We are very lucky to play host to a very scarce species and organise walks in June each year to show people Dainty Damselflies Coenagrion scitulum.
Walks will take place at 11.00am until 1.00pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm on the following dates
Saturday 15th & Wednesday 19th June 2024
Booking essential via Ticket Tailor:
On Saturday 15th June and Wednesday 19th June, the Warden of Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust (SBBOT) will be leading walks to see the Dainty Damselfly colony at Sandwich Bay.
Dainty Damselfly (Dainty Bluet) Coenagrion scitulum is a species rather local throughout its range, occurring in France, northern Iberia, and eastwards to Iran. It is slowly expanding northwards and has colonised Belgium and the Netherlands. In the UK it was present only in Essex during 1946-1952 but then lost due to coastal flooding and thought nationally extinct until rediscovered in 2010 in northern Kent. It was thought to be restricted to four small pools on the Isle of Sheppey with no general access. However, to everyone’s surprise, it was discovered at Sandwich Bay in small numbers in 2019. These were the first sightings from mainland Britain in almost 70 years. Subsequent surveys have revealed a good population with hundreds of individuals seen.
Interest in the discovery has been high since the news was released in 2019. However, as the status of this species in the UK is still precarious there will only be access to the site on these dates. The Warden will lead a series of guided walks to the site and walk-through the identification process of the Dainty Damselfly (and other species present on the day). Each session will last approximately two hours.
All the guided walks in recent years have been extremely successful with a 100% success rate and lots of photographic opportunities. It is expected that tickets will book fast.
Booking essential.
Tickets are £5 per head.
Unfortunately although we are working on improving access to this site, it is currently not accessible to wheelchairs. Apologies for any inconvenience.
This walk will take place on our nature reserves therefore no dogs are allowed.
If you've any further questions please get in touch at info@sbbot.org.uk
The Sandwich Bay area and adjacent Worth Marshes are terrific for Dragonflies in general and Restharrow Scrape is a great place to see them as well as the rivers, streams and ditches throughout our recording area.
See HERE for the latest sightings and HERE for a full annotated species list
Anyone interested in Dragonfly names can find a copy of The Eponym Dictionary of Odonata in the observatory library.
