Guest article – Buglife Cymru
Can you help?
Do you walk along the River Dee, fish in the river, paddle board, kayak, have gardens near the river? If so, you might come across a small, narrow, darkish fly about 2cm long sitting on a dandelion or other flower, or perhaps on a fence post, maybe even on a tree or a bridge. If you do, let Buglife Cymru know!
The Scarce Yellow Sally (Isogenus nubecula) is a Critically Endangered stonefly whose only known UK home is in, and around, the River Dee as it flows through Wrexham Borough. Buglife Cymru, with the support of Chester Zoo and other volunteers, are endeavouring to find out all they can about “Wrexham’s stonefly” this April and May; the months when Scarce Yellow Sally lives out of the water.
Buglife Cymru, Natur am Byth, Scarce Yellow Sally Conservation Officer, Sarah Hawkes shares: “We’re asking Wrexham’s residents to be our eyes on the river. If you spot “Sally”, or an insect you think might be her, take a photograph and send the photo to Buglife via the link below or using the QR code on one of our leaflets. Identification can be quite tricky and a photo looking at the back of the fly like our example, helps us the most.”
Buglife welcome all photos of potential sightings and the more pictures of stoneflies submitted by the public, with information about where they were seen, what they were seen on and what they are doing, the more the conservationists will have to go on for next year’s search.
Sarah concludes: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, in advance, for your help and photographs. If you supply your email address, with you submission, we will provide you with an ID of the creature you have photographed and keep you updated with the progress of the project.”
To take part in the “Search for the Scarce Yellow Sally”, and submit photos of your sightings, please visit the Buglife survey web page, where you can also download a handy guide and instructions to take with you as you explore the River Dee.
