Jo Whitaker, Panshanger Park's People and Wildlife Officer, reports on the Hertfordshire park being named a dragonfly hotspot and upcoming events.
As the summer season progresses it’s a good time of year to be looking for dragonflies and damselflies. Why not head down to Panshanger Park for some great spotting opportunities.
This summer Panshanger Park celebrates having been named a dragonfly hotspot by the British Dragonfly Society (BDS).
The BDS is the world’s largest volunteer-led organisation, which specialises in the study and conservation of dragonflies, damselflies and their wetland habitats.
The dragonfly hotspot accreditation has been given to Panshanger Park due to its thriving dragonfly population as well as it being habitat that can help to be managed by volunteering efforts and within a site that is easily accessible for people to visit to see the dragonflies.
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There are 19 different species of dragonflies and damselflies that can be seen at Panshanger Park - it is one of the best spots in the county to see them.
They require a mixture of habitats such as wetlands, river and grassland depending on species.
Most importantly however, they require ponds into which they can lay their eggs, as well as for the aquatic nymph stage of their life to be successful.
On your next visit to the park head down from the Thieves Lane car park to the start of the dragonfly trail.
This route has now been extended to continue along the Rifle Butts wildflower meadow with a viewing area over the River Mimram, and then round to Kings and Riverside lake.
A newly surfaced path from the car park will improve accessibility for visitors and new interpretation boards will give you an insight into the amazing lives of the dragonflies and damselflies as you progress along the route.
Walking the trail in warm, sunny and not too breezy weather will give you the best chances of seeing dragonflies and damselflies.
You can share your dragonfly pictures with us using #DragonflyHSPanshanger.
If you’d like to hear more about dragonfly hotspots, and what’s going on with your local wildlife, then come along to the dragonfly hotspot event on Saturday, July 29.
This will run from 11am to 4pm near Thieves Lane car park and will include free family activities, wildlife stands and guided walks.
The Panshanger Park dragonfly free quiz trail will also be launched at this event.
Quiz sheets will then be available throughout the summer in the car park until September 10.
There are also guided walks around the new dragonfly trail on Saturday, August 19, and Saturday, September 16.
For more information on these events please visit https://panshangerpark.tarmac.com/events.
- Panshanger Park is 1,000 acres of countryside situated between Welwyn Garden City and Hertford. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is working with the park's owners, Tarmac, to manage the park for both people and wildlife.
- Jo Whitaker is the Panshanger Park People and Wildlife Officer. She works for Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and her role is funded by Tarmac.
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