Volunteer Day at Hotspot Morton Lochs – 28th October, 10am – 3pm.
Join BDS and NatureScot to help improve the dragonfly ponds at wonderful Dragonfly Hotspot, Morton Lochs, near Tayport in Fife. Meet at 10am in the Morton Lochs car park at What3Words ref https://what3words.com/processes.booms.carry
Wear wellies (or waders if you have them), as well as waterproofs and warm clothes. Bring your lunch and a drink though tea/ coffee and biscuits will be provided.
Please book by emailing site manager Marijke on marijke.leith@nature.scot so we know how many tools & biscuits to bring.
We look forward to seeing you there!
An illustrated talk with Kate Hawkins, introducing the dragonflies and damselflies of the Isle of Man, with tips on their ecology, behaviour and identification.
The event is free with no need to book, however donations are welcome.
There will also be some light refreshments.
Image by Dave Smallshire
NBN Trust, publishers of BDS Recording Scheme data on NBN Atlas, is holding its annual conference on Thursday, 20 Nov 2025 aboard SS Great Britain at Bristol.
Please refer to the event link for more info, including the conference programme and booking details.
Speakers range from those running schemes & projects that provide data (including eDNA) to the Atlas, through UK data users, to aggregators of global data for whom NBN Atlas is one resource among many.
Records Officer, David Hepper, will be there to represent BDS.
Come and join us for this year’s annual Insect Show, hosted by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Entomological Society (DaNES).
Delve into the wonderful world of insects and their relatives through interactive displays, mounted specimens and live exhibits. A variety of local and national organisations will have stands and fascinating talks will be held throughout the day, with something to interest all ages.
The show will take place in the Bramley Building, which is part of NTU’s Brackenhurst Campus. It is easy to find, located next to the A612 just south of Southwell. The Nottingham-Southwell bus stops outside, and for those coming by car there will be ample space for parking. There is also a lift by the entrance to the show and wheelchair access.
So … with plenty to see and do, the Orangery café for refreshments, and Brackenhurst’s idyllic rural grounds to explore for some late-season insect life … why not come along and make a day of it!
Join Canvey Wick Community Warden, Katie, for a special summer Walk the Wick event: Dragonfly Safari!
A social walk to connect with nature. All welcome!
Meet for refreshments and a chat from 10am at Morrison’s Community Room.
Joint meeting with Cleveland Field Naturalists. A series of three ponds on a private farm within the Howardian Hills Natural Landscapes. The farm is managed in an environmentally sensitive way. To date 18 species have been recorded.
Leader – Keith Gittens
Meet 10.30 am at the farm on Mowthorpe Lane in Terrington.Birkdale Farm, Mowthorpe Lane, Terrington What3Words – blotting.firms.turkeys
Image: Blue-tailed Damselfly by Dave Smallshire
A chance for members of the BDS Youth Panel to meet up, catch up and develop their skills in dragonfly identification and recording.
Image by Adrian Snood.
Our London BDS Dragonfly Hotspot is hosting a dragonfly extravaganza including an insect circus, myths, crafts and more.
A series of BDS-led dragonfly walks to learn more about dragonfly biology and identification will take place at:
- 12 and 2pm on Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th and Monday 25th
Walks will last approximately 30-40 minutes each.
The walks are free, but there is an admission cost to the London Wetland Centre.
More information on the full event line up is available on the WWT event webpage.
Image by WWT
All our members are invited to participate in our annual AGM to hear the Trustees’ annual report of the charity’s performance, finances, and activities, and to elect new Trustees.
The AGM will be followed by a talk on the Dragonflies on Bog BDS project by Emma Stevens-Veitch (Project Officer).
Register here.
New Trustee for Appointment
Maria Giulia Checchi as Secretary
Maria Giulia is an active member of the BDS Youth Panel. She has been fascinated by wildlife ever since she can remember and came to the UK to study for a degree in Animal Behaviour. During her time in Cornwall and Scotland, she focused on improving her ID skills and understanding of UK species, which was how she first became interested in the world of dragonflies. She is now taking steps to pursue a career in conservation, with a main focus on species restoration. She looks forward to contributing to the Society through the role of Secretary and as a continuing Youth Panel member. Her favourite Odonata is the Golden-ringed Dragonfly.
Minutes for Approval
Join us online for a day of talks and discussion on Dragonflies in Britain.
This year’s Annual Meeting will be taking place online to increase access and minimise cost.
This event is free, but donations are welcome to help cover running costs.
Register here today
Please revisit this page for updates.
Programme
10:30 Introduction and announcements
10:45 Edwin Peeters, PhD (Associate Professor, Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University) ~ The relationship of dragonflies and damselflies with the aquatic environment is different for adult and larval stages.
11:15 Laura Weldon, PhD (Founder, The eDNA Consultancy) ~ Applications of eDNA as a wildlife monitoring tool.
11:45 Break
12:00 South West Peatland Partnership ~ Restoring peatlands across Cornwall, Dartmoor and Exmoor.
12:30 Q&A with morning speakers
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Hannah Boyes (WWT Senior Visitor Marketing Manager) and Lukus Robbins (WWT Creative Content Producer) ~ The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s Dragonfly Festival, a summer celebration of dragonflies.
14:30 Kerry Dodd (Conservation Officer, Buglife) ~ Guardians of our Rivers: Next Steps. Connecting communities across Scotland with their local rivers and the invertebrates that call these places home.
15:00 Break
15:15 Kat Mayer (Education and Engagement Officer) ~ Tarras Valley Nature Reserve; a community-led rewilding project.
15:45 Q&A with afternoon speaker
16:15 Close
Promotional materials
