Recording Dragonflies and Damselflies in the British Isles

*Introduction

Recording the occurrence of Dragonflies and Damselflies is of primary importance in enhancing our understanding of these fascinating insects and taking significant steps towards their protection and the conservation of their habitats.

Within the British Dragonfly Society, the Dragonfly Recording Network (DRN) has been set up to handle Odonata records in the British Isles.

The Dragonfly Recording Network operates within guidelines described by the following set of policies. These polices are based upon recommendations given by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN). (These are .pdf Documents. If you do not have a .pdf reader, it may be downloaded from here.

Dragonfly Recording Network - Data Access Policy
Dragonfly Recording Network - Charging Policy
Dragonfly Recording Network - Privacy Policy

This section is still under construction, however some key documents are already available, including:

  1. List of Odonata Vice-County Recorders (Currently, a Microsoft Word document: 70 KB): Please send your Odonata records to the relevant Vice-County Recorder, so that the best use can be made of them. Vice-County Recorders will send data to the Regional Co-ordinator (where there is one) or directly to the National Co-ordinator of the Dragonfly Recording Network. PLEASE CHECK THIS LIST REGULARLY FOR UPDATES IN YOUR AREA.

  2. Electronic version of the New Odonata Recording Card RA83 (PDF Document: 71KB)
    Note the change of reference number. The number RA81 was already in use by another recording scheme.

  3. A comprehensive Guide to Recorders (Word Document: 25Kb) on completing the RA83 recording card.

  4. Excel spreadsheet Alternatively you may enter your records using an Excel spreadsheet. To make entering records into Excel easier Sussex Biological Records Centre produced a record input facility. This is known as 'Species Recorder' and has been modified for use within the Dragonfly Recording Network. Download the DRN Species Recorder (Unzip the folder and read the guidelines document).

  5. Electronic version of the Darter Newsletter, Issue 25 (PDF Document: 786 KB). This issue of the Dragonfly Recording Network's Newsletter contains news from around the UK, preparations for the new atlas project and food for thought from Sussex. (Please note that the Vice-County Recorder list has been updated since this publication - see the up-to-date list at point 1 above).

Important: Odonata recorders should ensure that they have full permission of access from the landowner(s) before entering any private land.