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| Sefton Coast Partnership | Shoreline Management | Nature and Wildlife | Coastal Heritage | Visiting the Coast | Students and Teachers | Coastlines | |
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Winter 1997Insects abound on the Sefton CoastArticle by Philip H SmithWith declining species so often hitting the headlines, its good to be able to report that several attractive dragonflies and butterflies are doing well on the Sefton Coast. Though the droughts of the last two years have probably affected their breeding success, two damselflies, the Emerald (Lestes sponsa) and the Azure (Coenagrian puella) have greatly extended their range in the dunes since 1990. Another success story is our largest dragonfly, the Emperor (Anax imperator). First seen here in 1976, a small breeding colony seemed to have died out by the beginning of this decade. However, the wonderful summer of 1995 brought many sightings of this spectacular insect, including females laying eggs in the dune ponds. That year was also good for migrant dragonflies, such as the Yellow-winged Darter (Sympetrum flaveolum), which was recorded in August for the first time on the Sefton Coast during a nationwide influx from the continent. Perhaps most pleasing, however, has been the arrival of the Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum). Found mainly in the south and east of England, a single male was identified on the dunes in 1989. By the mid 1990s, this species was a well established breeder on the Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR with individuals spreading to Birkdale, Formby and other parts of the Northwest. Other potential colonists heading our way are the Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa), the Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) and the Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). These are certainly ones to look out for over the next few years. Butterflies have always been a feature of the dunes and some ore doing particularly well. Before the mid 1980s, the Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) were scare north of the Mersey, but both are now firmly established on the Sefton Coast. The Speckled Wood, in particular, has spread from a small colony at Ravenmeols to occupy all the mixed woodland at the rear of the dunes and can be seen commonly from April to September. The colourful Peacock (Inachis io) and Comma (Polygonia c-album) have also shown a steady increase in range and numbers since the 1980s and now appear in gardens as well as on the dunes. Some butterflies are migrants only common in particular years. Examples include the Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), the former being abundant in 1996 and the latter recorded mainly in 1983 and 1992. The great butterfly success of recent ears in the Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris). In Merseyside until the mid-1980s this species was known only from Wirral sites. Then, in 1996, out of the blue, it was found on Altcar Rifle Range. The last year has seen a rapid spread to suitable rough grassland habitat throughout the dunes. Why have these welcome changes taken place? Sympathetic habitat management along the coast must have played its part. But probably the most important factor is a sequence of warm summers which have allowed some insects to move north beyond their normal range.
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