Latest news with #dragonfly
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
First recorded sighting of rare dragonfly in Belfast hailed by conservationists
The first recorded sighting of a rare type of dragonfly in Belfast has been hailed by conservationists. The black-tailed skimmer dragonfly was spotted by volunteers at Bog Meadows Nature Reserve in the west of the city last week. Nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife say it is the first such recorded sighting in Belfast and only the second sighting in County Antrim. Volunteers David Littlejohn and Ellen Sheridan described how they had been taking a short break from litter picking when they noticed a flurry of dragonfly activity and stopped to observe. They managed to photograph the black-tailed skimmer along with a female emperor dragonfly and a common darter. Ulster Wildlife said the black-tailed skimmer has a very limited distribution in Northern Ireland, particularly in the east of the region, with few records overall, and described its presence at Bog Meadows as a 'significant find, underlining the importance of this urban wildlife haven'. It comes after habitat improvements carried out at the nature reserve in recent years by the charity that manages the 47-acre site. The newly created pond and scrapes provide the ideal open water and bare bank habitat favoured by dragonflies. Mr Littlejohn, who photographed the rare creature, said they had noticed more dragonflies recently than ever before but hadn't expected to spot something so rare. 'It's fantastic to see the nature reserve supporting such a variety of species,' he said. Ms Sheridan added: 'The black-tailed skimmer was a real highlight! It really shows how important it is to protect places like this for wildlife.' Dawn Patterson, community engagement officer at Bog Meadows with Ulster Wildlife, said the discovery is a 'testament to the hard work of our volunteers and the improvements we've made to the habitats here at Bog Meadows'. 'To find the first black-tailed skimmer for Belfast – and only the second for County Antrim – right in the heart of the city shows what's possible when we create the right conditions for nature to thrive,' she said. 'Bog Meadows continues to surprise us with its growing list of wildlife highlights, and we hope this inspires more people to visit and get involved.' Last year, the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve was the scene for an eight-year-old schoolboy discovering a rare water stick insect. Kohen Fitzsimmons made the discovery, which was the first record of the species in Northern Ireland, while pond dipping with classmates from his school. Ulster Wildlife said the 'urban oasis is on the map as a haven for biodiversity'.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
First recorded sighting of rare dragonfly in Belfast hailed by conservationists
The first recorded sighting of a rare type of dragonfly in Belfast has been hailed by conservationists. The black-tailed skimmer dragonfly was spotted by volunteers at Bog Meadows Nature Reserve in the west of the city last week. Advertisement Nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife say it is the first such recorded sighting in Belfast and only the second sighting in Co Antrim. Volunteers David Littlejohn and Ellen Sheridan described how they had been taking a short break from litter picking when they noticed a flurry of dragonfly activity and stopped to observe. They managed to photograph the black-tailed skimmer along with a female emperor dragonfly and a common darter. The rare black-tailed skimmer dragonfly was discovered at Ulster Wildlife's Bog Meadows Nature Reserve by David Littlejohn and Ellen Sheridan (David Littlejohn/UlsterWildlife/PA) Ulster Wildlife said the black-tailed skimmer has a very limited distribution in the North, particularly in the east of the region, with few records overall, and described its presence at Bog Meadows as a 'significant find, underlining the importance of this urban wildlife haven'. Advertisement It comes after habitat improvements carried out at the nature reserve in recent years by the charity that manages the 47-acre site. The newly created pond and scrapes provide the ideal open water and bare bank habitat favoured by dragonflies. Mr Littlejohn, who photographed the rare creature, said they had noticed more dragonflies recently than ever before but hadn't expected to spot something so rare. 'It's fantastic to see the nature reserve supporting such a variety of species,' he said. Ms Sheridan added: 'The black-tailed skimmer was a real highlight! It really shows how important it is to protect places like this for wildlife.' Advertisement Dawn Patterson, community engagement officer at Bog Meadows with Ulster Wildlife, said the discovery is a 'testament to the hard work of our volunteers and the improvements we've made to the habitats here at Bog Meadows'. 'To find the first black-tailed skimmer for Belfast – and only the second for Co Antrim – right in the heart of the city shows what's possible when we create the right conditions for nature to thrive,' she said. 'Bog Meadows continues to surprise us with its growing list of wildlife highlights, and we hope this inspires more people to visit and get involved.' Eight-year-old Kohen Fitzsimmons found the first recorded location of a water stick insect in Northern Ireland in Bog Meadows Nature Reserve (Ulster Wildlife/PA) Lifestyle Living example of traditional farmland safeguarded... Read More Last year, the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve was the scene for an eight-year-old schoolboy discovering a rare water stick insect. Advertisement Kohen Fitzsimmons made the discovery, which was the first record of the species in the North, while pond dipping with classmates from his school. Ulster Wildlife said the 'urban oasis is on the map as a haven for biodiversity'.
BBC News
28-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Rare dragonflies spotted as RSPB Campfield Marsh awarded title
A nature reserve has been named as the UK's newest dragonfly hotspot as two rare species have been spotted at the white-faced darter, a rare dragonfly, was introduced to RSPB Campfield Marsh in Wigton in April and it is hoped there will be breeding pairs in British Dragonfly Society designated it to become the 12th hotspot in the UK, saying it had "amazing habitat management" with deep bog pools which "should provide the perfect conditions for the species to thrive".RSPB Cumbria Coast reserve warden, Dan Cropper, who recorded two male white-faced darter at the site recently, said the recognition was a "testament to the health of our peat bogs". The white-faced darter, named for its distinctive chalk-white profile, has seen its numbers severely decline in England where it only exists in a handful of Cropper said he had recently recorded seeing two males on site but no females yet. "It would be amazing to see female dragonflies dipping their tails into the water and releasing their eggs."This would mean that our site could be a provider to save the species."Dragonfly hotspots are chosen because they are "fantastic places" for the insects to thrive and are easily accessible, according to the society. Conservation officer for the British Dragonfly Society, Eleanor Colver, said the white-faced darter was "vulnerable to extinction"."Thanks to the amazing habitat management work of the RSPB, the peat wetland at Campfield Marsh, with its deep bog pools, should provide the perfect conditions for the species to thrive," she added. LISTEN: Meet the rare White-faced Darter dragonfly Mr Cropper said: "Cumbria is an English stronghold for the white-faced darter and we're really lucky to have the dragonfly here." He added Campfield Marsh was a "nice mosaic of different habitats - salt marsh, wet grassland and peat bogs - which provides different habitats for our 13 species of dragonfly". "The dragonfly hotspot title demonstrates the importance of the site and will hopefully engage people to come and take interest in the insects. "We are tucked away up here so it's important for the site to have recognition," he event to celebrate the title will be held at the site on 5 July which will include guided dragonfly walks and pond dipping. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
