UK Nature and Environment

A former intensive dairy farm near Crewkerne has been transformed into a dragonfly haven, thanks to two decades of conservation efforts. Rob and Alex Appleby, the current owners of Wyke Farm near South Perrot, have implemented various conservation measures since purchasing the property in 2000, turning a once sterile intensive dairy farm into a thriving wildlife habitat.

These measures include creating new water bodies, woodland blocks and wildflower meadows, restoring hedgerows, reintroducing native breed livestock and significantly reducing chemical inputs, all while maintaining a profitable farming business. Over 3,000 wildlife species have now been recorded at Wyke Farm, but until recently, little was known about the dragonflies present, mainly because much of the wetland habitat is recent in origin.

Dragonflies, which have existed for over 300 million years, are recognised as biodiversity indicators of healthy wetland environments due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. Therefore, information on their status is crucial in measuring the success of wetland conservation projects.