Rare dragonflies seen by canal

A rare flying insect has been seen in Appledore.

Willow emerald damselflies have been noticed along the Royal Military Canal for the first time this summer.

Members of the National Trust’s ‘dragonfly league’, which monitors dragonflies and damselflies for conservation purposes across the South East, made the discovery.

Habitat loss, pollution and the use of pesticides have contributed to a huge decline of dragonflies and damselflies, with global warming shrinking the habitats where insects live and rising temperatures damaging many species’ ability to reproduce.

However, some species, including the willow emerald, are beginning to adapt to milder temperatures and inhabit new sites for the first time.

The species has only been only reliably recorded in the UK on three occasions before 2009, yet now it is believed the willow emerald appears to be breeding along the waterway in Appledore.

National Trust area ranger Andrew Dyer, who looks after the countryside around Appledore, said, “We’ve spotted around 30 willow emerald damselflies along the canal, which indicates a strong population.

“Keeping records is crucial, as well as understanding what may hinder the species in the future.

“We’re grateful to our fantastic volunteers and the wider public who’ve taken up the mantle to help us record that information.”

National Trust wildlife and nature expert Matthew Oates, added: “It’s fantastic to have the willow emerald on the Royal Military Canal, which already hosts several other scarce species of dragonfly.

“We look forward to welcoming it to other ponds and canals.”