Darcy Lever Gravel Pits Action Group
Species Rich Ponds
Ponds 1c, 1d, 3, 5, 6a ,11 and 12
In total there are some 24 water bodies, on the Darcy Lever Gravel
Pits, what makes these ponds unique to the area and most notable for
is their diversity of Flora and Fauna.
The diversity and surrounding habitat of these ponds, with their
varied size and shape, dense or sparse vegetation. The substrates
also vary with gravel, sand, clay, silt and muddy sediment. All this
has resulted in some of the ponds becoming "Species Rich" where
notable species, such as Black Darter, Ruddy Darter and the Emerald
Damselfly, thrive here.
A total of up to 17 Dragonfly species frequent these particular
[SRP] ponds the, Emperor, Southern, Common, Brown and Migrant
Hawkers, Black [notable], Ruddy [notable] and Common Darters,
Emerald [notable] Common, Blue, Large Red and Azure Damselflies,
Banded Demoiselle [interesting] 4 Spotted and Broad-bodied Chasers.
It should be noted that the remaining ponds have fewer numbers of
species, but are still unique and equally important to the value of
the site.
All images Jeff Gibson (All rights reserved).
Pond 1c
This pond is shallow, holds water all year becoming marsh in late
summer, 9 Dragonfly species observed on the pond notable ones were
Ruddy Darter, Black Darter and the Emerald Damselfly.
Pond 1d
This recreated pond now holds water all year, 10 species of
Dragonfly have been observed on this pond, notable ones are the
Ruddy Darter, Black Darter and the Emerald Damselfly.
Pond 3
A shallow ephemeral pond which dries out in mid/late summer, 12
species of Dragonfly have been observed on this pond notable ones
are Ruddy Darter, Black Darter, Emperor, Emerald Damselfly and the
Banded Demoiselle [interesting].
Pond 3
Pond 5
This recreated pond holds water all year, 10 species of Dragonfly
have been observed on this pond notable ones are Ruddy Darter, Black
Darter, and the Emerald Damselfly.
Pond 5
Pond 6a
A shallow marsh clay pond which holds water all year, 12 species of
Dragonfly have been observed on the pond, notable ones the Ruddy
Darter, Black Darter, Emerald Damsel, Banded Demoiselle
[interesting].
The Hawker Species also favour this pond due to its size and open
aspect.
Pond 11 Education Pond
This is the education pond with a dipping platform installed, 12
Species of Dragonfly have been observed on this pond, all 4 species
of Hawker Dragonflies preferring this pond due to its larger size
and open aspect.
Pond 12
A shallow ephemeral gravel based pond which does not hold water all
year, is home to the greatest population of Ruddy Darter on site. There have been 9 species of Dragonfly observed on this pond.
Biodiversity
Habitat
Fauna
Flora
Amphibians
