Mid-summer update

As we approach the end of June most of the dragonfly and damselfly species that are known to be breeding in Hertfordshire have now been reported during 2018, although we may have to wait a bit longer for the first records of late summer/autumn species such as Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) and Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis).

Sighting of some of the earliest flying species, in particular Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) but also chasers like the Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) shown below, will now start to tail off, but many of the more obvious species such as Brown & Southern Hawkers (Aeshna grandis & A. cyanea) and Ruddy & Common Darters (Sympetrum sanguineum & S. striolatum) will become more numerous during July and August.

Exciting news this year is that the Green-eyed Hawkers (Anaciaeshna isoceles - also known as Norfolk Hawkers - but that name doesn't seem appropriate any more) that arrived at Amwell four years ago seem to be expanding their Hertfordshire distribution and have so far been reported from three additional Hertfordshire sites, all close to Amwell.

Beautiful Demoiselles, which established a population just outside Hertfordshire a few years ago, on the Turkey Brook at Forty Hall, Middlesex, also seem to be spreading into Hertfordshire, with two reports of what were presumably wandering individuals in the east of the county and reports from Cuffley Brook in the south-east (not too far from Forty Hall). If anyone wants to see this species locally it is best looked for at Forty Hall with the bridge over Turkey Brook at TQ342987 being a good spot. To see them in Hertfordshire the points where public footpaths cross Cuffley Brook at TL315009 and TL310015 seem to provide the best opportunity, but they are at very low density along the brook. More on the Beautiful Demoiselles and Green-eyed Hawkers will follow in the next few days.

Please submit records of any dragonflies and damselflies that you see, including common species, using the record submission form on the HNHS website (http://www.hnhs.org/submit/dragonflies-and-damselflies), via iRecord, or by email to the following email address: dragonflies@hnhs.org  

 

New 'Hertfordshire Dragonflies and Damselflies Facebook group

I have set up a Facebook group that anyone with an interest in the dragonflies and damselflies of Hertfordshire, who uses Facebook, may like to join to share sightings and photos.

A link to the group can be found here: Herts dragonflies Facebook group   

 

The Hertfordshire Naturalist 2026 – contributions sought

Stuart Warrington, editor of the Hertfordshire Naturalist, is looking for for contributions to the 2026 edition.
These can be articles or observations or photos about the wildlife, habitats or geology of the county. We are happy to look at a range of content and styles, so please do consider making a contribution to our long-running journal. 

North Hertfordshire exhibition extended by two weeks!

We are pleased to announce that the popular HNHS exhibition 'Wildlife - for the Record' will continue for an extra fortnight at North Hertfordshire Museum, Hitchin. The final day will now be Sunday 1 March.

The exhibition is the concluding event in celebrations to mark the Society's 150th anniversary. It features species and habitats that are special to the north of the county, and wildlife exhibits from the museum's store that are not normally on display.

Discovering Hertfordshire's 22 species of wild orchid

Orchids are one of the most glamorous and diverse plant groups on earth, with 28,000 species worldwide. However, only 51 are known in Britain and Ireland – and just 22 grow in Hertfordshire, according Co-county Flora Recorder, Ian Denholm.

Giving the 2026 Gerald Salisbury Memorial Lecture on 22 January he provided an overview of all the county's extant species and seven others that have disappeared in the past 60 years. These ranged from those like Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) that is thriving in a warming climate to the exceptionally rare Military Orchid (Orchis militaris) that flowered on a Herts. gravel extraction site for two years before being destroyed in 2020.

A video of Prof. Denholm's lecture, written with fellow orchid expert Prof Richard Bateman, can be viewed on the HNHS YouTube site.