Common darter (Chris Harris)
The Gwent Levels is being recognised as a ‘Dragonfly Hotspot’ by the British Dragonfly Society.
Newport Wetlands and Magor Marsh nature reserves are to join a list of sites from across the UK that have been specially chosen for the range of dragonfly and damselfly species they support, their ease of access, and for the opportunity they afford to learn more about these iconic wetland insects. The Levels is home to around 20 different species, many of which depend on the network of reens and ditches.
The two sites will be added to the list of Hotspots in 2024 as a combined site representing the Gwent Levels. Currently, the list includes only one other Welsh location, Llangorse Lake, along with ten sites in Scotland and ten in England.
Steve Preddy, County Dragonfly Recorder for Monmouthshire, said:
"This recognition highlights just how valuable the Levels are for dragonflies and other aquatic insects; Newport Wetlands and Magor Marsh set examples that, if adopted elsewhere on the Levels, will go a long way towards helping Wales meet its nature recovery goals."
Living Levels will be planning a series of events in 2024, along with Natural Resources Wales, RSPB, Gwent Wildlife Trust, and British Dragonfly Society, to celebrate this good news. The new Hotspot will be officially launched during Dragonfly Week at the beginning of July 2024.
The Dragonfly Hotspot project was launched in Scotland in 2014 and is supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and John Ellerman Foundation.
Migrant hawker (Chris Harris)
Visit the British Dragonfly Society website for more information about the Dragonfly Hotspots Project.