No.1 May 2005

Dear

Welcome to the Derbyshire Dragonflies News.

Over the next year we will be mailing you on an occasional basis with news of events, sightings and other information about Damselflies and Dragonflies.

The DD web site was established by Richard Taylor with the help of Peter White and the overt enthusiasm of Jim Alder whose competitive edge drives the recording season forward like a rollercoaster ride.

The season is about to begin and, as the tension mounts, the staff at Derbyshire Dragonflies are sharpening their pencils ready to begin recording. What's it going to be? Where's it going to be? Jim is a-quiver and ready to roll!

We would like to hear from you.

Announcing the Fantasy Dragonfly League

If you have visited the web site recently you wil have seen this on the front page. Anyway, fancy your chances? The Fantasy Dragonfly League is for fun only, no prizes. All you have to do is guess the date of the first and last sighting of your chosen six species. The competition closes on 1st December 2005. Click here for details.

Recording in 2005

We are looking for more recorders to assist with a comprehensive survey of Derbyshire. We are particularly short of sites and recorders for the north and west of the County. Please click here to register your interest. We provide a secure login area for you to input your records direct into the database. Your records are then immediately displayed on the DD site and mapped to the location. We are considering developing the "members area" so, if you have any suggestions, please get in touch.

The New Season

Derbyshire, being situated almost in the centre of the UK, tends to 1-2 weeks behind reports from the south of England. This is a good indicator and as early as 20th April the Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) was reported in Surrey. As we write the new season is underway. This weekend, 29/30 April, provided the first opportunity for recording with the emergence of the first Large Red Damselfly. The Large Red is the earliest to emerge in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Monthly Variation

The Large Red has a relatively long season compared with other species in Derbyshire as the chart (right) indicates. This is a species that will appear in most places where there is a stable, unpolluted slow moving water supply. Like many other Odonata species, it can be found away from water in woodlands and gardens.

This specie has a two year life cycle. The larvae feed on a variety of food ranging from protozoans in the early part of the life to larger prey as they grow. Interestingly males tend to appear before females and in greater numbers but, like all Odonata, they are vulnerable when they are emerging and fall prey to a variety of predators as well as poor weather conditions. Females are larger than males

This is a common specie in Derbyshire.

Events

8th May - Butterflies and Dragonflies Walk. Contact Dave Goddard david.goddard8@ntlworld.com

Meet at the fisherman's car park on Newtons Lane at 09:00. Lasts approx. 3 hours.

Map here