Two damselfly species return to restored woodland
Two damselfly species, the Beautiful Demoiselle and Willow Emerald, have been recorded for the first time at Astonbury Wood near Stevenage. Their arrival follows habitat restoration across seven Hertfordshire nature reserves, showing how woodland management can help wildlife return.
A three-year project received a £162,698 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant. Work included bringing an area of ancient woodland back into coppice management and restoring open glades by clearing trees and bramble, then cutting and raking them each year. The trust also reported many more Silver-washed Fritillaries in summer 2026 and plans further coppicing; it hopes to restore ponds at Astonbury Wood as hotter, drier summers risk them drying out.
- Two damselfly species were newly recorded at Astonbury Wood.
- Restoration work covered seven nature reserves.
- The trust hopes to restore ponds threatened by dry summers.