Mike Averill, the Dragonfly Recorder for Worcestershire, spoke about the new national atlas for dragonflies at the October meeting at Stourport Boat Club.

The atlas is to be published next year and includes the changes in the distribution of dragonflies nationally with particular reference to Worcestershire and Hartlebury Common.

The group learned that Worcestershire now has 28 different species, of which 20 regularly breed in the county, with a number of new species colonising in recent years mainly in response to global warming.

One of these, the Scarce Chaser has been found on Hillditch Pool (part of Hartlebury Common) for the past two years. Some 23 species of dragonfly have been recorded in total for Hartlebury Common making it one of the most important county sites.

A concern was the fall in the water table which meant that some important habitats were becoming too dry.

Mike urged members to look out for dragonflies on their walks over the Common and to send in any records (see http://dragonfliesofworcestershire.

weebly.com). He was particularly keen to monitor the population of Scarce Chasers and appealed for a volunteer to assist.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, November 9 when Dr Ann Hill, County Recorder for Worcestershire, will give a mosses morning on Hartlebury Common.

Meet at 10am at the goal post car park on the Worcester Road, Stourport (between Sandy Lane Industrial Estate and Cook’s Garden Centre on the opposite side of the road). It is free and all are welcome.

Please contact Dr Joy M Rooney on 01299 877275 for further information or go to hartleburycommon.org.uk