A study on pond management for Northern Damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum)
29/01/2024
Stephen Corcoran, County Dragonfly Recorder for Moray, carried out a surveys of ponds that have been created and managed for Northern Damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum) with the aim of assessing the work, and make further recommendations.
Executive summary: All 12 ponds where management work was undertaken and the 11 new ponds that were built in 2022 and 2023 were surveyed in the summer of 2023. At six of the new ponds Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum) adults were seen, with breeding recording at five of these. Ten Odonata species were recorded at one of the new ponds, an excellent outcome given the pond is less than 18 months old. Creating more new ponds will provide habitat for new populations of Northern damselfly as well as many other wetland species, and this should be the focus of any new project.
Three of the new ponds had virtually dried up with another one only half full of water. Management works has improved most of the 12 sites. Further management of ponds is recommended and advice on future pond design is detailed below.
Image Dave Smallshire