Dazzling Dragonflies in Dorset

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath Nature Reserve features in a new guide to the top 40 places in the UK to see dragonflies. Despite the huge fire on 9th June, many species of dragonflies can still be seen on the remaining heathland, as confirmed in the latest online guide from The Wildlife Trusts.

There be dragons at Dorset!

Nigel Brooks, Warden at Dorset Wildlife Trust, says “Upton Heath will make a slow recovery after the fire, but there are still areas of wet heathland and hidden ponds that are the perfect habitat for dragonflies. We have 25 recorded species on the reserve, including heathland species such as the black darter and small red damselfly. We also have the UK’s biggest dragonfly, the emperor. My favourite has to be the broad bodied chaser though because of the amazing patterns on its wings.”

How can I get involved?

Dorset Wildlife Trust is holding an Urban Dragonflies day on Saturday 6th August where you can learn more about dragonflies and damselflies, such as how to identify different species. There will be a guided walk in the morning across Borough of Poole reserve Alder Hills, followed by an informative slideshow while you eat your packed lunch at Upton Country Park.The day is then finished in style with a guided visit to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath Reserve to look for heathland dragonflies, giving you the chance to learn just why this reserve was named as one of the top 40 places to see dragonflies.

The Urban Dragonflies day is on Saturday 6th of August, meeting at the Alder Hills car park in Parkstone at 10.30 am for the morning walk. Alternatively you can join at 12pm with your packed lunch at Upton Country Park car park for the slideshow, followed by the Upton Heath walk.

Where can I read the guide?

The new guide “Best places to see: Dragonflies and damselflies” is published at www.wildlifetrusts.org/dragonflies
 

-ENDS-
Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Nicky Hoar at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.

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About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Working for a secure future for Dorset’s wildlife enriching the quality of life Dorset Wildlife Trust works to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living. Founded in 1961, DWT is now the largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, with over 25,000 members and over 40 nature reserves. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve. DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues and leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.

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The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) www.wildlifetrusts.org

There are 47 individual Wildlife Trusts covering the whole of the UK and the Isle of Man and Alderney. All are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. We have more than 800,000 members including 150,000 members of our junior branch Wildlife Watch. Our vision is to create A Living Landscape and secure Living Seas. We manage around 2,300 nature reserves and every year we advise thousands of landowners and organisations on how to manage their land for wildlife. We also run marine conservation projects around the UK, collecting vital data on the state of our seas and celebrating our amazing marine wildlife. Every year we work with thousands of schools and our nature reserves and visitor centres receive millions of visitors. Each Wildlife Trust is working within its local communities to inspire people about the future of their area: their own Living Landscapes and Living Seas.

 Emperor dragonfly - Nigel Brooks

Broad bodied chaser - Nigel Brooks

 Golden-ringed dragonfly - Nigel Brooks