Our heathlands are important habitats for ground-nesting birds, but they suppport a range of other species too, including a variety of dragonflies and damselflies. Where ponds have been created on heathland by man, either incidentally through peat digging or through gravel abstraction, or purposefully by 'scraping' with a digger, many species will flock to them. The Four-Spotted Chaser Dragonfly can be seen on Caesar's Camp, near Aldershot, hawking for mosquitos amongst the scrub, and it is itself often preyed upon by hobbies. Look too for the large and impressive Emperor Dragonfly, which will lay eggs in ditches and small ponds, using floating vegetation as a raft.
One of our smaller heathland sites, Ancells Farm, near Fleet, is notable for its population of Small Red Damseflies. This is a nationally rare damselfly but it is quite common at Ancells Farm. It has a rather weak, fluttering flight and tends to fly low over vegetation. Look for it amongst the Bog Myrtle on the fringes of the pond between June and September.
One of our smaller heathland sites, Ancells Farm, near Fleet, is notable for its population of Small Red Damseflies. This is a nationally rare damselfly but it is quite common at Ancells Farm. It has a rather weak, fluttering flight and tends to fly low over vegetation. Look for it amongst the Bog Myrtle on the fringes of the pond between June and September.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are running a guided walk at Ancells Farm on Sunday 10 August, which will explore the hidden lives of these fascinating insects. The walk will run from 10.30am - 12pm. For further details, please contact Oliver Hine on 01256 381190. Suggested donation £1.50. Dogs on leads are welcome!
Oliver
Grazing Project Team
Oliver
Grazing Project Team
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment