Wednesday 3 February 2010

A Dragon sighting in 2001

I have often been intrigued by stories of dragons and didn’t realise people claimed sightings in modern times. I came across this from Karl Shuker:

This took place in Powys, Wales In March 2001.

A British naturalist and some colleagues were conducting some research in the area after being notified by a local of "something" strange that was seen earlier on the year. As they stood at the edge of some woods by a quarry they suddenly spied an extraordinary entity. Measuring 2.5 ft or son in length, it resembled a serpentine dragon with four short limbs, but its head was shaped very like that of a sea horse, and it was airborne---undulating and wriggling as it flew about 10 ft above the surface of the quarry in a wide circle. They were unable to recall seeing any wings, but it had a long tail that terminated in a pair of horizontal, whale like flukes. The entity was green in colour and shimmered somewhat, but appeared solid, not translucent or ethereal, and they watched it for 3-4 minutes, at a distance of approximately 50 ft, before it finally vanished into one of the numerous caves and large crevices pitting the quarry. The naturalist had the distinct impression while watching it that this creature was deliberately seeking to keep them at bay, warning them off from approaching further into its territory.

Source: Karl P N Shuker, Strange Magazine 22

Then in his book, Extraordinary Animals Revisited in a chapter entitled "The Unmentionables" he discusses it again, as the mysterious flying creature reported in 2001 near a quarry in Powys, Wales, which resembled a serpentine dragon with four short limbs, with a head shaped like a sea horse, and undulating as it flew about 10 feet (3.3 metres) above the surface of the quarry in a wide circle .Shuker wrote that this report came from came a bona fide naturalist (who was not named for obvious reasons, the academic world being as it is)), who was convinced that :

“it was neither an optical illusion nor a model, but was truly alive, although its appearance was so uncanny that he felt chilled by the encounter.” (Shuker 2007 :. 281)

Interestingly enough I came across this in historical records: Folklorist Mary Trevelyan interviewed many elderly people living in the Glamorgan area of Wales in the early 19thC. They recalled stories from their youth of a race of winged serpents that lived in the forest around Penllyne Castle. Supposedly they had crested heads and feathery wings. and were brightly coloured and sparkled as if covered with jewels. They rested coiled on the ground but if they felt threatened would attack by swooping down on the intruders. These flying snakes killed poultry and were described as "the terrors of farmyards and coverts" many were shot to protect livestock .

What is interesting is that both the accounts talk of the creatures shimmering or sparkling and swooping on intruders. Is it possible that some strange flying serpent still exists in Wales that gave rise to the dragon stories?


Ref: Karl P. Shuker. 2007 Extraordinary Animals Revisited: From Singing Dogs to Serpent Kings CFZ Press Bideford, North Devon:

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

When I was 11 my brother and I saw a flying dragon at night but it was huge. Maybe the size of a football field and appeared to look as if it was on fire. now that I'm older I think it may have been bioluminence. They are real and still alive. I go out quite iften in hopes I would se it again. I live in Florida

Anonymous said...

When i was 9 i saw what looked like a dragon it had a snake shaped body The body looked black and it moved fast

J3nna said...

when i was 9 i saw a massive figure land in my neighbours backyard, i went and had a look and there was this creature with a long spiked tail, around 10metre long wings and green eyes. i now know that they really are real.

Anonymous said...

i've seen a dragon once... a few years ago, one late night around 10: pm, there was a huge thunderstorm. i'm a huge night owl by the way, and i was WIDE awake. any way, i had nothing to do, so i layed on my bed, listening to the thunder and watching the lighting through my skylight. until i heard a haunting scream that will forever stay in my head. startled, i jumped and scurried over to my other window. it was pitch-black out but when the next flash of lighting came, i saw a big, black body with huge, bat-like wings on it's back. it was flying over the lake i live on from the mountains. i got a really good look at it, even though it was through flashes of lighting but my sighting lasted for about 10 minutes, it got closer then it flew away. after the next flash, it was gone. now, i love dragons, and when i saw one that night, i was wicked happy!

Mountainfox said...

I believe in them! Always have and always will.
Marc Beauchamp
email is
leslieandmarc2@msn.com

fauster4 said...

I saw the same creture described in this article in Hilo, Hi back in 2008. It flew out of a tree and was being chased by 2 sparrows.

Anonymous said...

I saw a dragon at the mid year of 2011. It was afternoon, near evening by then. That time, the rain had just stopped and the skies above my home were still filled with dark clouds but there were some openings within those dark clouds which let some beautiful sunlight beams shone down. I was laying in my bed watching the skies through my bedroom's window. Then, I saw something flying slowly above the dark clouds. Immediately I realized that it was a dragon. I know it is a dragon from its shape, the reptilian head, long neck, long tail, huge body and the bat like wings with the wingspan slightly longer than the length of its body from head to tail. But I couldn't really see it clearly because it flew so high in the sky, blocked by the dark clouds occasionally only to appear in the openings of the clouds where sunlight beams shone down as it flew so all I could see is just a small shadowy dragon figure above me. I couldn't see what colour it is, too. But it was a magnificent sight to me. The dragon just soared gracefully in the sky toward the sun which was still a bit high by then in the west, and the dragon slowly disappeared into the distance. I still remember very clearly of that moment of dragon sighting and I feel very happy and lucky to have saw a real dragon at least once in my life. By the way, I live in the Sabah state of East Malaysia. And my home is located at somewhere close to the mountain foot of the Crocker Range so we often have rains here and the scenery after rain is always very beautiful here. I think no one else in my town beside me sighted the dragon, though. But nonetheless, I think I am very lucky to have sighted a dragon in my country.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I'm just wondering if what all you guys are saying is the truth. I'm not going to judge, but I would really like to know if you are 100% sure it was a dragon, not a plane or some other thing...

Anonymous said...

I'd really like to add something to that last comment. With phenomena like dragons it's always difficult to keep truth and fantasy apart. People haven't seen what they say they've seen, misjudging their observations, or they tell plain lies, which is the basis for all hoaxes in this field and in other cases eye witness reports are misjudged and turned into paranormal stories. A method to make sure stories about "paranormal" phenomena are true is very difficult to develop. Many, if not most stories are hoaxes & lies. That's why most people don't believe in them.

Anonymous said...

@ comment on 3 June 2012 11:37: Well, we did saw dragons and we are not lying about them. Dragons are real. But I think I can't convince you people who do not believe in dragons since we don't have any proof. I can only hope that you will be lucky enough to see one one day. Then you shall believe in them.

David said...

I believed in dragons as a child. Now, at 24, I believe in them once more. To me, dragons might have left this reality, to soar in higher dimensions that lie beyond our comprehension. Sometimes though, their dimension might overlap with ours, and that is when some of us are able to catch glimpses of them. Children are far more susceptible to this because of their imagination. Their belief system has not yet been indoctrinated by the blinded society we live in today. Open your eyes, believe in all the love and benevolence in the world and enjoy the nature around you. Then, maybe then, if you believe in it strong enough, dragons will come to you.

Anonymous said...

I am a new dragonologist and would like to see a dragon i've always been intrugued by them. If someone could tell me where i'm mostlikely to see one plz contact me on face book @ whilliam walles

Anonymous said...

Just for future questions on the locations of dragons: most people think "dragon" and relate it to caves, dungeons, China, and sometime (though I find it quite rediculus...) paralel dimensions(sounds like someones been watching to much yu-gi-oh!). Dragons are an elusive and almost mythicle spesies that do infact exist. The type of dragon you are looking for depends on the country mostly. In Greenland, Poland, and Iceland(just to name a few) are the more dark ages like dragons known as wyverns. China, the more oriental dragons known as spirits(not to be confused with ghosts or souls). In our very own america...almost none. Yah I know. If your lucky to see a dragon in China or Norway its a whole new thing to see a dragon in America. The few sightings indicate more reptilian body style and head. Most species found in america are smaller than their european and asian cousins. The main sighted species sighted are wyvern and wht I call sceptilian or bane dragons. Most dragons live in caves, the sea, deserts, and even large abandoned buildings. Hope this helps. If you have any more qwestions please contact me at...edwardderaps@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds alot like what I saw my story is much more boring. My partner and I we driving home from my parents one night a few years ago. He wasdriving I fell asleep within minutes of us hitting the highway for the 2 hrs drive home. But at one point I woke up and saw this huge black dragon shaped creature fly across the highway just above the tree tops I figured id just imagined it passed out again got home didnt mention it to my partner until 2 days later I asked him if he saw anything on thedrive home he automatically said you mean that big black winged thing ? Freaked me thefuck out

Anonymous said...

look im not sure but I once did see a small reptilian sort of thing
out of curiosity I reached out to touch the reptile and instantly got burned then I saw that it was on fire. I am just saying what I saw I was in the woods and it was on a rock jutting out of the ground I was 9 when this happend please tell me if you know what it was I would like to know. thank you

Anonymous said...

It sure seems that a lot of people saw dragons at the age of 9. Interesting.

Anonymous said...

Most baby dragons don't have visible wings and are quite small. I can't say for sure but I think you might have seen a rare species of reptile. I haven't heard of dragons catching themselves on fire though. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

The lizard like thing that set its self on fire sounds like a classical "Salamander" which in Bestiaries was said to be like a lizard and could live in flames and emit them. (not to be mistaken for the animal we gave the same name too).

Also America has dragons, they however seem to be mostly the mature ones, or else live in rivers and lakes. The Horned Serpents for example which can be found in many a lake and river like the sort of but not really famous white river serpent.

Unknown said...

I saw a dragon when I was 12. It was a extremely strong thunderstorm, I felt something wasn't right. After a flash of lighting, a dark shadow with large wings and a tail darted across the sky. I find my post simular to the 4th post, but it only happend at 6 or 7 pm, and only lasted an instant.

Anonymous said...

My mother and I saw something back in 1998 we were star gazing and It was a calm clear summer night, we would reguarly sit out and chat for hours. That night a strange large ceature flew very slowly over our trees, at first I thought what the hell? Is it manmade a balloon, aircraft all the things you could imagine it passed over us so slowly that all I could conclude was it looked like a dragon. I thought I was hallucinating and was embarressed so my comment was "did you just see what I did omg that was weird" my mum replied yes but we spoke no more of it. It's only been recently that weve redisscussed that night. It was night so there wasn't much detail to be seen, but to this day were baffled and unable to explain what we saw...accept it was very lifelike. A long body forelegs outstretched, black it must of been more than five metres long because it looked large above our willow tree


Anonymous said...

I have been interested in the myth of dragons since i was seven me and my family were coming back from a day at the lake when i noticed somthing at least 20 feet long flying towards the mountain then some trees got in the way when i could finally see it was gone

Anonymous said...

wow.....you guys are lucky. Maybe i'll get to see one sooner or later

Anonymous said...

Was on holiday in iceland 2 years ago. Didnt actually see a dragon flying, however, there was large decomposing body with alot of people gathered around taking pictures. It wasnt too far away from the bottom of a mountain path. The body was very large, it had 2 wings , one was draped over the top half if its body and it had a long tail with a sort of mane going around it. The body was a mix between scales and fur from what i saw. The weirdest part was the head, it had 2 stumpy horns that protuded from its forehead and as its mouth was slightly ajar you could also see some sharp teeth. The whole creature i would say was around 20-25 feet in length, the locals reffered to it as 'the beast of the mountain' but no one actually called it a dragon. This is the only encounter ive ever had like this. To be honest it looked like the creature had fallen down the mountain by the amount of scars and wounds it had on its body. I do belive it to maybe have been a Dragon as nothing else ive searched matches the description of what i saw, but wat else is that big, has big wings, horns on its head, long slimline tail with what looked like fur around it and a scaley and furry body.

Anonymous said...

A few years ago I was laying in the bed of my pick up truck. I was on my back and admiring how beautiful the sky and the clouds were in the sunlight. I was staring at two cloud that were fairly far apart with the blue sky as a backdrop between the clouds. Suddenly from behind one cloud something flew out and across the sky to the other cloud. I was puzzled at first and thought I seeing things. But the thing that flew out of or from above the cloud was something that looked like a dragon. It looked as if it had a long neck, massive wings and tail. I was able to watch for 3 or 4 seconds. It had to be huge because I could make out the shape, not any specific details. I didn't tell anyone about this for at least a year, I only told my wife. That is just one of the strange things I have seen in the skies over Maryland.

Unknown said...

1 year ago I saw the same thing here in bay city Michigan

Anonymous said...

One time about 8 or 9 years ago when I was 14 maybe 15 I was laying in my bed. It was winter and we had a blizzard that night. Knowing I wasn't going to have school in the morning due to snow, I stayed up late. Looking out my window periodically to see the snow accumulation. I looked hear a thud. Thinking it was just snow sliding off the roof or something and I looked out my bedroom window and I seen one sitting on the leak of my garage roof. Wasn't huge but maybe 2-3 feet tall with its back towards me. It wasn't black its skin was almost white-ish or light gray. It sat there for about 30 seconds. I could t believe my eyes my heart sank. I grabbed my cell phone to try and capture a pic but all I got was a blob flying away and no quality image to represent it.(you know how great those 1.3 megapixel LG flip phone cameras were lol) but from that day on I've been fascinated with dragons. Knowing they exist. Even though I was made fun of for sharing my experience with the less fortunate. I live in upper Michigan near border of Wisconsin.

-Trevor

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Wyverns live high up in mountains or in abandened undiscovered caves in forests/woods.

While Serpents live near rivers, the sea,
lakes and quarries.

Lastly Wyrms live near woods and forests and in water.

hope you will find a dragon and good luck.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Daniel Catlover/Knight said...

Why don't you all who've seen dragons give a time and date and specific location, why say nothing or "in michigan", WHERE in such a huge state!? Ugh. And Reece, can you give more details, did you see scales or smooth skin? And whoever said they got a picture, WHERE IS IT?

Unknown said...

I am not lying about this, but earlier on the year on the 24th May 2016, it was a beautiful sunny and warm day for a change because the UK always get rain and we had rain for 4 days straight, but it was a nice, warm and sunny dry day, so I decided to open my bedroom windows and in the distance from my house some houses and trees could be seen and it was all clear blue skies, but a band of white cloud in the distance. I was just watching and then this large and dark coloured flying animal came in to view, at first I thought it was a bird of prey or an eagle or something like that, but then I saw it's tail, it was long and thin. The "dragon" was flying very low and fast, it was about 200 - 300ft from the ground. I managed to scale it with a rooftop that was in front of it and it was the same size, maybe a little bit bigger. Then all of a sudden it went behind a budding willow tree and I could still see it, but when I looked again it disappeared in thin air. I don't drink and I don't smoke weed, I swear down that I was completely 100% sober. But what I saw gave me chills and I waited for a good 5 minutes hoping that it would come closer but obviously it didn't. To be honest I don't know what the f**k I saw, it could've been a dragon or anything, but seriously come on now, is there a flying animal in the UK that is as big as a rooftop and has bat like wings and has a long tail? I don't think so.

This took place in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and I am 17 and I have always believed in dragons, although I have been mocked for sharing my beliefs, what do you think this thing could've been a gargoyle, dragon or some other thing.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

When my mom went to chitznitza she heard weird noises and saw feathers of a dragon i now know to be the mexican amphithere.

Unknown said...

Ah, the amphithere the noble thing about them are that they won't attack you.... unless threatened or provoked. I wish I was lucky enough to see an European amphithere.

Unknown said...

No, I didn't but it turns out that it was a kite, but if you scroll down you will see that I posted of seeing something very odd that happened in May earlier this year and this appeared to shimmer in the sunlight and I saw smooth like skin on the bat - like wings, sorry about my other comment I accidentally deleted it lol.

Unknown said...

Would it be possible to send the photo, I'm intrigued to have a look.

Unknown said...

I am a dragonologist. I've been making a group of people who all believe in dragons and we call it "Dragon Protocol" And i would like for more to join. I plan on visiting that location in the article, to see this for myself or even become friends with the dragon. I've been studying them for years, and even believe i have one that follows me as a spirit. I have sadly yet to see him or her, but i know they are there. If you see this, contact me. dragonprotocol@icloud.com

Unknown said...

Did you take a picture of it?

Unknown said...

Same here, we might be able to convert it to a better pic, because we have tech and apps that can do that now.

Unknown said...

Yo I'm going to take a guess it was a black dragon with horn on its nose and two on its head because that's what I seen when I was about 5 years old and I still remember it we were sitting on a small island in the middle of feeding Ground Lake

Unknown said...

That is my theory of what i have seen and the only way we see dragons are when they come into our dimensions or we see thru thin patches i have had two experiences others just laugh at me but i know to be real

Daniel Catlover/Knight said...

When and where?

Daniel Catlover/Knight said...

When and where?

Daniel Catlover/Knight said...

When and where?

Daniel Catlover/Knight said...

When and where guys?!

Daniel Catlover/Knight said...

WHERE?!

Daniel Catlover/Knight said...

When, where

Daniel Catlover/Knight said...

Where