British Dragonfly Society
Aims of the Society
Founded in 1983 (celebrating 25 years this year), the British Dragonfly Society (BDS) is a Registered Charity, number 800196. Its aim is to encourage and support the study and conservation of dragonflies in the UK and further afield.
Activities
We record sightings of dragonflies all across the UK, via a network of recorders and County Recorders. This year marks our 25th anniversary and the launch of the recording effort for a new National Atlas of Dragonflies. In addition we are also promoting the collection of breeding records, which is important for ascertaining key dragonfly sites.
We also run a single species online survey, which is a great way for people to get started. The target species this year is the Blue-tailed Damselfly* Ischnura elegans. It should be a common species and can live in a wide range of habitats, but records show a decline in recent years. This could be due to a range of factors, including habitat loss, or introduction of non native fish to the larval home, for example. So we need as many people as possible to report sightings, preferably with a photo attached, and basic information about what day they saw it, where they were, and approximately how many they saw. Their flight season will begin towards the end of May, by which time the website will be live, with information on how to identify the Blue-tailed Damselfly. It will be accessible via the BDS website at http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/
Using the all of the data collected by the Dragonfly Recording Network, we:
- assist land managers with habitat management
- assist the Conservation Agencies with designated sites (e.g. SSSI sites) and endangered species (including the Southern Damselfly. This is a protected species, so it cannot be handled without a licence, however it can be observed in the field, and it's stronghold is the New Forest)
- monitor migrant dragonflies, arriving from the European mainland, Scandinavia, and occasionally even America!
- chart the movements of species across the UK (all heading north, some increasing their range, others declining)
We are also consulted on national strategies and policies as well as planning enquiries. We work with partner organisations on other high profile issues, particularly through Invertebrate Link.
We are involved with education at every level through:
- provision of educational materials for teachers and wildlife group organisers
- attendance in schools (we have a particular history of this in Salisbury, where a local member, Margaret Clayton, organises science activity days)
- holding stands at family wildlife events
- giving talks to interested groups
- supporting research into dragonfly ecology by undergraduate, masters and PhD students, as well as senior academics
- provision of training for beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals in all aspects of dragonfly ecology and identification (field skills are becoming more and more valuable as awareness of the importance of biodiversity increases)
*Note: Dragonflies and Damselflies belong to the same taxonomic Order, Odonata, known as dragonflies. There are two sub-orders: Anisoptera ("true" dragonflies) and Zygoptera (damselflies).
Getting Involved
Membership of the society costs only £15 a year. Members receive two editions of Dragonfly News, with news of events, field meetings and popular articles as well as two editions of the BDS Journal, with field observations and the latest scientific progress. New member's also receive a copy of the ‘Dig A Pond For Dragonflies' booklet. There are free field meetings with experienced leaders all over the country, and other training events. There is an annual member's day with talks, presentations, shop goods on sale and a chance to meet up with old friends, and make new acquaintances.
Take part in our online survey (detailed above) - every single dragonfly record is important, and feeds into all of the other work we do.
If you're keen then record the other species too - information on recording and identification is available on our website.
Dig a dragonfly pond in your garden - guidance is available from us and they will provide hours of entertainment (and eat mosquitoes and midges!)
Contact details
Conservation Officer: Katharine Parkes, BDS, c/o Natural England (West Midlands), Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, SY4 5JA
Tel: 01743 282021 or email katharine.parkes@naturalengland.org.uk
Website: http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/
