Willow Emerald Watch 2023 update
The BDS has been tracking the range expansion of Willow Emerald Damselfly since it colonised England in 2009. Learn more on the Willow Emerald Watch Project page. Project lead, Adrian…
BDS joins The Pesticide Collaboration
The area of land treated by pesticides has increased by 63% since 1990 and the evidence of the harm caused by pesticides to human health and the natural world is…
Triangle of Confusion by John Curd
My title stems from two documented concepts. In photography, the circle of confusion is used to determine the depth of field, that part of an image which is acceptably sharp.…
Membership News 2024
A Note from the Membership Office As we look forward to the new dragonfly season, it is also the time of year for your membership renewal of the BDS. BDS…
Study finds pollution from flea treatment in the New Forest pools
A study has found that a the common insecticide used in ‘spot-on’ flea treatments, imidacloprid, was detected at four waterbody locations where dogs have access. At one site the levels…
Norfolk Hawker makes headlines
The Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isoceles) made headlines this week; the species has undergone impressive range expansion since 1990 – good news for a species which was categorised as Endangered in…
Volunteers needed in Shropshire Hills
If you live near the Shropshire Hills join the Stepping Stones Project volunteer team! We need volunteers to assist in locating dragonfly habitat, monitoring local populations, and assisting in habitat…
A study on pond management for Northern Damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum)
Stephen Corcoran, County Dragonfly Recorder for Moray, carried out a surveys of ponds that have been created and managed for Northern Damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum) with the aim of assessing the…
POST review of freshwater habitat restoration in the UK
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) works to ensure that the best research evidence is brought to bear on the legislative process of Government. POST recently published a…
New free guide to pond restoration, creation and management.
Two thirds of the ponds in England and Wales have been lost; the countryside is littered with dried out farmland ponds, over shaded by tree growth. Many freshwater species are…