Monthly News Recap - June 2025:
In the heart of Suffolk, England, the picturesque Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve is buzzing with excitement as it plays host to a unique and captivating visitor - the migrant emperor dragonfly. The 30 Days Wild campaign, an initiative encouraging people to connect with nature, has our teams at Foxburrow and Lackford Nature Reserves joining in the celebration.
Over the past few weeks, more than ten of these striking dragonflies have been spotted at Carlton Marshes, a testament to the reserve's rich biodiversity. These dragonflies, originating from arid areas in North Africa, have travelled thousands of kilometres, taking advantage of favourable winds, primarily southerly ones from the Sahara, to reach their destination.
The migrant emperor dragonflies have a fascinating lifecycle. They start life as aquatic larvae, known as nymphs, which live underwater for several months or even years. These larvae are gilled predators, feeding on a variety of aquatic insects, mosquito larvae, tadpoles, and small fish. After maturing, they emerge from the water and molt into adults, becoming aerial hunters that primarily feed on flying insects, including mosquitoes. Reproduction occurs in northern wetlands after migration, and the next generation could emerge in September/October.
Interestingly, unlike our native emperors, the male dragonflies clutch the back of the head of the female during egg laying. This behaviour is a part of their multigenerational migration strategy, which allows the species to exploit seasonal habitats far apart.
The presence of these dragonflies at Carlton Marshes has attracted the attention of researchers. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is currently involved in a cuckoo tracking project at Worlingham Marshes, and three Japanese researchers from the Wild Bird Society of Japan recently visited Carlton Marshes for marsh harrier conservation. The researchers aim to set up an area in northern Japan to encourage the breeding of the eastern marsh harrier, a rare and declining species in Japan.
Meanwhile, the Mission 2030 campaign, launched to raise £1,000,000 over the next three years for conservation work in Suffolk, has reached 6% of its target with donations and shared support. A special event was held at Carlton Marshes, where guests attended a boat trip along the River Waveney, viewing three nature reserves.
Despite their annual visit, these dragonflies do not appear every year at Carlton Marshes, making each sighting a cherished event for nature enthusiasts and conservationists alike. The arrival of the migrant emperor dragonflies serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of our world and the importance of preserving these precious ecosystems for future generations.
[1] Sources: British Dragonfly Society, DragonflyWoman.com, and The Guardian.
- The unique migrant emperor dragonflies, traveling from arid areas in North Africa, have engaged the community at the Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, showcasing the significance of environmental-science and the importance of community engagement in promoting learning about migration patterns.
- The captivating visit of the migrant emperor dragonflies offers an opportunity for education-and-self-development, as students of science can study their lifecycle, which includes amphibious larvae stages, aerial adult stages, and the reproduction process in northern wetlands, contributing to general-news and broader understandings of nature.
- As migrant emperor dragonflies attract researchers from organizations like the British Trust for Ornithology, the presence of these visitors highlights the political implications of conservation efforts and the need for continued financial support, as demonstrated by the Mission 2030 campaign striving to raise funds for conservation work in Suffolk.
- The annual migration of migrant emperor dragonflies serves as a symbol for the interconnectedness of our world, instilling a sense of duty to promote environmental-science and take action towards protecting nature reserves for future generations, ensuring the continued flow of fascinating visitors and learnings.
