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.
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.
"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.
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