Take part in Dragonfly Week 2023
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An annual celebration of dragonflies
By Eleanor Colver, Conservation Officer
Dragonfly Week ran from Saturday 1 July to Sunday 9 July. Every year during Dragonfly Week dragonfly-theme events are held across the UK to raise awareness about dragonflies, their wetland, and their conservation. This year was of extra importance as Britain’s National Dragonfly Recording Scheme, coordinated by the BDS, has documented dramatic changes in Britain’s dragonflies, specifically species occupancy (the number of 1km squares a species is recorded in each year), over the past 50 years. Climate change is believed to be a significant factor, with many species increasing their distribution northwards as our climate warms (19 of our 46 resident species/regular migrants showed an increase in occupancy between 1970 and 2021). Increasing summer temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns are also believed to be responsible for the observed occupancy decline in some peatland specialists, such as Black Darter (Sympetrum danae) and Common Hawker (Aeshna juncea). In recent years, drought has had a dramatic impact on the availability of suitable breeding habitats for species such as Azure Hawker (Aeshna caerulea) whose larvae live in shallow bog pools in the Highlands of Scotland.
While the distribution of some species may be increasing this could be masking negative trends in abundance. Long-term trend analysis of abundance is not currently possible for dragonflies due to insufficient data. However, the Bugs Matter Citizen Science survey reported a 63.7% decline in flying insect numbers between 2004 and 2022. As a flying insect, which is also reliant on other flying insects as their main food source, these results are greatly concerning for dragonflies in Britain. In addition, the continued degradation and loss of freshwater habitats, for example, as a result of pollution and over-abstraction, is of great concern for dragonflies, many species of which, spend years in their freshwater aquatic larval form.
During Dragonfly Week the BDS aims to raise awareness about the threats facing dragonflies and their wetland homes and promote public involvement in their conservation through activities such as wildlife-friendly gardening, pond building, and volunteering at their local green spaces. We also aim to inspire a greater appreciation for these beautiful animals and encourage the public to get out and explore their local wetland sites by providing family event days with activities such as pond dipping and guided walks. Dragonfly Week is the perfect opportunity for reserve teams and volunteer groups to promote their wetland sites, the dragonflies that live there, and the conservation work being carried out. It is also a great chance to encourage public participation in recording dragonflies to contribute to site databases and the National Recording Scheme database.
If you would like to get involved in Dragonfly Week next year, please visit the Dragonfly Week webpage on the BDS website for ideas on how to get involved.
Please let us know of any dragonfly-themed events you may be hosting as we would love to promote them on our website and e-newsletter. If you would like to receive our free monthly e-newsletter please sign up via our website
As always do tag us in to any relevant posts on social media with #DragonflyWeek
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