Introduction
The British Dragonfly Society is actively involved in several research and recording projects and working groups. There are several different projects under way. You will also find a list of possible projects that might be of interest to those intending to study dragonflies and which might provide useful information for conservation.
Use this index for quick access to the reports
 | Suggestions for research and conservation projects - a list of possible projects that might be of interest to those intending to study dragonflies and which might provide useful information for conservation |
| Migrant Dragonfly Project - improving our understanding of the details of, and reasons for, dragonfly migration |
| Key Site Project - The key site project aims to develop an agreed set of national criteria that may be applied to determine key dragonfly and damselfly sites throughout Britain |
| Philip Corbet Award Fund - providing financial support for young people who are engaged in, or wish to establish, a small odonatological research project |
| Norman Moore Award Fund - providing financial support for people over the age of 25 who are engaged in, or wish to establish, a small odonatological research project |
| The Peter Miller Schools Ponds Fund - supporting the creation of wildlife friendly ponds within school grounds or within the immediate area of a school for the sole use of school based groups |
The BDS is occasionally notified of other Dragonfly related research projects that may be of interest. If you have suggestions for links to be added here please use this form. (Note: External research pages will open in a new browser window.)
Suggested research projects
For many British Dragonflies, we do not fully understand several aspects of their ecology and habitat requirements. Investigations that answer some of these questions would help to guide conservation and management of inhabited sites. Members of the BDS have identified possible projects that might be of interest to those intending to study dragonflies and which might provide useful information for conservation. There are also members who would be happy to supervise projects or help anyone wishing to study dragonflies.
Please e-mail bdsconsoff@dragonflysoc.org.uk
A detailed study of the behaviour of Aeshna isosceles in Stratiotes aloides
An examination of activity throughout the year could help to explain how its larvae and the adults use the plant and to illustrate which of its features (large surface area, vertical seasonal movement etc) are most significant.
An Investigation of the larval habitats of Lestes dryas
This would help to determine the special requirements of this species and whether its choice of often slightly saline sites and sites with wooded cover in the British Isles is a means of avoiding competition with other Odonate species.
Survey of the breeding areas of Gomphus vulgatissimus in silts and gravels of the River Thames
This would help to determine which ones are the most important for the species and so require special treatment by the water authorities.
Dragonfly Dispersal
We know little about how damselflies colonise water bodies and studies would help to provide an insight. It would need to be linked to a mark-release-recapture study.
Water quality Studies
Although we know that dragonflies require unpolluted, well oxygenated water, little is known accurately about their definite requirements. A literature review is also required to help identify the work that has already taken place.
Species Habitat Requirements
Currently habitat requirements are mostly defined at the qualitative level. Consequently some more objective parameters for particular species would be valuable and help to guide conservation.
Causes of Mortality at Emergence
We know that many dragonflies do not survive emergence and causes of mortality would provide an interesting insight. The use of artificial emergence sites could make the project easier.
Grants for young odonatists - the Philip Corbet Award Fund
Applications are invited from young odonatists for grants from the Philip Corbet Award Fund. This fund was established from donations to the BDS and named in recognition of Philip's contribution to the Society and odonate biology. Grants of up to £250 are available for each year.
The purpose of the fund is to provide some financial support for young people (anyone up to the age of 25 may apply) who are engaged in, or wish to establish, a small odonatological research project. The potential research topics are wide-ranging and could involve almost anything that may further our biological or ecological knowledge, or support the conservation of British dragonflies. Grants will not normally be awarded for projects outside the UK. Two previous awards aided the investigation of relationships between ditch vegetation and invertebrates, particularly larval Hawker dragonflies, at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB Reserve. The area of study was chosen with particular reference to the Norfolk Hawker and its possible connection with Water Soldier plants. The potential predation of Hawker larvae by some water beetles was also looked at.
On another occasion the Philip Corbet Award was used to support the monitoring of White-faced Darter in Cheshire where the tiny populations had been declining and have since disappeared. The environmental reasons for this decline required investigation and the project made several suggestions for management changes to favour the species concerned. There is no application form. Applicants should submit a typed application giving a brief outline of the aim/s of the project and likely outcomes. This should include details of the date and location of the proposed project and the expenses for which the grant is requested. Successful applicants will be required to liaise closely with the Convenor of the Dragonfly Conservation Group and to produce two copies of a project report by an agreed date. A summary of the report may be requested for publication in the BDS Journal or Newsletter.
Initial enquiries and requests for further details should be directed to Dave Smallshire Dragonfly Conservation Group (DCG) Convenor, 8 Twindle Beer, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 0JP
The Norman Moore Award Fund
Applications are also invited from odonatists for grants from the Norman Moore Award Fund. This fund was established by the BDS in 2003 and named in recognition of Norman's contribution to the Society and in particular to the conservation of dragonflies by the establishment of the Dragonfly Conservation Group. He was a founder member of the DCG and its first Convenor.
Grants of up to £250 are available for each year. The purpose of the fund is to provide some financial support for people over the age of 25 who are engaged in, or wish to establish, a small odonatological research project. The award mirrors the Philip Corbet Award for young odonatists and may involve biological, ecological, conservation or recording studies of British dragonflies. Grants will not normally be awarded for projects outside the UK.
There is no application form. Applicants should submit a typed application giving a brief outline of the aim/s of the project and likely outcomes. This should include details of the date and location of the proposed project and the expenses for which the grant is requested. Successful applicants will be required to liaise closely with the Convenor of the Dragonfly Conservation Group and to produce two copies of a project report by an agreed date. A summary of the report may be requested for publication in the BDS Journal or Newsletter.
Initial enquiries and requests for further details should be directed to Dave Smallshire Dragonfly Conservation Group (DCG) Convenor, 8 Twindle Beer, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 0JP
The Peter Miller Schools Ponds Fund
The Peter Miller Memorial Fund was first established in 1996 using donations given in memory of Peter Miller, a well known odonatologist, who made a major contribution to our understanding of dragonfly biology and in particular of their reproductive behaviour. Peter was also Vice-President of the BDS for six years and a member of the DCG. The original donations were used to help a number of schools to create ponds in the late 1990s. The BDS has recently suggested reviving the fund, so that schools can once again be assisted to create wildlife ponds with dragonflies in mind, and we are pleased that this has met with the support of Peter's widow, Kate.
The purpose of the fund is to support the creation of wildlife friendly ponds within school grounds or within the immediate area of a school for the sole use of school based groups. Ideally the grant of up to £250 would contribute towards the cost of purchasing necessary equipment for pond construction and/or towards the cost of materials used in the course of the pond project. Grants are not intended to contribute to the costs of employing a project worker. Grants will only be awarded to support pond projects that will improve young people's understanding of the conservation of dragonflies and other aquatic wildlife in the UK.
There is no application form. Persons over 21 may apply for a grant on behalf of a specified school, but they must have the support of the Head Teacher. In the first instance a letter briefly outlining the proposed project and the possible use of funds should be sent to the Dave Smallshire Dragonfly Conservation Group (DCG) Convenor, 8 Twindle Beer, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 0JP.