The Dragonfly Atlas Project

© Dave Kitching
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguinum).

The Dragonfly Atlas Project for Lancashire, Greater Manchester and North Merseyside is now up and running until 2009 under the auspices of the Lancashire & Cheshire Fauna Society and Greater Manchester Biodiversity Project. The aim is to record the distribution, abundance and breeding status of all dragonflies and damselflies in our region and then publish a book summarising this information. It is expected that the atlas will be published in 2010.

Volunteers are needed to record wetlands in one or more tetrads (2x2km squares) at least once a month between May and SeptemberVolunteers are needed to record wetlands in one or more tetrads (2x2km squares) at least once a month between May and September. Garden ponds can be included as well as the wider countryside. Read how you can take part. Detailed instructions on how to do the recording are available from the project organisers.

© Phil Smith
Volunteers are needed to record our dragonflies.

Dragonflies are among the most spectacular and entertaining insects. They have become increasingly popular in recent years partly because there are now several excellent field guides and also because all the British species can be identified from a distance using binoculars. Because of this, many birdwatchers have also taken up dragonfly spotting.

Currently, these insects are of particular interest because they are responding spectacularly to climate change. Thirty years ago, only 12 species occurred in our recording area; today the total is up to 23, nearly twice as many!Currently, these insects are of particular interest because they are responding spectacularly to climate change. Thirty years ago, only 12 species occurred in our recording area; today the total is up to 23, nearly twice as many! Most of the new arrivals have spread up from the south and east of England as temperatures have increased. A few, like the Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), are long-distance migrants from the continent. Their invasions have become more frequent and they are beginning to colonise the country. Thus, The Red-veined Darter bred at Brockholes Quarry, Preston last year. Another potential newcomer is the Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum), first recorded in Essex in 1999. It is rapidly spreading north and west, reaching Derbyshire by 2006. Who will be the first to record it in the Northwest?

There is also a chance of finding dragonflies that breed just outside our region, for example in Cumbria or Cheshire, but which have so far eluded Lancastrians. We should be on the lookout for Hairy Hawker (Brachytron pratense), Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea), Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum caerulescens) and Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum). However, the way the climate is changing, almost anything could turn up!the way the climate is changing, almost anything could turn up!