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This protocol is designed to monitoring Odonata species on SRWT nature reserves, with the aim to collect data on species richness; abundance and evidence of breeding activity.
Protocol description
This is a transect survey
Skill level
Surveyors should be able to identify the target species confidently and have received training in the monitoring protocol. Identification skills improve with practice so surveyors should be asked to make a minimum commitment to assisting with three or more survey visits.
Materials/equipment
- Map & GPS
- Weather writer and pen/pencil
- Survey sheets
- Throw line & life vests
- ID guide
- Sweep Net
- Bug pots and labels
- Tally counter
- Hand lens
- First Aid kit
- Camera
- Close focus binoculars
Timing
Surveys can take place at any time of day, as long as the weather conditions are right.
Monthly surveys should be carried out between May and September at least three weeks apart.
Method
Dragonfly and damselfly counts are made adjacent to water bodies. For Agden Bog a transect approach is used along the single stream on site. A map of the site has been created showing the locations of the transects should be loaded onto a GPS to aid location in the field. Counts should be made along these transects. The transect should not cross boundaries between 1km OS grid squares.
Weather conditions should be checked before departing for the survey, to ensure minimum requirements have been met.
Surveyors should walk slowly along their transect, stopping to scan with binoculars if helpful.
If large numbers of species are present, survey the transect twice, first recording damselflies and darters, then recording the other dragonfly species.
For each species encountered, counts are made of the number of adults observed (for counts of individual adults, a pair mating counts as two individuals), number of copulating pairs observed, number of individuals seen ovipositing and number of exuviae recorded. A tally counter or 'five bar gate' can be used to aid accuracy, however number codes are used to provide a final estimate for each species, therefore surveyors faced with a large number of individuals do not need to count every individual, instead they can estimate which number code the species falls into. Counting in blocks may help with this.
Number codes are as follows:
- A=1
- B= 2-5
- C= 6-20
- D=21-100
- E=101-500
- F= 500+
If a surveyor cannot identify a species, they should take notes and if possible take photos in order to identify the species at a later date. Likewise, any exuviae that can not be identified can be collected and identified off site. Surveyors should ensure that they note the location of any samples/photos taken. Netting is an option to aid identification.
Survey forms
Other information
References
British Dragonfly Society (2015) Methodology for monitoring important sites.
Daguet, C.A., French, G.C. and Taylor, P. (2008) The Odonata Red Data List for Great Britain. Species Status 11; 1-34. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.
Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (2018) Dragonflies survey volunteer handbook, Manchester.
Sorby Invertebrate Group (Unpublished) Dragonflies of the Sheffield Area.