National Dragonfly Atlas Project - 2008 to 2013
The National Dragonfly Atlas Project
a species extending its range northwards
The National Dragonfly Atlas Project will be launched in April 2008. The aim of this project is to update the known distribution of British dragonfly and damselfly species over the next 5 years, culminating in the publication of a new national atlas in 2013.
A new national atlas is urgently required. Climate change is contributing to increasingly earlier spring emergence and change in the range of a number of our species. In addition, new species are becoming established in Britain, as demonstrated by the recent rapid spread of Small Red-eyed Damselfly. We are living through a dynamic change in our dragonfly fauna and need to record this information, thereby providing evidence for future assessment of the impact climate change and other environmental factors are having on our dragonfly fauna.
To succeed in this ambitious project good national coverage is needed. The more volunteers that get involved, especially in the traditionally under-recorded areas of Scotland, Ireland and northern England, the more information on the status of our dragonfly and damselfly species can be gathered. This will not only allow the production of a high quality national atlas but also provide a good baseline of information that can be used for the future benefit of dragonfly conservation.
Can you help with recording the dragonflies and damselflies in your local area or further a field?
Taking part
Below are some steps that you can take to make a contribution to this project
- Spread the word Let as many people know about the project as possible, including local natural history societies, site wardens and other wildlife groups. A poster and leaflet advertising the atlas project will be available to download from here. We also intend to prepare a short powerpoint presentation that may be incorporated into talks to local natural history groups. Leaftets, posters and presentation will also be available from the Dragonflies in Focus Officer.
- Volunteer to record in one or more 10-km squares Your local dragonfly recorder will be able to tell you where the gaps are in your local area. Can you help fill in these gaps? The Dragonflies in Focus Officer can also supply you with this information either locally or nationally. Any records you gather are important so please send them in to your local recorder.
- Join in one of many field meetings and training events These events will be published in the diary pages and spring issue of the Society's Dragonfly News. A number of additional training events will be organised as part of the atlas project. If there are no events in your local area why not help organise one?
- Keep up-to-date with progress Updated progress of recording for the national atlas will be posted on this website.
How do I submit my records?
greatly adds to the usefulness of the record
- RA83 recording card The best way to submit records is by using the RA83 recording card. This card allows you to record the abundance and evidence of breeding for each species. Please download the electronic version of the RA83 card (PDF Document: 71KB). Guide to Recorders (Word Document: 25KB) explains how to complete this RA83 recording card. Send your completed cards to your local dragonfly recorder.
- 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 to use within the Dragonfly Recording Network. Download the DRN Species Recorder (Unzip the folder and read the guidelines document).
- Online recording Unfortunately you cannot submit your records online. It is hoped that during the atlas recording period online recording will become available. If anyone has experience in online recording and would like to volunteer to help set it up, then please contact the Dragonflies in Focus Officer
Dragonflies in Focus project
The Dragonflies in Focus (DIF) project aims to achieve a long-term, sustainable programme of volunteer recording activities and provide better quality information on dragonflies and their aquatic environment. A major output of the project is the production of a new, revised national atlas. Funding for three years has allowed the society to employ a Dragonflies in Focus Officer to manage the Dragonfly Recording Network's national database and co-ordinate recording for the new atlas. For more information on the DIF project please contact this officer
