New habitat has been created for dragonflies by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and Highland Conservation on Balmacara Estate in Lochalsh

A new wildlife habitat has been created by the National Trust for Scotland and Highland Conservation volunteers in a partnership with Raleigh International.

Several bog pools were dug out at Loch Achaidh na h-Inich on the Balmacara Estate in Lochalsh. The habitat aims to conserve the rare Northern Emerald dragonfly.

This breed of butterfly has been sighted breeding on the estate at the one remaining pool, therefore new pools will provide further breeding grounds for the species’ expansion.

Prior to digging, the conservation charity’s senior natural heritage advisor, Jeff Waddell, surveyed the Collie Mhor Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to determine the best location for the pools.

He said: “Without this work, its habitat would disappear here, as natural processes mean the fen would become covered in trees and too dry for the species to breed, causing it to become extinct at this site.

“This wetland habitat is part of a site of special scientific interest designated as a safe haven for these amazing insects. A huge thanks to NatureScot for permitting this work, British Dragonfly Society for advice and for all the volunteers that support the trust’s vital nature conservation programmes.”

The pools will be monitored for the next few seasons to gauge the results.

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