large and has the habit of sitting in the open; on rocks, but much more so directly on the ground. They sit there sunning themselves, and when you approach they flush and you can't miss them. Warmed up camp site rocks at shelters are particularly attractive to the species, as are certain stretches of dirt roads.
You also find them in clearings during the maduration process, where they also sit on the ground or more often low in the dry grasses of yesteryear. At the breeding waters you can see large numbers patrolling over the surface in eagerly moves. And mating wheels are often flushed as well, and the flying female drops the eggs solo directly into the water.
The young animals are easily distinguished with their yellow color, as are the adult blue and black males, but the older females often leave a mysterious impression. Sometimes seeming large, other times smaller, and rather dark, often giving the impression of something exotic and new.
Amager Fælled:
Most observations are made at Den Landskabelige Kanal where some 10-20 individuals, at the most, can be seen.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Literally seen everywhere. Largest numbers of patrolling males are seen at Engsø and Villahøj where up to 80 males have been seen. Good stretches to find large numbers of perched individuals in the open are the dirt roads south of Villahøj and along Ottehøjshelter-sporet, along Hejresøen and the road at the southeast corner of Birkedammen. In times of maduration all the clearings in Pinseskoven are good for roosting animals: Fonscolombii-lysningen, Flaveolum-lysningen and SHV-lysningerne in particular.
Kongelundsområdet:
You see it in smaller numbers in the clearings, particular Skovfogedmarken, but the best site for perched individuals is the dike north of the forest, both NV-diget and Nø-diget where some 20-20 individuals can be found on good days.
Amager:
Outside the three main areas the species is seen in many places in small numbers, with max 5 at Travbaneparken, including an egg-laying female. Maybe the species is more common at Christianshavns vold and Kastrupfortet than the observations indicate, though I suspect that these waters are too deep to be really attractive to the species.
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Sort Hedelibel
(Sympetrum danae)
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Scarce |
28
|
Flight period: June 25 to October 18. Most observations from end July and onward.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding:
First records are from 2003 and has probably been yearly since, with relatively many observations in recent years (2022+), though 2025 has been a poor year with only two observations. The species is normally found in clean forest lakes/bogs, breeding localities closest in N Sjælland. But it is also known to stray after emergence, why it often shows up in funny places. As on Amager.
Most observations have been of mature individuals, but a few tenerals have been encountered as well as matings and egg-laying, indicating strongly that the species has been breeding on the island.
In autumn 2022 I found a few males at Travbaneparken, and the year after saw an explosion of observations here, including matings and egg-laying. I guess the clean water of the newly constructed reservoirs and no fish present made the site attractive to the species. Unfortunately nothing came out of it, with zero obervations 2024 (reproducing in 1 year). And 2025 has also been a zero year, and now the water quality is not as good, and more fish have started to show up, why I'm sure this was a single year wonder.
On Amager and Kalvebod Fælled you often find the species in the more grassy parts, where they tend to stay low, likely out of the wind and general protection - being the small visitor from outside.
Amager Fælled:
Only three observations, as marked on the map. The one at Strandengen-syd was mine, a teneral female, indicating that it was born here closeby. Maybe we are still too few who visit at the right time of year to catch the breeding adults?
Kalvebod Fælled:
Also a moderate number of casual observations [all marked on the map], though the species has been seen several times at Villahøj-syd and along the dirt road (Svenskeholmvej) leading from there to Granatvej, making this the best spot to try to find it. And often late in the season. I had 4 females together here on September 23, 2024, being the largest gatherings of the species so far, away from Travbaneparken.
Kongelundsområdet:
No observations from here at all.
Amager:
As mentioned above, Travbaneparken has been a shortlived stronghold for the species on Amager, but not any more. In 2024 I had the latest observation of the species on the island on October 18 at Søvang-vandhullet.
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Gulvinget Hedelibel
(Sympetrum flaveolum)
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Rare |
29
|
Flight period: June 23 to September 19. Invasion years 2019 and 2025. Most observations from last half of July to first half of August.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding: Strandengen-syd.
Flaveolum is what you would call an influx or invasive species. It only flies in larger numbers in certain years, fueled by migrational bursts from the south or, particularly, the east. The first records from Amager in the citizen-platforms are from 2003. And after that it was recorded in 2004, 2009, 2010, 2014 but only in small numbers. However, in the country in general, 2010 and 2014 were quite good years, but it was not until 2018-2020 that a real invasion took place. This affected the entire country, though the eastern parts had most observations, including Amager. Since then the species has been absent from the island until 2025 where good numbers have been seen at various sites.
They tend to be attracted by the shallow pools found throughout Amager and Kalvebod Fælled. But before maturing you often find them sitting in tall grass at some distance from these waterholes. They can also be found in forest clearings, likely when the weather conditions make them seek shelter. In fact, I named a clearing in Pinseskoven after some of the first individuals I found of this species. A somewhat pretentious name, I have to admit, because I haven't been able to find it there since.
When present, males are always dominant, and the numbers are normally modest, with 10 individuals or more being extraordinary.
Amager Fælled:
Most observations have been made at Strandengen-syd. The seasonal ponds surrounded by tall grass seem ideel for the species. I confirmed egg-laying there in 2025.
Kalvebod Fælled:
It has been seen at different sites in the open, naming Granatsø as the most important, but most observations have been made in the clearings in Pinseskoven.
Kongelundsområdet:
No observations. A single observation in naturbasen from Kofoed's Enge appears to be too imprecise to warrant a red dot on the map. For future searches I would suggest the meadow between Kongelunden and Kalvebod Fælled. It isn't big, but the long-haired grasses might be attractive to the species.
Amager:
Seen at Christianshavns voldgrav in 2018, and at Lergravene and Gåseby-vandhullet in 2025. The waterhole at Lergravene looked like a serious breeding site, though only males were seen.
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Rødåret Hedelibel
(Sympetrum fonscolombii)
|
Rare |
30
|
Flight period: May 15 to September 28. Most observations from June and September.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby.
Breeding: Engsø.
Fonscolombii is a rare and fluctuating species, without being invasive though. Over the last decades it has spread north, and is now seen regularly in southern Scandinavia, though not annually. At least not in the same locations. Good years probably see many individuals arrive on migration from further south in Europe. The first records from Amager in the citizen-platforms are from 2011. And after that it has been recorded in 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025. Both males and females show up, and these incomers can probably be found anywhere, but rarely do, due to their limited numbers.
Early arriving individuals may succeed with egg-laying that will result in same year emergences. This happened both in 2024 and 2025, where May records resulted in young individuals in August, and June observations in 2025 allowing us to enjoy young individuals in September. This was at Engsø, Kalvebod Fælled, which appear to be the only reliable locality on Amager where to find it, and breeding takes place.
Adult patrolling males can be mistaken for male sanguineum, but they tend to be more intense in color. The blue eye and the strongly marked pale oval on the side of the thorax are of course characteristic. Females are more discrete - tee-with-milk kinda first impression...if that makes sense. The young individuals are very striking with a bright straw-yellow color flashing when you flush them from the shore vegetation.
Amager Fælled:
A single observation of a female at Strandengen-midt on May 17, 2024. This was after a long period with a steady eastern wind blowing up from southeast Europe.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Single males plus a single female have been found in clearings in Pinseskoven, and once a male was found along Svenskeholmvej-vest, but the main locality for the species is Engsø where the shallow permanent water with limited shorevegetation seems to be perfect for the species. Mogens Holmen had the first observations in 2019 and after that I've managed to find it here in 2022, 2024, 2025, hoping that 2023 was an exceptionally bad year, and that we can expect the species here on a regular basis in the future.
Kongelundsområdet:
No observations.
Amager:
Young individuals seen at Kløvermarken and Pyrolysegrunden in Septmeber 2011, were the first observed on the island, and very likely were the result of a local breeding. Strangely enough, the species has not been found outside the three main areas since that year.
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Blodrød Hedelibel
(Sympetrum sanguineum)
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Common |
31
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Flight period: June 11 to October 30. Most observations from end of June to end of August.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby and Dragør.
Breeding:
When in the season, this species is one of the most common dragonflies on Amager and practically omnipresent. You see it near water, in forest clearings and sitting on and along roads. At the best places more than a hundred can be seen on the best days. At the breeding sites you will find both mating wheels low in the vegetation as well as the characteristic egg-laying tandems swinging over the ground - a trait of all Sympetrum darters. Just that sanguineum being the most common on Amager, it is also this species that presents this behavior in the most widespread manner. They prefer the dry periphery with long grass next to the water or at some distance from it even. Rarely they drop the eggs directly into the water. Females often continue the egg-laying after the male lets her go. It also happens rarely that the female drops the eggs from a perched position, as probably can all sympetrum species.
There is a tendency that the different darters prefer to stay with their own species. This is probably more true close to the breeding waters (Granatsø has practically only sanguineum), and less so where the animals seek out the forests while maturing. However, later in the season when the animals grow darker, it becomes more tricky to separate the different species. Sanguineum in general is a smaller species than striolatum and vulgatum and the males show more waist, but it is always a good idea to check the needed details before claiming one or the other species.
Amager Fælled:
The combination of tall grasses and good ponds make the entire Strangengen the best place to look for the species. Early in the seaon they also like to sit in the many hawthorns that dominate the area.
Kalvebod Fælled:
Some of the best breeding localities are Birkedammen, Engsø and particularly Granatsø. At the latter site you can see 100+ on the best days. The clearings in Pinseskoven are good for maturing animals, but otherwise you can this species almost everywhere while moving through the area.
Kongelundsområdet:
The clearings are good for maturing animals, particularly Skovfogedmarken and Nordskoven. Both the waterholes in the forest, SV-vandhullet and NØ-vandhullet seem to hold good numbers of breeding individuals as does the water around Kongelundsfortet.
Amager:
This is one of the species likely to show up anywhere on the island, as indicated by the many dots on the map. Out of convenience I've omitted all the observations made on private properties. Not too many, but still, it will be a tedious job in the future to keep the map up-to-date as the observations keep rolling in of this common species.
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Stor Hedelibel
(Sympetrum striolatum)
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Common |
32
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Flight period: June 3 to November 14. Most observations from mid July to end of October.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby and Dragør.
Breeding:
This darter is the next-most common on Amager. It starts to fly a week or two later than sanguineum, which, during the summer months, is seen in larger numbers. You can seen up to 10-20 striolatum at each site, but often you see less. This changes, however, as autumn takes over, and the numbers of sanguineum start to dwindle, while the opposite seems to happen with striolatum. In September and October you can experience large gatherings in the forest clearings, up to 100 is not impossible. They don't seem to do anything but soaking up the sun, and it is reasonable to ask, why such large numbers when the species has been more modest during the breeding months? The species is known for its migrational habits (Netherlands, Belguim), and I speculate whether the larger amounts is the result of migration from the Scandinavian peninsula? You do see them in small numbers at various breeding site late in the season too, but nothing that corresponds with the amounts seen in the forests.
Interestingly, in the citizen platforms the species is hardly being recorded outside the three main areas, except at the well-known localities (mostly by me). If the migration theory is valid, I would have expected more casual observations throughtout than is the case. But perhaps the trickiness of identifying many of the darters holds people back from trying to put a name on them.
This is a relatively new species in Denmark, and has expanded effectively during the last 20-30 years. And back then vulgatum was much more common, living up to its Danish name, but it appears that striolatum has a better adaptability regarding todays environment and climate, why, especially on Amager, when you finally see a vulgatum nowadays you feel lucky and grateful!
It likes to sit both on the ground, on low vegetation or in bushes up to 5-6 meters above the ground. The tip of dead branches above head-height is a good place to look for it in the forests.
Amager Fælled:
Is mainly seen at Den Landskabelige Kanal and Strangengen with Strangengen-syd and Strandengen-midt being the absolutely best places to look for it. Egg-laying has been confirmed here.
Kalvebod Fælled:
As the map indicates it can be seen almost everywhere. Granatsø has shown confirmed breedings. In the open you normally see small numbers, up to 10 max at each site, but in the clearings and sun-exposed trails in the forests, during autumn, you get to see the big numbers, especially Fasanskov-lysningen and Heksegryden in Pinseskoven are good.
Kongelundsområdet:
Here too, the clearings are good for maturing animals, particularly Skovfogedmarken and Nordskoven.
Amager:
As mentioned, hardly seen outside the three main areas. But Travbaneparken is an exception, as well as Søvang-vandhullet to a minor degree. I expect that more frequent searches at some of the sites in the north, would reveal larger numbers here too.
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Almindelig Hedelibel
(Sympetrum vulgatum)
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Common |
33
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Flight period: June 21 to October 27. Most observations in August and September.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby and Dragør.
Breeding:
This is the third most common darter on Amager. It used to be much more common than is the case today. 15 or more years ago you could find 10-20, or more, at good localities, but today you should feel lucky if you manage to find 5!
Apparently the species is being affected negatively by the growing presence of striolatum which has expanded its range northward during the last 3 decades. The true numbers the two between might be obscured by the fact that they can be difficult to separate if not seen well, but even experienced observers are reporting fewer than they used to years ago, why the decline must be a fact. Personally, I've checked hundreds of large darters, especially late in the season in the forest clearings where many striolatum gather, but only rarely managed to find a vulgatum among them.
I think it is also very saying, that during my now 6 years as an odonatistic nature-lover, I have only managed to find a single mating wheel! And no egg-layings.
Amager Fælled:
Not common at all, with only 12 observations in naturbasen since 1950! Most being recent, though.
All records in iNaturalist seem to be of misidentified striolatum. And all records in arter.dk are from Københavns Kommune, but they are all useless with no details and practically all from April 1 - indicating a joke, or at least not imagines - the date being way too early for the species. Mainly seen at Den Landskabelige Kanal and Strandengen-nord.
Kalvebod Fælled:
As the map indicates it can be seen both in the open and the forest. In the open you find it best at the larger lakes, Birkedammen, Engsø, Villahøj and Granatsø, being animals ready for breeding, most likely. But most observations have been made in Pinseskoven where any of the large sun-exposed clearings can be good.
Kongelundsområdet:
Rather few observations in general, but the best places to find it is at Skovfogedmarken, Nordskoven and NØ-diget.
Amager:
Outside the three main areas the species seems to be almost incidental. I had it at Travbaneparken on several occasions in 2023 and 2024, but have seen none in 2025! At all other localities it has only been observed once. But again, as with striolatum perhaps people decide not to report them because the two are difficult to separate.
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Smaragdlibeller og lignende
(Corduliidae)
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Grøn Smaragdlibel
(Cordulia aenea)
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Scarce |
34
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Flight period: April 30 to July 1. Best seen May to beginning of June.
Municipalities: København, Tårnby, Dragør.
Breeding: Den Landskabelige Kanal.
This is one of the first dragonflies to fly in Denmark in spring. It's a rather flexible species having adapted to a variety of water bodies, and elsewhere it can be seen in good numbers, but the species is not common on Amager. It likes to perch in bushes and trees a few meters above the ground, why sun-exposed wind-sheltered clearings is a good place to look for it. Near water it has most often been found at Den Landskabelige Kanal on Amager Fælled. It has been seen on the island every year since I started in 2020, and with a tendency to be more frequent the last 2-3 years.
Amager Fælled:
Most observations are made at Den Landskabelig Kanal. Mostly of singletons, and Bo Nielsen has a record of a larva proving that the species is breeding here.
Kalvebod Fælled:
As the map indicates it has only been seen at a few places in Pinseskoven, with Bagstien as the best site - sun-exposed and sheltered from the wind, they like this place to eat and mature. I've also had it once at Granatsø in May 2022.
Kongelundsområdet:
Only seen on a few occasions. Twice (2023,2024) in Nordskoven, by me, and once at NØ-vandhullet by
Søren M. Rasmussen † in June 2016. In 2025 I had a single observation at Kalvebodhøj-vandhullet. I would guess that the species could be found more often if one visited the clearings in the forest on a regular basis in May.
Amager:
Outside the three main areas the species is rare, and only seen by me on two occasions. Two males at Søvang-vandhullet in May 2024 and once at Travbaneparken in July 2025.
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Plettet Smaragdlibel
(Somatochlora flavomaculata)
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Rare |
35
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Accidental. A single observation, by me, on August 19, 2023 near the shelter Viben at the southern end of Pinseskoven. I was still on my bike, but standing still, when it came flying by and circled a few times. The dark slender body with clearly green eyes and marked pale spots along the abdomen showed clearly.
Municipality: Tårnby.
Normally the species is found in forests with ponds with clear waters. In our region mainly N and C Sjælland. This habitat is not found on Amager, why the species is not expected to become a part of the dragonfly comunity on the island.
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Glinsende Smaragdlibel
(Somatochlora metallica)
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Rare |
36
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Flight period: Seen in July 2021, June and July 2023-2025. 8 records in all.
Municipality: Tårnby.
Breeding:
Only seen by me, in the canal under the bridge, Pumpehus-broen, near Hejresøen on Kalvebod Fælled. I've only seen patrolling males, but the fact that the species keeps coming back, must be a strong indication that females could show up as well.
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