Helping the Pembrokeshire Darwin Science Festival with their latest Damsel and Dragonfly Hunt at Orielton Field Studies Centre, Pembroke, last Thursday, were a group of enthusiastic youngsters from the Bush and Park estates in Pembroke Dock.
The children observed and identified different species of damsel and dragonflies, including the Emperor dragonfly, Common Darter dragonfly, Common Blue damselfly and Blue-tailed damselfly.
In addition to the damsel and dragonfly hunt, the children went pond dipping, collecting a variety of pond life, including newts, Common Darter dragonfly nymphs, water boatmen, great diving beetles, mayfly nymphs and great water snails. These finds were then observed under the microscope in a laboratory at the field centre, before being returned to the pond.
The children attend the 'Yo Yo' family centre in Pembroke Dock. The Barnardos run centre has been working with children and families in the Bush and Park communities for over five years.
"We are particularly pleased about this new opportunity for local children to learn about local wildlife and ecology, and believe it is very important for them to learn about their environment and to have the opportunity to visit sites like Orielton," said Mike Allman, community development officer at the 'Yo Yo' centre.
Also keen to work with community groups are Robin and Ann Crump who run the field studies centre at Orielton. They have been supportive of the conservation work being done by the Science Festival, allowing the centre to be used for a number of events.
The Pembrokeshire Darwin Science Festival aims to encourage the community to learn more about how to observe, identify and protect damsel and dragonflies. Suitable habitats for these beautiful insects are declining and the Science Festival hopes that this project, which is being supported by Barclays Plc., will raise awareness of the threat to these organisms.
This work by the festival is ongoing with more hunts being arranged for next year.