A male Ruddy Darter was found yesterday at Saltcote Pond near Glasson Dock. My take on this discovery is open to challenge on statistics, but this is what I can say with the most up to date data from 2015.
The Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineous is one of the rarest of our areas breeding dragonfly species, second only to the Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii, a statistic I would personally be inclined to doubt, but that's another issue. The Ruddy Darter requires still waters for breeding, alongside another of Lancashire's least widespread breeders, the Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa.
The number of probable/proven breeding sites is no more than a mid-single figure and includes Heysham and Middleton Nature Reserves, and Bank Well at Silverdale, from where a worrying event took place following the last record of Ruddy Darter in 2011, when it was suggested that the introduction of Goldfish into the site, may have had a detrimental effect on the dragonfly fauna there.
As far as abundance of Ruddy Darter is concerned in our immediate local area of Lancashire, just two sites can claim to have had double figures counts, those at Middleton and Bank Well, with 12 at the former in August 1999, and 10 at the latter in 2010.
Ref:The Dragonflies of Lancashire and North Merseyside.
So a Ruddy Darter at Saltcote Pond on 20 July 2023 is excellent news for our area....Well done Martin Jump, and congratulations.
That is good news.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info will keep a look out if round that area.
Ian
I was quite surprised to hear that Ruddy Darter in a bit of a rarity in your area, Pete. It's quite common in these parts. My first for the year was on 15th June which is quite early for this species.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
Ian....Yes, do take a look soon, it's actually a nice little pond too as you know.
ReplyDeleteRichard....Not up to date on sites, but think I might have to travel south to see one, was never going to see one near Lancaster anyhow....until now!
Regards to both....Pete.
I would say that Keeled Skimmer has to be the rarest resident breeder in Lancashire? There have been a few more records of Ruddys over the last couple of years but are they reliably breeding? The other scare but increasing species is Small Red-eyed Damselfly. I don't think it has yet been confirmed in North Lancs?
ReplyDeleteGiven there are no breeding records of Ruddy Darter in Lanc's? You are obviously correct in saying the Keeled Skimmer makes the claim of being the rarest one.
ReplyDeleteThanks and Regards for your looking in Steve.