Priority Sites For Dragonflies In Devon

‘Priority Sites’ are those considered by the British Dragonfly Society to hold breeding populations of nationally or locally important species. Sites have to exceed thresholds established by the BDS covering rarity, breeding evidence and abundance or persistence, based on records obtained typically during the last 10 years. The criteria also allow for the identification of locally-important sites based on having a diverse range of breeding species, but all such sites in Devon also qualify because they hold nationally or locally important breeding species.

Priority Site Assessment Details and Instructions

History of Priority Sites in Devon

Priority Site Profiles

Map of Priority Sites of National Importance

Map of Priority Sites of Local Importance

Map of Former Priority Sites of National Importance

Map of Former Priority Sites of Local Importance

Maps of Unconfirmed Priority Sites

History of Priority Sites in Devon

A survey in Devon during 1995 established what were then known as ‘Key Sites’. This survey was repeated in 2005/6, when the current criteria for Priority Sites were established. The data analysed for these surveys covered 1987-1996 and 1997-2006, respectively. A desk exercise covering 2007-2016 and 2017-2024 has been carried out, with a view to encouraging further recording in 2025 and 2026 at sites for which records of recent presence or proof of breeding are lacking. The results for all four periods are given in site files, together with summaries of records for notable species and, where available, habitat descriptions, maps and other relevant details.

Priority Site Profiles

The site files (PDF format) can be viewed and downloaded by clicking on the site name; their locations are exhibited on the maps. Please note that some sites are private and do not have public access.

Number	Site Name	Grid reference
1	Aylesbeare Common RSPB	SY054906
2	Bicton Common	SY040858
3	Blackabrook-Blackaton Cross area	SX569640
4	Blackhill Quarry	SY031853
5	Braunton Marsh	SS4734, 4834
6	Bystock Reserve	SY033843
7	Cadover Bridge area	SX555650
8	Colaton Raleigh Common	SY050868
9	Combeshead Rewilding	SX384914
10	Darts Farm, Topsham	SX973885
11	Exeter Canal (N & S of Countess Wear)	SX947888
12	Exminster Marshes	SX960875
13	Gidleigh Common: Moortown Bottom	SX662891
14	Gidleigh Common: Scorhill Down	SX65278713
15	Godborough Ponds	SS437274
16	Grand Western Canal	ST0113-0214
17	Lower Bruckland Ponds	SY270930
18	Lower Prewley	SX533908
19	Meeth DWT Reserve	SS5308
20	Prewley Moor	SX543909
21	Slapton Ley NNR	SX825440
22	Smallerhanger, Shaugh Moor	SX554642
23	Stover Country Park	SX834751
24	Tor View Moor	SX690918
25	Venn Ottery Common	SY061921
26	Wigford Down	SX537649

Number	Site Name	Grid reference
1	Braunton Burrows	SS4534 etc.
2	Dawlish Warren	SX985792
3	Decoy Country Park	SX865702
4	Gallows Cross SuDS Ponds	SX86127355
5	Harpers Ponds, Double Locks	SX93099016
6	Little Bradley Ponds	SX830778
7	Lower Axe Valley	SY29
8	Lower Clyst Valley	SX9788-9791
9	Lower Otter Valley	SY08-SY09
10	Rackerhayes	SX863724
11	River Torridge	SS40, 41, 50
12	Ventiford Ponds	SX842748

Number	Site Name	Grid reference
1	Chudleigh Knighton Clay Pit	SX841771
2	Corndonford	SX693749
3	Gutter Tor Mire, Sheepstor Common	SX581670
4	Lee Moor	SX5661
5	Legis Mire, Ringmore Down	SX567660
6	Lud Brook Head, Ugborough Beacon	SX661592
7	Lydford Railway Ponds	SX500826
8	Small Brook, near Avon Dam	SX683647
9	Smallhanger Waste	SX575596
10	Vixen Tor Mire	SX539742
11	Walla Brook, Riddon Ridge	SX670772
12	Whitchurch Down	SX507743
13	Wixenford Quarry, Plymouth	SX518546

Number	Site Name	Grid reference
1	Abbrook Pond	SX862743
2	Beesands Ley	SX820410
3	Bowling Green Marsh	SX973876
4	Lower Exe Valley	SX9390-SX9301
5	Lower Tamar Valley	SX4074-4371
6	Matford Pools RSPB	SX936893
7	Netherexe Pond	SX862741
8	Offwell Woodlands	SY189993
9	Seaton Wetlands	SY248906
10	Squabmoor Reservoir	SY040840

History of Priority Sites in Devon

Priority Site Profiles

Priority Sites of National Importance

Priority Sites of Local Importance

Former Priority Sites of National Importance lacking confirmatory post 2016 data (all formerly with records of Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly)

Former Priority Sites of Local Importance lacking confirmatory post 2016 data

Unconfirmed Priority Sites (sites with previous records of nationally or locally important species)