Over time we hope to build up a database of all the species that
live at Plas Farm. If you spot anything during your stay at the
farm, please let us know!
Dragonflies
in Wales
Our holiday cottages are ideal for dragonfly enthusiasts
as there are many excellent sites within easy reach in South Wales
such as Kenfig
Nature Reserve. In the summer, it is an amazing sight to see the
mamny different species of dragonfly hunting over the pond in the
afternoon. Kenfig Nature Reserve is a twenty minute drive from cottages.
Did you know that the Welsh word for Dragonfly is Gwas Y Neidr which
means 'The Snake's Servant'?
Dragonflies at Plas
Farm
HOME OF SWANSEA VALLEY HOLIDAY COTTAGES
In 2006, we started recording any dragonflies
spotted at Plas Farm. To date we have spotted and identified two
species - the Golden Ringed Dragonfly (above) and the Common Hawker
(below).
We are very keen to find more and if you think you know a thing or
two about dragonflies, then come on holiday to Wales and help us find
them!
1. Golden Ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii The Golden Ringed Dragonfly restlessly patrols the skies
above thistle patches in some of the fields at Plas Farm, attacking
any unfortunate insects that fall within its sights. It is easy to
spot being Britain's largest dragonfly - its black and yellow warning
bands help to deter birds and up close, its prominent eyes and fearsome
mouthparts are a sight to behold. This insect is found principally
on the western side of Britain and it is absent from much of England.
2. Common Hawker Aeshna juncea This dragonfly is widespread and locally common throughout
Wales and the UK. It flies from mid June to October and the best place
to spot one during your cottage holiday is at the edges of woodland
near boggy ground. The insect in the picture was seen on a hazelnut
tree in the fields that lead from the cottages to the mountain. Common
Hawkers like to breed in small acid pools and are so named as, typically,
they restlessly patrol their territory looking for prey - other insects
which they catch while flying.
Dragonflies are among the most ancient of living creatures. Fossil
records, clearly recognisable as dragonflies, go back to Carboniferous
times which means that they date back almost 300 million years,
predating pterodactyls by 100 million years and birds by some
150 million. It would he tragic if, after surviving such an unimaginable
number of years, it should be our generation that witnesses the
decline of these fascinating and beautiful insects.
The British
Dragonfly Society promotes and encourages the study and conservation
of dragonflies and their natural habitats, especially in the United
Kingdom. In the past 40 years Britain has lost three species of
dragonfly and a third of the remainder are threatened with extinction
in the UK. The BDS works to stop and reverse this trend.
Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages are proud supporters of the British
Dragonfly Society. We are happy to provide a 5% discount on any
holidays to members of the British Dragonfly Society.
Those who enjoy walking whilst on holiday will
be pleased to know that we have our very own Plas Farm Trail, with
accompanying guide book which starts on your holiday cottage doorstep.
