Wasing Wood Ponds
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SU578635 | — | Favourable | 6.75 | 2020-10-05 |
| SU582632 | — | Favourable | 6.79 | 2020-10-05 |
Description
Area, 12.52 hectares 30.94 ac Description A group of ponds, wet ditches and marshy areas partly in Wasing Wood and partly on open ground formerly excavated for gravel. The ponds vary in depth, substrate, water chemistry, shade and marginal vegetation and provide an important range of habitats for aquatic insects. They are especially important for dragonflies, Odonata, of which some 21 species have been recorded breeding in or adjacent to the site. This is more than half the total British dragonfly fauna. Some of the species are very uncommon, being confined to a scatter of sites in southern England. They include the downy emerald Cordulia aenea, brilliant emerald Somatochlora metallica and ruddy darter Sympetrum sanguineum. A large area of woodland present nearby is important as a feeding area for dragonflies.
Species mentioned
Show the 3 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| downy emerald dragonfly | Cordulia aenea | LC | dragonfly | cordulidae |
| brilliant emerald | Somatochlora metallica | VU | dragonfly | cordulidae |
| ruddy darter | Sympetrum sanguineum | LC | dragonfly | libellulidae |