One million UK dragonfly records!

The British Dragonfly Society (BDS) started work on the new Atlas in 2008 when the database held 530,000 records.

Dragonfly atlas reaches 1,000,000 records

March 2013. The British Dragonfly Society (BDS) now has more than one million records of dragonflies in the UK! This stunning and remarkable achievement has been reached after a co-ordinated recording effort fuelled by the society's atlas project. The project started in 2008 with the aim of mapping the complete distribution of dragonflies in Britain.

1 millionth record

During the five year survey period the total number of observations of dragonflies has almost doubled and the target of one million records has been achieved. This milestone was marked this week by a special award to Ingrid Twissell. Her record of a Ruddy Darter from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire on 9th August 2012 was the one millionth entry to the BDS database. She was presented with a signed Richard Lewington print of a Ruddy Darter at the British Dragonfly Society's annual Recorders' Conference. This milestone in recording also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the BDS.

Scotland and Wales

Even more impressive than reaching the target of one million records has been the extent of coverage for the new atlas, particularly in Scotland and Wales. Here potential dragonfly habitat in virtually all under-recorded areas has been surveyed for records. This has only been possible through the dedicated efforts of a small team of volunteers coordinated by the British Dragonfly Society's Dragonfly Recorder Network. Coverage has also been aided by recorders arranging dragonfly recording holidays to more remote parts of the British Isles. As a result, the atlas to be published later this year will provide a comprehensive picture of the current status of these fascinating insects and allow future changes to be monitored.

Continued

New habitat created for Endangered Southern damselfly in Pembrokeshire

New Habitat Created for Damsels in Distress
March 2012. A beautiful but endangered damselfly is being helped thanks to habitat work funded by Environment Wales. This partnership between the British Dragonfly Society (BDS), Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) and Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) has created valuable new habitat for the rare Southern Damselfly. 

A high-priority BAP species, the Southern damselfly is described as ‘Endangered' in the Red Data Book and is protected by both UK and European law. It is found in Anglesey, the Gower, Pembrokeshire and Southern England - particularly Devon and the New Forest. 

Lack of grazing
One of its UK strongholds is Pembrokeshire. The species has dramatically declined here because there is insufficient grazing by heavy livestock at some of its sites. This has resulted in its habitat becoming overgrown.

The project managed by the BDS and supervised by their volunteers has created new habitat using a digger. Through the partnership, the BDS provided expert species knowledge and habitat management advice. The PCNPA who own and manage the site, assessed the suitability of the ground conditions for creating Southern damselfly habitat. PCNPA also organised the digger work and provided invaluable site knowledge to ensure the success of this habitat creation work.

PCNPA have wanted to help the Southern damselfly for several years now. This partnership project ensures that the Southern damselfly habitat created is optimal for this species and will be maintained by correct site management in the future. CCW provided the expert site management advice for Southern damselflies in Pembrokeshire.

The digger created shallow streams leading from natural springs found on site. These improvements have regraded the bank profile of ditches, improved accessibility for livestock and created shallow streams and pools. Two pools were created on the site in 2005, so aquatic vegetation should colonise the new areas. There are Southern damselfly colonies nearby, so it is hoped that it will not be long before this beautiful insect is found on the site. Ponies graze the site as part of the habitat management. 

"This partnership project is great for the Southern damselfly which is declining in Pembrokeshire and needs areas of habitat that will be maintained by grazing", said Claire Install, BDS Conservation Officer.

Read on:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/pembrokeshire-damselfly.html