Tuesday, 7 September 2021

I Suppose That Something Had to Benefit?

As mentioned in my 'Seeing the Changes 1534' post, I was deeply impressed by the unusual sight of a mass of large, whirling dragonflies, I encountered whilst out on a local 'run'. The British Dragonfly Society has issued its State of Dragonflies in Britain and Ireland 2021 report (https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/state-of-dragonflies-2021-report-press-release/). The report notes that 19 of the 46 resident and regular immigrant species of dragonflies and damselflies (smaller versions of Odonata), have increased their numbers and their ranges. Only 5 species have shown declines. The report emphasises that most dragonflies appreciate relatively high ambient temperatures. Climate change is consequently likely to benefit them. This is, of course, unless the ponds they rely on for their long-lived nymphs dry up and/or numbers of their insect prey decline. So, climate change may benefit UK Odontata and enthusiasts for these insects?

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Birder's Bonus 241

Noted a Curlew ( Numenius arquata ) on the Loughor estuary at Bynea.