A rare dragonfly has been spotted by a local group in Shropshire.
The sighting of the scarce chaser dragonfly was confirmed at Severn Valley Country Park thanks to a photograph shared on the Severn Valley Country Park Wildlife Group Facebook page.
Wai (Jimmy) Yau, a regular visitor to the park, unknowingly captured the insect and shared it online.
John Freshney, the group’s administrator, recognised it as potentially rare and sent the photo to Sue Rees Evans, Shropshire county recorder for the British Dragonfly Society.
Ms Rees Evans confirmed it was a scarce chaser dragonfly — only the second recorded sighting in Shropshire, the first being in 2008 at Attingham Park.
Mr Yau, a member of the wildlife group since September 2025, said: "When I posted the series of photographs which included the Scarce Chaser dragonfly, I wasn’t aware I had captured an image of such a rare species.
"I was happy to be able to share my photographs with the Group and am delighted to hear it was only the second recorded sighting in Shropshire."
He said: "This year in May alone, members of the Group recorded 65 species of different birds, insects, butterflies and mammals across the Park."
Edward Andrews, parks and countryside manager at Shropshire Council, said: "It is fantastic to see new species of wildlife taking up residence at Severn Valley Country Park.
"The site is a wonderful example of how nature can reclaim former industrial land."
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