An introduction to dragonflies and damselflies

Male broad bodied chaser dragonfly, photo by Steve Weeks

Male broad bodied chaser dragonfly, photo by Steve Weeks

Migrant hawker dragonfly in flight - Selwyn Dennis

Migrant hawker dragonfly in flight - Selwyn Dennis

Dragonfly, photo by J. Hukins

Dragonfly, photo by J. Hukins

Banded damselfly on frogbit

Banded damselfly on frogbit - Penny Brook

Draginflies on plant

Image credit: Guy Edwards

An emperor dragonfly in flight, with an apple-green thorax and dazzling blue abdomen

Emperor dragonfly © Chris Lawrence

An introduction to dragonflies and damselflies

Location:
Book
Learn about the life cycles and habitats of dragonflies and aids to identification. Then participate in a field study of adult dragonflies.

Event details

Meeting point

Meet in the cottage, Oak Lodge near the visitor centre

Date

Time
10.00am -4pm
A static map of An introduction to dragonflies and damselflies

About the event

The morning will begin in the classroom finding out how to identify dragonflies, and learning about their lifecycle and habitats, with the aid of photographic slides.  The rest of the day will be spent visiting the ponds in the reserve to observe and identify dragonflies.

By the end of the session it is expected that you will be able to:

  1. Identify common dragonflies & damselflies likely to be seen in the summer months
  2. Understand more about dragonfly lifecycles

Led by Gill and John Brook, formerly County Recorders for Odonata.

Suitable for beginners and improvers.

Please note that the actual venue for this course is Oak Lodge, a cottage close to the visitor centre at Sevenoaks Wildife Reserve.  If you look directly at the visitor centre and then go right, you will see a large circular sign on the front of Oak Lodge itself. See also google maps for the location of Oak Lodge.

Parking charges apply at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve car park but this is included with your ticket if you book at least 72 hours in advance. To receive free parking you must email the correct number plate of the car you will be using to [email protected] at least 72 hours before the event start time. Please include the date of the event you have booked and the name the booking was made in as part of your email. If you are booking within 72 hours of the event, or do not confirm your number plate by this time, you will need to pay for parking on the day.

Booking

Price

Standard fee: £37.50 per person per day.
Concessionary fee: Kent Wildlife Trust volunteers, senior citizens, unemployed and students £5 off.

Additional booking information

Dragonfly identification leaflets may be available which can be purchased at the end of the day if desired. Damselflies may be netted by the leaders to assist in identification only and then released. The presence or absence of dragonflies is weather dependent.

Suitable for

Adults, Beginners

Know before you go

Dogs

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Assistance dogs only

Only guide dogs are allowed on the reserve. Dogs are allowed in the car park and picnic area on a lead.

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Mobility

Walking from visitor centre to far end of long lake and returning via path by willow hide pond to be back at the visitor centre by 4pm.  We will be stopping several times during this walk and will be having a break for lunch midway. The main path is suitable for those with limited mobility and for wheel chair users.  However, observation spots for dragonflies and damselflies are often away from main path on sloping, uneven and narrow tracks leading to fishing spots so may not be suitable for those with mobility issues.

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What to bring

Close-focusing binoculars or monoculars if you have them.  Notebook and pen.  Suitable clothing and walking footwear, packed lunch and sufficient drink. 

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Facilities

Toilets
Shop
Cafe/refreshments
Picnic area

Contact us

Jill Evington
Contact number: 01622 662012
Contact email: [email protected]