Project Updates
The Hidden Jewels of Lough Erne
Reed beetles are beautiful, brightly metallic species associated with waterside habitats. Northern Ireland is a stronghold for several rare and threatened species of reed beetle including the Zircon (Donacia aquatica) and Two-toned (Donacia bicolora) reed beetles, with Upper Lough Erne being a vital area for both of these species. Reed beetles are often sensitive to changes in water and habitat quality and are therefore good indicator species. Unfortunately this also makes them particularly vulnerable, with several having greatly declined and being threatened with extinction. For example, the Zircon reed beetle has been lost from over 81% of its UK range.
Buglife are working in partnership with the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, the National Trust and others to complete a pilot study of Lough Erne’s Zircon and Two-toned reed beetles, undertaking essential survey work to gather population and distribution data and develop local species recovery plans.
Lough Erne Landscape Partnership Programme Manager, Elmarie Swanepoel stated; “ We are delighted to be able to support Buglife through the LELP Community Engagement and Farming Fund supported by National Lottery Hertitage Fund, to carry out this important project.
The landscape of Lough Erne has a rich and unique biodiversity with a diverse range of species found within this special habitat, we look forward to working with Buglife and explore the Reed Beetle species within this magnificent landscape.”
Buglife will work with interested parties, organisations, landowners and volunteers; any organisation or individual who wishes to be involved is invited to contact Anna Hart on Anna.hart@buglife.org.uk. It is hoped that by having local people champion these animals we can make a real difference in their community.
Anna Hart, Conservation Officer for Buglife Northern Ireland has said “By discovering where exactly our most threatened species are found we can focus our conservation efforts to reverse declines and prevent them from being lost from the landscape”
There is a need for more species records to monitor trends in population and distribution. We hope to encourage people with a passion for wildlife to look for this species. You can help us to monitor reed beetles by taking part in our citizen science survey to find the Zircon Reed Beetle in Northern Ireland.
Our thanks to the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP) and the National Lottery Heritage Fund who funded this project.
Anna Hart from Buglife delivered as part of the Lough Erne Schools Convention in 2021. During five days in late September and early October 2021 the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership hosted the second ever Lough Erne Schools Convention at the Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea.
Previously held in 2019, the Lough Erne Schools Convention was a one-day event, however this year, due to Covid19 restrictions, groups of enthusiastic Key Stage 2 pupils from local primary schools have been welcomed over a series of five days. Each day, pupils from P5 to P7 got to experience Upper Lough Erne from their canoes with the Share Discovery Village and learn about its inhabitants and environments. The following workshops were delivered as part of the convention:
- Volcanoes and Earthquakes with Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark (delivered by successful participants from Project 10: Heritage Champions.)
- Pond dipping and what lives in the lake with Waterways Ireland
- Seeds to trees and their lifecycles with RSPB NI
- Mini beasts and bugs with Buglife
- Bulb planting and biodiversity with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Biodiversity Team
In total thirteen different schools attended bringing over 500 pupils to the Convention, and despite a couple of rain showers all teachers, pupils and providers enjoyed the activities provided. This project has received part funding from the DAERA Challenge Fund.
On Wednesday 9th June 2021, the LELP Environmental Education Officer was joined by Anna Hart from Buglife and a group of enthusiastic Year 10 pupils and staff from St. Kevin’s College in Lisnaskea, at Crom Estate, to search for elusive reed beetles.
Although the weather was a little windy and overcast for searching for the beetles, Anna carefully explained searching techniques, how to use the equipment and where reed beetles are commonly found and their preferred habitat. The pupils and staff from St. Kevin’s got stuck in immediately and it wasn’t long before a great selection of insects, moths, damson flies, beetles, spiders and snails had been collected from the rich shoreline at Crom. Furthermore, the pupils managed to find TWO different types of reed beetles! A very successful and fun morning for all involved.
Many thanks to Crom Estate and the National Trust staff team for facilitating our visit, Ms Rogers and the pupils from St. Kevin’s College, LELP and Heritage Lottery Fund NI. This also ties in with LELP Project 15: Young Amateur Naturalists.
Anna Harte from Buglife conducted a number of days in the field documenting habitat sites and searching for Reed Beetle habitats as part of this project.
Check out the pictures below.
Anna Hart from Buglife delivered at the Lough Erne Schools Convention in September 2019.
356 local children from 15 schools, mainly in Primary 6, had the opportunity to spend half of the day out canoeing on the lough with Share Discovery Village and Erne Paddlers and the other half of the day was spent attending nature based educational workshops with specialist organisations including: the RSPB, Fermanagh Beekeepers Association, Waterways Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Bug Life, Source to Tap, Marble Arch Global Geopark and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
Reed beetles, the “jewels amongst the reeds” (Nelson, B., 2007) are brightly metallic species associated with waterside habitats, being found on reeds and other emergent marginal vegetation. Northern Ireland is a stronghold for several rare and threatened species of reed beetle in particular the Zircon reed beetle (Donacia aquatica) and Two-tone reed beetle (Donacia bicolora), with Upper Lough Erne being a vital site for these species. Both of these beetles are UK and Northern Ireland Priority Species for conservation action. The Northern Ireland population of Two-tone reed beetle is seen as the stronghold of both the Irish and UK populations. The Zircon reed beetle has greatly declined, having been lost from over 81% of its UK range.
Buglife will work in partnership with other organisations to complete a pilot study of Lough Erne’s reed beetles, undertaking essential survey work to gather population and distribution data and develop a local species recovery plan for the Zircon and Two-tone reed beetles. This pilot project will run throughout the summer of 2021.
This exciting species focused project will help raise awareness of these rare beetles and the need for conservation action through surveys, training and workshops. We also hope to encourage people with a passion for wildlife to take part in our citizen science survey and look for the Zircon reed beetle. It is hoped that by having local people champion these species we can make a real difference in their community. One of the recommended conservation actions is to create new wetland pond complexes within the historic distribution of the beetles. We will identify opportunities to create new pond habitat to boost the populations of the Zircon and Two- toned reed beetles.
Buglife will work with interested parties, organisations, landowners and volunteers; any organisation or individual who wishes to be involved is invited to contact Anna Hart on Anna.hart@buglife.org.uk.
Help us find the Zircon Reed Beetle in Northern Ireland. Further information can be found here.
Our thanks to the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP) and the National Lottery Heritage Fund who funded this project.