The dragonfly has been declining in numbers over the years. Sophie Lewis media & events officer for the BBOWT explains how you can create the right environment for them.

Dragonflies are one of our most colourful insects and are generally seen flitting around our waterways during the summer months. As with many species of wildlife, they have experienced a sharp decline in recent years.

Fifty years ago, there were twice as many ponds in Britain as there are today. Not so long ago every village had one and every farm had several. The filling-in of ponds, draining of agricultural land and pollution has now cut this number dramatically. This has meant that many of our aquatic wildlife species have suffered, including the dragonfly.

There are two types of dragonfly found in the UK. Hawkers have long, slim bodies and patrol up and down stretches of water hawking for prey. Darters have shorter fatter bodies and spend most of their time clinging to waterside plants, occasionally darting out to catch a passing insect.

You can help both these types of dragonfly by setting aside part of your garden for a wildlife pond. This habitat will support these creatures throughout their life. Dragonflies lay eggs on plants around the edge, their larvae develop on the bed of the pond and adults feed off insects found around the water's edge.

You can build a pond at anytime of year, although it is best to start digging in late autumn and then let the area fill up with rainwater throughout the winter. This will mean you do not have to use too much tap water. The larger species of dragonfly, such as the emperor prefer a bigger pond, but no matter how small your pond is, you are sure to attract some wildlife.

Plants are the secret to creating a pond fit for wildlife. Marginals grow in damp soil in the shallows at the water's edge. These plants give the pond a natural look. Colourful, native species you might want to use include water mint, brooklime, spearwort and marsh marigold. Taller marginal plants are ideal for dragonflies and provide the perfect place to lay their eggs.

Emergent plants are rooted well below the water level, but have leaves above. These plants give dragonfly larvae a ladder out of their watery habitat when they are ready to start the next stage of their lives. The best plants have smooth sword shaped leaves.

Other plants that you can use in a pond are floaters, which provide shade and halt the spread of blanket weed and algae. Oxygenators, which produce vital oxygen for all types of pond wildlife, and finally bog plants. You should avoid some species. These include alien marsh pennywort, curly waterweed, New Zealand stonecrop, Nutall's pondweed, parrots feather and water fern. The best time to plant up a pond is in the spring.

There are many more features you can include in a pond, but as long as you have water and shallow edges, you will find wildlife.

For more detailed information on gardening for dragonflies, contact BBOWT by visiting our website on www.bbowt.org.uk or calling the Wildlife Information Service on 01865 775476.

Dragonfly data

i There are approximately 3,600 species of dragonfly in the world. In the UK there are 27 species of dragonfly and 16 species of damselfly.

The adult dragonfly has the biggest eyes in the insect world and they are capable of detecting movement up to 15 metres away.

Fossilised remains show that dragonflies were already here on earth a massive 300 million years ago.

Male dragonflies have their own territory, guarding their particular stretch of water, seeking prey and females, and chasing off rivals.

The dragonfly's adult life lasts for little more than one month