Home / Environment / New Damselflies Emerge in Restored Hertfordshire Woodlands
New Damselflies Emerge in Restored Hertfordshire Woodlands
18 Oct
Summary
- Two damselfly species newly recorded in restored woodlands.
- A £162,698 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant supported the project.
- Habitat restoration led to increased butterfly and damselfly populations.
Two species of damselfly have been recorded for the first time in Hertfordshire woodlands after a significant habitat restoration project concluded. The Beautiful Demoiselle and Willow Emerald damselflies were observed at Astonbury Wood, a key site within the Ancient Astonbury and Wilder Woodlands project.
This three-year initiative, supported by a £162,698 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, encompassed seven nature reserves. Work included coppicing ancient woodlands to allow more light to reach the forest floor, encouraging the growth of flowers and supporting insect populations.
As a result of the restoration efforts, Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies were also recorded in much higher numbers during summer 2026. The Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust highlighted the strong regrowth of hornbeam trees at Astonbury Wood following coppicing in December 2025.
Future plans aim to restore ponds at Astonbury Wood to combat increasing summer dryness. The project's success underscores the positive response of habitats to careful management and the return of wildlife to restored areas.
