Enjoy spotting dragonflies and damselflies, or interested to learn more about them?
Join us for the Dragonfly Watch, organised as part of the NParks Community in Nature Biodiversity Watch series, and contribute to a citizen science study on these amazing flying predators.
You can also learn more about our common dragonflies and damselflies through our interactive e-learning module.
Dragonfly Watch March 2023 will take place from 11 March (Saturday) to 19 March (Sunday). Registration is now closed, please join us again in August!
What is the Dragonfly Watch all about?
The Dragonfly Watch is a citizen science initiative to involve the community in collecting valuable information about dragonflies and damselflies in our parks, gardens and reserves.
With the data collected from survey transects from the various parks around Singapore, we can start piecing together information about where our dragonflies and damselflies are found and in what numbers! This information will contribute towards better park management and conservation measures.
*For simplicity, we are using the broad term of ‘dragonfly’ here to refer to both dragonflies and damselflies unless otherwise specified.
Results from 2022 Dragonfly Watch
Results from past Dragonfly Watch surveys
How can I participate?
Experienced volunteers aged 12 and above can sign up and volunteer with us.
A training workshop on dragonfly identification and survey techniques will be organised for beginner and intermediate dragonfly-watchers before the survey. You will be assigned a survey site closer to the date of the survey.
What happens after I have signed up?
- We will email you the details to confirm your sign up.
- You may view theory training video and/or attend a practical training if you wish to have a refresher. The theory training session is about 2 hours long and the practical session is about 1 hour long. Both sessions cover basic survey and dragonfly-watching techniques. You will also learn how to identify the 23 species of dragonflies and damselflies for Dragonfly Watch.
- Few days before the Dragonfly Watch, we will send you information about your designated site and transect locations for your survey.
- Head down to your site on any day between 13 to 21 August (from 9 am to 5 pm) and conduct the count at your designated transect. The survey should take no more than three hours and can be conducted anytime from 9 am to 5 pm. The following windows are recommended:
- 9 am to 12 pm
- 2 pm to 5 pm
- Send the results of your survey to us either using the SGBioAtlas app, online survey form, or email us a scanned copy of your datasheet!
If you have any questions, please email us at CIN@nparks.gov.sg with “Dragonfly Watch Aug 2022” in the email subject.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- I don’t have any dragonfly-watching experience. Can I still participate?
Yes! We will provide training at our workshops and theory video, which will cover basic survey and dragonfly-watching techniques, as well as identification of 23 common dragonflies and damselflies in Singapore. This will enable you to carry out the basic surveys in ou parks. With practice, you will be able to identify more species and become a true-blue dragonfly watcher!
- Do I need any special equipment?
The survey is designed to accommodate surveyors without any specialised equipment such as a camera or a pair of binoculars. All you need is a datasheet and a pen, or a smartphone with the SGBioAtlas app. You are encouraged to bring along a camera and/or a pair of binoculars though!
- What are the common species?
Here are the common damselfly and dragonfly species:
|
ID
|
Common Name
|
Scientific Name
|
|
Damselflies
|
|
Family Coenagrionidae
|
|
01
|
Variable Wisp
|
Agriocnemis femina
|
|
02
|
Ornate Coraltail
|
Ceriagrion cerinorubellum
|
|
03
|
Common Bluetail
|
Ischnura senegalensis
|
|
04
|
Blue Sprite
|
Pseudagrion microcephalum
|
|
Dragonflies
|
|
Family Gomphidae
|
|
05
|
Common Flangetail
|
Ictinogomphus decoratus
|
|
Family Libellulidae
|
|
06
|
Trumpet Tail
|
Acisoma panorpoides
|
|
07
|
Grenadier
|
Agrionoptera insignis
|
|
08
|
Blue Dasher
|
Brachydiplax chalybea
|
|
09
|
Common Amberwing
|
Brachythemis contaminata
|
|
10
|
Common Scarlet
|
Crocothemis servilia
|
|
11
|
Common Parasol
|
Neurothemis fluctuans
|
|
12
|
Spine-tufted Skimmer
|
Orthetrum chrysis
|
|
13
|
Blue Skimmer
|
Orthetrum glaucum
|
|
14
|
Variegated Green Skimmer
|
Orthetrum sabina
|
|
15
|
Scarlet Skimmer
|
Orthetrum testaceum
|
|
16
|
Wandering Glider
|
Pantala flavescens
|
|
17
|
Common Chaser
|
Potamarcha congener
|
|
18
|
Banded Skimmer
|
Pseudothemis jorina
|
|
19
|
Common Redbolt
|
Rhodothemis rufa
|
|
20
|
Yellow-barred Flutterer
|
Rhyothemis phyllis
|
|
21
|
White-barred Duskhawk
|
Tholymis tillarga
|
|
22
|
Crimson Dropwing
|
Trithemis aurora
|
|
23
|
Scarlet Basker
|
Urothemis signata insignata
|
- When and where are the training sessions?
For this round of Dragonfly Watch, there would be 2 training sessions - a theory session and a practical session.
The video link for the theory session will be sent to registered participants. Volunteers are required to watch the session at their convenience prior to attending the practical session. Those who have attended the previous training sessions are not required to attend.
The practical session will be held at Singapore Botanic Gardens, on 26 and 26 Feb 2023 (9 am to 12 pm). You may register for a 1-hr slot on any one of the two days. Volunteers will be able to try out techniques taught in theory session with the help of a guide. Do note that slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited availability.
- Will the Dragonfly Watch be very time consuming?
The dragonfly survey itself will take no more than three hours, to be conducted on any day between 11 to 19 March 2023 between 9 am to 5 pm. The following windows are recommended:
- 9 am to 12 pm
- 2 pm to 5 pm
If you volunteer to do counts at more than one site, you may be required to spend more than one day within the stipulated week to carry this out.
- How will the data I collect help NParks’ park management and conservation efforts?
The data on the dragonfly species and their distribution collected during the Dragonfly Watch will help establish a baseline from which we can monitor the patterns in dragonfly populations in Singapore. With the counts held annually, we can track changes over time and develop management strategies to sustain or even enhance these populations.
-
Can children under the age of 12 participate in this event?
Children aged 12 years and below may join the surveys as long as they are accompanied by their parents or guardian.They can be registered under the 'Children under 12 years old' section in the Dragonfly Watch registration form.
-
Is it compulsory for me to attend the training workshops?
You will be required to attend the training session if you are a beginner volunteer or entirely new to Dragonfly Watch. The training sessions will also teach you how to do a transect survey and give relevant instructions for Dragonfly Watch.
It is not compulsory for returning volunteers to attend the training. However, you may wish to attend the training workshop as a refresher.
-
Can my school/company/organisation participate in this event?
Yes, you may join our public training sessions and conduct surveys together. Please contact us at CIN@nparks.gov.sg for large group registrations.