The White-Faced Darter by Eleanor Clover Pages 28

sprung up over the past couple of decades with the aim of creating new habitat for the Whitefaced Darter and establishing new populations. In 2008 a reintroduction project started at Fowlshaw Moss; eggs and larvae were collected from another known breeding site and released into pools on the nature reserve. Every summer volunteers recorded the number of exuviae (the shed exoskeleton left behind by adults after emergence) and flying adults around the reintroduction pools. Their records showed the project was a resounding success and a breeding population is now well established. Following this big win for the White-faced Darter, the project is now being repeated at Drumburgh Moss Wildlife Trust nature reserve on the Solway. Since 2018, British Dragonfly Society volunteers David Clarke and Mike Abbs have been assisting the Wildlife Trust in relocating eggs and larvae from a donor site to their new pools at Drumburgh, then monitoring the results. Despite the cold spring, new White-faced Darter adults appear to have emerged in good numbers in 2021. However, it will take a few more years to determine whether a stable population has been established. It is hoped the rich and diverse wetlands of the Solway will provide a perfect new home for the White-faced Darter, and with a little help, the species could become a more common sight within the landscape. The British Dragonfly Society promoted the conservation of dragonflies and their wetland habitats, including running the national dragonfly

Leucorrhinia dubia. exuvia. © Christophe Brochard Leucorrhinia dubia. White-faced Darter © Christophe Brochard

recording scheme. The charity is predominantly run by a dedicated team of volunteers, who carry out outreach events, recording and practical habitat management projects. To find out more about dragonflies and how you can contribute to their conservation, visit www.british-dragonflies. org.uk

Queries regarding conservation and monitoring should be sent to conservation@ british-dragonflies.org.uk; queries regarding outreach and communications should be sent to fiona.mckenna@british-dragonflies.org.uk