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Gloucestershire Naturalists' Society |
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Gloucestershire Naturalists' Society |
1998
1998 was a mixed year for dragonflies with the start of the year being quiet due to the weather - floods in April (the wettest April this century) and a very wet June. But things got better!
Much recording has taken place in the Forest of Dean, mainly by John Phillips, who is on the Odonata Records Committee. Two highlighted for this year were the re-discovery of the Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) in the Cinderford Linear Park on 6th August near the site which was previously destroyed by the building works several years ago and the discovery of a new species for Gloucestershire - the Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchelllum) on 1st August also in Linear Park.
This brings the total of Odonata species in Gloucestershire to 30, there being 11 species of damselfly and 19 species of dragonfly.
The identification of the Variable Damselfly is, as its name suggests, quite difficult, and is best carried out in the presence of Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion pulllella) when it will appear darker overall, slightly smaller and more dainty. Careful examination is obviously required for correct identification.
Other previously reported migrant dragonflies, such as Yellow-winged Darter (Sympetrum flaveolum) and the Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), were not seen this year, although the latter had its best year ever in Britain.
Another record of note was the presence of Downy Emeralds (Cordulia aenea) at Swillbrook Lakes N.R. in the Cotswold Water Park seen both in May and June. This is a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve, although in Gloucestershire!
It is also interesting to note the distribution of the Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum). This once scarce damselfly is now much more widespread, spreading both North and Westward in the county and the country.
Key Wildlife Sites criteria for Odonata were revised and accepted in late 1998. Eight species of Odonata are now on this list:
National RDB species occurring in Gloucestershire.
County "scarcities" not included in above.
Sites with a wide diversity of Odonata would also be likely to qualify, not necessarily a site with 14 species, but on habitat or vast numbers present.
1999
1999 was a quiet year for dragonflies on the whole, with a few exceptions.
Again, the Forest of Dean was well recorded by John Phillips who found the Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) at Speech House Lake on 12th July and the Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) at Blackpool Brook lagoon on 30th August. There is a possibility that this dragonfly may be breeding in the Dean as evidence of mating has been seen. Also, the Lesser Emperor definitely bred in Cornwall in 1999, so with global warming, it may yet breed in Gloucestershire.
An unexpected sighting occurred at Speech House lake on 15th July of the Club-tailed Dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus) as this is some distance away from its usual haunts along the River Wye. Sightings of Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea), Black Darter (Sympetrum danae) and Golden-ringed Dragonfly (Cordulygaster boltonii) were also noted at various locations in the Dean.
Other interesting observations in the U.K. are that some dragonflies are being seen earlier and later in the year, thereby extending the flight-time; examples of this are the Emperor (Anax imperator) being seen on both earlier and later dates and the Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) in late August.
With this changing pattern we may yet see other dragonflies in the county, so it is well worth looking out for species such as Small-red Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum) which was seen in the U.K. for the first time in 1999 in Essex.
Also of note during the year, Paul Holliday, the BDS Local Group Co-ordinator, resigned due to work commitments.
Although I have mainly mentioned the rarer dragonflies in this report, I have received other records of the more usual species for which I am very grateful and thank those who have sent in the records for 1998 and 1999. This year, 2000, I would love to receive even more, from all over the county, as it is my wish to try and publish a supplement to Sonia Holland's booklet on the "Distribution of Dragonflies in Gloucestershire" in the not too distant future. Records from the east of the county especially would be very welcome.
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