Rare dragonfly is sighted in Giant’s Causeway area

National Trust Conservation Officer, Cliff Henry was hard at work pulling ragwort when his eye was drawn to silvery-coloured creature resting on some long blades of grass. He was lucky enough to snap a quick picture before it zipped away.

“I’ve never seen this insect before in my life so I knew it was something rare and perhaps a bit interesting,” explained Dr. Henry.

“I was worried that it wouldn’t sit still long enough for me to get my camera out to take a picture but thankfully it did. I couldn’t wait to get back to the office to research what it might be.”

The same species had been spotted in Northern Ireland last year in South Armagh but this is the farthest North in Ireland the species has been recorded.

Dr Henry said the dragonfly could have been blown off its migration route however, he could not rule out the possibility that the species is spreading.