British Dragonfly Society

The British Dragonfly Society is a United Kingdom conservation organisation focused on dragonflies and damselflies, collectively known as Odonata. Established in 1983, the Society promotes the study, recording, conservation, and appreciation of these insects and the natural habitats on which they depend, with particular emphasis on Britain and the wider United Kingdom. Its work combines public engagement, volunteer-based biological recording, scientific analysis, habitat conservation, and research support. A central part of the Society's work is the Dragonfly Recording Network, which gathers observations of dragonflies and damselflies from across the UK. These records help build an evidence base for understanding species distributions, population trends, range changes, seasonal activity, and the condition of aquatic and wetland environments. The recording network also gives naturalists and members of the public a practical way to contribute to conservation science. The Society supports identification and field-learning activities that make Odonata recording accessible to both experienced specialists and newcomers. The organisation also promotes research and conservation projects concerning dragonfly and damselfly populations and their habitats. These activities reflect the close relationship between Odonata and freshwater ecosystems: ponds, rivers, canals, fens, marshes, bogs, and other wetlands provide breeding and feeding environments, while changes in land management, water quality, climate, and habitat availability can affect species distributions. Through its projects and communications, the Society encourages habitat protection and better-informed environmental management. In 2021, the Society published the State of Dragonflies in Britain and Ireland report. The report analysed more than five decades of recording data, representing approximately 1.4 million records. Its findings indicated that many dragonfly species were increasing in abundance or distribution, while other species had experienced contractions in range. It also identified six dragonfly species as newly established in the region. The report illustrated both the value of long-term volunteer recording and the uneven effects of environmental change across species. In 2024, the Society designated Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve near Ely in Cambridgeshire as a national dragonfly hotspot. The designation highlights the reserve's importance for Odonata and reflects the Society's broader role in identifying and communicating the conservation value of important dragonfly sites. The British Dragonfly Society operates as a registered charity rather than a commercial consumer brand. Its public identity is associated with specialist expertise, citizen science, nature conservation, education, and the enjoyment of wildlife. As of 2024, Tim Coleshaw was chair of the Society's trustees. The organisation's principal public-facing offerings are its recording network, conservation and research programmes, publications, and educational resources rather than physical products.

The British Dragonfly Society was established in 1983 as a UK organisation devoted to dragonflies, damselflies, and the habitats that support them. From its formation, the Society's purpose has been both scientific and practical: it encourages the study of Odonata, promotes public understanding, and supports conservation of the insects and their natural environments. Its emphasis is primarily on the United Kingdom, where dragonflies and damselflies are closely associated with freshwater habitats such as ponds, rivers, fens, marshes, canals, and bogs. The Society's conservation model relies heavily on recording and collaboration. Through the Dragonfly Recording Network, observers submit records that contribute to a national evidence base. Long-running biological recording allows researchers and conservation organisations to compare species distributions and abundance over time, identify important sites, detect changes in range, and improve understanding of environmental pressures. The network also broadens participation in conservation by enabling volunteers and members of the public to contribute observations rather than limiting data collection to professional researchers. Alongside recording, the Society promotes research and conservation projects. Its activities support the recognition of important dragonfly habitats and encourage management approaches that protect freshwater ecosystems. Education and communication are also important elements of its work, helping people identify species, understand their ecological significance, and take part in monitoring and conservation. A major evidence-based milestone came in 2021, when the Society released State of Dragonflies in Britain and Ireland. The report drew on more than five decades of records, totalling approximately 1.4 million observations. Its conclusions presented a mixed picture: many species were increasing, but some had suffered reductions in their geographical ranges. The report also recorded six dragonfly species that had become established more recently in Britain and Ireland. These findings demonstrated the value of sustained recording while showing that overall gains for some species do not eliminate conservation concerns for others. In 2024, the Society named Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, close to Ely in Cambridgeshire, a national dragonfly hotspot. The designation brought public attention to the reserve's significance for Odonata and continued the Society's practice of linking species knowledge with the protection and recognition of valuable habitats. The British Dragonfly Society is a registered charity in the United Kingdom, with charity number 800196. It is not described as a commercial manufacturer or retailer; its brand represents a mission-led organisation whose principal activities are conservation, research support, biological recording, education, and public engagement. As of 2024, Tim Coleshaw served as chair of trustees. Further details about the Society's staff structure, offices, founding individuals, finances, and subsequent leadership changes are not established by the supplied reference material.

• 2024

  Wicken Fen designated a national dragonfly hotspot

  [1]British Dragonfly Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire was identified by the Society as a national dragonfly hotspot.

• 2021

  State of Dragonflies in Britain and Ireland report released

  [1]British Dragonfly Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The Society published an assessment using more than 50 years of recording data and approximately 1.4 million records, reporting both population gains and range reductions among different species.

• 1983

  British Dragonfly Society founded

  [1]British Dragonfly Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The Society was established to promote the study and conservation of dragonflies, damselflies, and their natural habitats, particularly in the United Kingdom.

A specialist conservation charity that connects scientific recording, public participation, habitat protection, and education around the UK's dragonflies and damselflies.

• Biological recording network

  Dragonfly Recording Network

  The Dragonfly Recording Network collects Odonata observations from across the United Kingdom. Its accumulated records support distribution mapping, population assessment, research, conservation planning, and public participation in wildlife monitoring. The network is a service and programme rather than a commercial product.

• Conservation report · 2021

  State of Dragonflies in Britain and Ireland

  This 2021 report analysed more than five decades of dragonfly and damselfly records, representing approximately 1.4 million observations. It assessed broad population and range patterns, identified contrasting outcomes among species, and documented six newly established dragonfly species in Britain and Ireland.

• Conservation programme

  Dragonfly and damselfly conservation projects

  The Society promotes research and conservation projects aimed at improving knowledge of Odonata and protecting the natural habitats on which they depend. These activities form part of its wider mission to connect species study, habitat management, environmental evidence, and public engagement.

• 2024

  Designation of Wicken Fen as a national dragonfly hotspotStrategy

  Background

  Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve near Ely in Cambridgeshire was identified as an important site for dragonflies and damselflies.

  Action taken

  The Society named the reserve a national dragonfly hotspot, drawing attention to its importance for Odonata conservation and public awareness.

  Aftermath

  The designation reinforced the Society's role in identifying and communicating the conservation value of significant dragonfly habitats.

  Source

• 2024

  Wicken Fen named a national dragonfly hotspot[1]British Dragonfly Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The British Dragonfly Society identified Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve near Ely in Cambridgeshire as a national dragonfly hotspot.

• 2021

  British Dragonfly Society publishes State of Dragonflies in Britain and Ireland report[1]British Dragonfly Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Society released a report based on more than 50 years of recording data and approximately 1.4 million records. It reported increases for many species, range reductions for some others, and six newly established dragonfly species.

1. 1British Dragonfly Societyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2British Dragonfly Society official websitebritish-dragonflies.org.uk