Rare Damselfly Sighted on Restored River Ash
The scarce blue-tailed damselfly has been spotted along the River Ash, marking a hopeful sign for the success of a chalk river restoration project.
The River Ash, one of approximately 260 chalk rivers globally, is showing signs of ecological recovery with the sighting of a rare damselfly. The Herts and Middlesex Trust, which spearheaded the restoration project, has expressed delight that new wetlands are aiding species proliferation.
The restoration efforts included the creation of new gravel beds, which have already facilitated brown trout spawning. Monitoring conducted before and after the restoration revealed a notable increase in river invertebrates, such as mayflies and stoneflies.
Sarah Perry, rivers recovery manager at the trust, highlighted the broader benefits of revitalized natural waterways. "Natural rivers, connected floodplains and healthy wetlands support biodiversity by providing places for wildlife to feed and breed," she stated. "They also help water move through the landscape and can contribute to resilience against both flooding and drought."
The presence of the scarce blue-tailed damselfly along the River Ash is viewed as a promising indicator of the positive outcomes achievable through dedicated conservation efforts.
