Summer 2009 - Scottish Natural Heritage

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Dragonfl ies are sensitive to temperature, which makes them useful for studies on how climate change is affecting the natural world. The information collected can also be used to monitor endangered species and help them recover. Records of breeding activity are particularly important for identifying key dragonfl y sites. Scotland has always been underrecorded because of its large size and relatively small population. However, the BDS aims to survey all of it before the end of 2012. The country has been divided up into 10-km squares – all 1119 of them. 2008 was the fi rst year of recording for the atlas and, despite the poor weather, volunteers provided records for 172 of the 10-km squares, or about 15% of the total. More volunteers are needed to cover all the <strong>Scottish</strong> squares before the end of the project. If you’re interested in getting involved then you could help by recording dragonfl y activity in your neighbourhood. There are fi ve key pieces of information that make up a good dragonfl y record: the name of the species you’ve seen, where you saw it, the map reference, the date and your name/contact details. Extra information that’s also really helpful includes the life stage of the dragonfl y – whether it’s an adult, a larva or just the discarded ‘skin’ when it becomes an adult. Other information you can collect includes the type of habitat, the weather, the height of the site and breeding behaviour. All the data collected will be used as a starting point from which to monitor changes, and work out whether they’re due to the habitat being altered, pollution, climate change or competition. You can enter records online at the BDS website www.dragonfl ysoc.org.uk To give the project a boost in Scotland the BDS and SNH are co-hosting an event at Loch Leven National Nature Reserve on 22 July. It will include a hands-on afternoon discovering the wonderful world of dragonfl ies, as well as an evening talk. You can fi nd further details at www.snh. org.uk/scottish/taysclack/events.asp 3 18 The Nature of Scotland
4 Rough guide to dragonflies Dragonfl ies and damselfl ies belong to the insect group known as Odonata, meaning ‘toothed jaw’, because their mouthparts are jagged. They’re often referred to jointly as ‘dragonfl ies’, but damselfl ies are the much smaller and weaker fl ying relatives of dragonfl ies. The life cycle is egg (usually laid under water), larva or nymph (free moving and water dwelling) and adult. The larva lives for several weeks (or years depending on the species) under water and undergoes a series of moults as it grows. It emerges from the water when it’s ready to undergo its fi nal moult, where the ‘skin’ splits to release the winged adult. Dragonfl ies are harmless to people as they have no sting and will not attack. 5 Adult dragonfl ies are skilful hunters. They eat other fl ying insects, particularly fl ies, midges and mosquitoes. They also take butterfl ies, moths and smaller dragonfl ies. The larvae, which live in water, eat almost anything that’s living and smaller than themselves. Among the species that catch and eat adult dragonfl ies are birds, spiders and frogs. 3 Moorland bogs and pools are where you’ll find the northern emerald dragonfly. It’s restricted to northwest Scotland, apart from a tiny colony in southwest Ireland. 4 Large red damselflies are among the earliest species to appear each spring. 5 The azure hawker is widespread in the Highlands and is only found in Scotland. Dragonfl ies such as the emperor can reach a length of about 85 mm with a wingspan of around 120 mm. Damselfl ies are much smaller, demoiselles being the largest – they have a body length of about 50 mm and a wingspan of around 60 mm. The maximum speed of large species like the hawkers is around 25–30 mph. Average cruising speed is probably about 10 mph. An old name for damselfl ies was ‘devil’s darning needles’. This comes from an old myth that if you went to sleep by a stream on a summer’s day, damselfl ies would use their long, thin bodies to sew your eyelids shut! www.snh.org.uk 19
Page 1: Scottish Natural Heritage Summer 20
Page 4 and 5: Credits The Nature of Scotland The
Page 6 and 7: Wild calendar Long days and bright
Page 8 and 9: Brown-eyed twirl Warm summer days,
Page 10 and 11: Unearthing nature’s wonders What
Page 12 and 13: Just what the doctor ordered Scotla
Page 14 and 15: 2 Nature is good for you - that’s
Page 16 and 17: 4 Outdoor activity offers everyone
Page 18 and 19: 1 16 The Nature of Scotland
Page 22 and 23: Dualchas coitcheann Common heritage
Page 24 and 25: City sights The most popular visito
Page 26 and 27: Inspiring children During the week,
Page 28 and 29: NEWS Searching beneath the surface
Page 30 and 31: NEWS Wildcat stronghold project A n
Page 32 and 33: Join the club! Ewen Cameron and Pet
Page 34 and 35: The featured naturalists include th
Page 36 and 37: Events diary 2009 July Saturday 4 O
Page 38 and 39: Island of the cowled women Loch Lom
Page 40 and 41: 2 Walk on for about 10 minutes and
Page 42 and 43: 6 From Port Bawn take the low path
Page 44 and 45: SNH Area News East Highland Corresp
Page 46 and 47: SNH Area News Strathclyde and Ayrsh
Page 48 and 49: 46 The Nature of Scotland
Page 50 and 51: You’ll come across national parks
Page 52 and 53: For instance, Loch Lomond & The Tro
Page 54 and 55: Learning from the past Scotland has
Page 56 and 57: Living with change Over the last hu
Page 58 and 59: National Trust for Scotland ranger
Page 60 and 61: Kids only! You will need: 4 pipe cl
Page 62 and 63: 1 “It was the bestest day in scho
Page 64 and 65: 3 Experience the wild The fi rst pr
Page 66: Join our mailing list The Nature of

Summer 2009 - Scottish Natural Heritage

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