Events

Explore our schedule of upcoming dragonfly-related events, courses, and field trips.

 

Key

Green: BDS and BDS Local Group field meetings and events.
Blue : Events where the BDS has a presence but is not organising.
Brown: Dragonfly-related events where the BDS is not present.

Information for Event Leaders

Events

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

  • Bugs Matter 2026

    UK wide , United Kingdom
    Meeting Other

    Open to citizen scientists across the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and – new for 2026 – France.

    Free

  • Dragonfly Festival at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

    Meeting Other

    Enjoy a summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities. Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences. Discover these fascinating insects through family-friendly activities, hands-on experiences and outdoor adventures inspired by one of nature’s most incredible species. Visitors can enjoy the Dragonfly Safari trail, pond dipping, giant…

    Free – £10.40

  • Dragonfly Festival at Llanelli Wetland Centre

    Meeting Other

    Enjoy a summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities. Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences. Festival highlights include daily pond dipping, guided Dragonfly Walks, Dragonfly Canoe Safaris and Giant outdoor games, offering visitors plenty of opportunities to get closer to wetlands and wildlife. Families can…

    Free – £10.53

  • Dragonfly Festival at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

    Meeting Other

    Enjoy a summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities. Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences. Festival highlights include the Giant Dragonfly Hunt, pond dipping, self-guided bug hunts and dragonfly-themed outdoor games, alongside hands-on activities in the family craft room where visitors can create their own…

    Free – £19

  • Dragonfly Festival at WWT Welney Wetland Centre

    Meeting Other

    Enjoy a summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities. Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences. Festival highlights include the Journey of the Dragonfly Trail, dragonfly hunts, pond dipping sessions, guided walks and outdoor games designed to help visitors discover the fascinating lives of dragonflies and…

    Free – £6.75

  • Dragonfly Festival at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

    Meeting Other

    Enjoy a summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities. Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences. Festival highlights include Canoe Safaris, pond dipping sessions, exploring the Summer Walkway, Weekend Wild Safaris and outdoor adventures in Welly Boot Land and Riverlife play, complete with water play and…

    Free – £19.90

  • Dragonfly Festival at WWT Washington Wetland Centre

    Meeting Other

    Enjoy a summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities. Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences. Festival highlights include the Dragonfly Safari trail, giant games, water play, den building and adventure play areas and immersive experiences. These include the Sonic Pond audio trail, a vibrating kaleidoscope…

    Free – £12.30

  • Dragonfly Festival at WWT London Wetland Centre

    WWT London Wetland Centre , United Kingdom
    Meeting Other

    Enjoy a summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities. Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences. Festival highlights include Dragonfly Safaris, pond dipping, mini beast hunting, Giant Dragonfly Games and dragonfly chalk art, alongside water play in the popular Splash Pad play area. Families can swoosh,…

    Free – £19

  • Dragonfly Festival at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre

    Meeting Other

    Enjoy a summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities. Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences. Festival highlights include self-led Dragonfly Safaris on foot, GIANT Dragonfly Games in the Wildlife Garden, dragonfly craft activities in the Outlook In building and daily Boat Safaris through Arundel’s beautiful…

    Free – £16.25

  • Wildwood, Cranleigh, Surrey for Odonata and Hairstreak Butterflies

    Wildwood Golf Course Wildwood Lane (near Pound Lea Farm), Alfold, Nr Cranleigh, Surrey, United Kingdom
    Meeting run by BDS

    A joint meeting of BDS Hants, Surrey, Berkshire Group with Butterfly Conservation, Surrey branch, led by Francis Kelly, an expert in both. Wildwood is an abandoned golf course with numerous "water features". 24 species of Odonata have been recorded across 18+ ponds. Also look out for the very rare Brown Hairstreak butterfly.

  • Dragonfly Day at Paxton Pits, Cambridgeshire

    Paxton Pits Dragonfly Hotspot Paxton Pits Nature Reserve High Street, Little Paxton, Huntingdonshire, United Kingdom

    Celebrate dragonflies at Paxton Pits Dragonfly Hotspot! Join the Paxton Pits team on Saturday 15 August for one of two free guided dragonfly walks, led by local experts Ann Miles and Ian Crosby. Choose from a 10:30 am or 2:00 pm walk, each following a different route through this fantastic wetland reserve. Both walks begin…

  • Love Wetlands Day at Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve

    Meeting BDS Present

    A fun filled afternoon of discovery and celebrating nature. Come along to the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve on Friday 21st August for a fun filled afternoon discovering and celebrating the natural world. Take part in themed crafts and activities, learn about habitats and the fascinating creatures living in them, and enjoy some refreshments. Find out…

    Free

  • Strensall Common MTA

    Strensall Common Nature Reserve Common Road, Strensall, York, North Yorkshire
    Meeting run by BDS

    Looking for Common Hawker and Black Darter.

    Free

  • Foley Manor, nr Liphook, Hants

    Foley Manor, Hants Foley Farm, Foley Estate, Liphook, Hampshire, United Kingdom
    Meeting run by BDS

    This country estate within the South Downs National Park, close to the Longmoor army ranges, plans to rewild. We will be doing an initial dragonfly survey, complementing the flora survey by one of our members that started last year. Leader: Bill Wain

  • BDS Annual Meeting 2026

    Whaddonway Church Beaverbrook Court, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
    Meeting run by BDS

    In-person conference.

Advice to attendees
If you have a medical condition that might impact your participation in field meetings or other events, please contact the leader in advance to ask what will be involved on the day and then you can decide whether the event will be suitable for you.

Advertise
If you would like us to help advertise a relevant event please contact our Operations Officer.

Leading an Event?
Information for Event Leaders is available via the link to the right. Please make sure you have the most up-to-date documents.

Title image: Migrant Hawker by Gareth William Tonks