Snap The Dragons
25 June 2008
British Waterways Scotland Wants Everyone to Capture the Wee Dragons o' the Water
British Waterways has launched a UK-wide wildlife photography competition urging everyone to take snaps of dragonflies and damselflies - the dragons o' the water! The competition is open to everyone who visits Scotland's canals this summer and captures the creatures on camera.
The competition is designed to encourage people of all ages to take an active part in the organisation's fifth annual wildlife survey, which records biodiversity on the inland waterways and is used to help British Waterways Scotland plan the management of its canals and the protection of their rich array of wildlife.
Last year, despite the wet weather, there were almost 4,000 sightings of over 60 different species. This year British Waterways has joined forces with the British Dragonfly Society to focus on dragonflies and damselflies that live in and around Scotland 's canals. These are two of the UK 's most visually stunning insects which, in recent years, have come under threat from habitat destruction and the effects of climate change .
The best photograph will win a cash prize of £100 and this year, f or the first time, the competition has another category open to children under 14 who have the chance to win £ 50 of vouchers for their winning photo. All photographs should be e-mailed to editor@waterscape.com or for postal entries visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifephotocompetition for details. The competition closes on 30 September 2008 and the w inning entries, along with a selection of runners-up, will be published on www.waterscape.com.
Dr Olivia Lassiere , environment and heritage manager at British Waterways Scotland explains: "Watch out for dragonflies on sunny days basking on light coloured surfaces including fences and footpaths. Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the same family but are easy to tell apart: dragonflies are larger, faster and more aggressive, but don't worry - they don't bite or sting. Their wings are outstretched at rest, and males often set up territories which they can be seen patrolling. Damselflies are delicate, very thin and fold their wings back over their bodies at rest. Look out for clouds of them flitting over the water surface and amongst waterside vegetation."
Over half the population lives within five miles of one of Scotland 's canals, so why not visit your local waterway this summer, whether by boat, foot or bike, and tell us about the wildlife you see there.
To find out more about the photo competition or to take part in this year's wildlife survey visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifephotocompetition. Alternatively, people can take part by filling in a freepost reply form, part of a special wildlife guide for families visiting the waterways, downloadable from www.waterscape.com or available by calling British Waterways Customer Service Centre on 01923 201120.
Ends XX June 2008
For further information contact:
Paula McNulty?/Stacey Bell
Weber Shandwick
T: 0131 556 6649
M: 07770 886924/ 07824 990614
E: pmcnulty@webershandwick.com/sbell@webershandwick.com
Notes to Editors
For competition terms and conditions please visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifephotocompetition
British Waterways Scotland
Responsibility for inland waterways in Scotland is a devolved matter, with funding for British Waterways' Scottish activities coming from the Scottish Government. In Scotland the 137-mile (220km) canal network includes the Caledonian, Crinan, Forth & Clyde, Union and Monkland canals.
British Waterways Scotland works in partnerships with local authorities, voluntary groups, private companies and other government agencies to protect and enhance the waterways and benefit the communities through which they run.
The organisation balances the conservation of the country's heritage and environment with developing commercial opportunities to generate income to reinvest in the waterways for further sustainable regeneration.
Millions of people enjoy Scotland 's inland waters for recreational activity, sports and leisure. Safety is British Waterway's top priority. Water safety advice and information on the safe use of Scotland 's canals - both on water and waterside - can be found on our websites.
Waterscape.com is the comprehensive, easy to use online guide to Britain 's inland waterways, giving visitors access to the complete waterside experience. Visit www.waterscape.com for a full range of services including:
Booking waterside cottages, a range of hotel breaks and canal boat holidays
Recommendations on walking, cycling, jogging and angling beside the water
Best waterside bars, pubs and restaurants
Waterway maps and guides with information on visitor attractions, local history and wildlife
News and events guides and listings
Waterscape.com promotes and provides information on all waterways in the UK , including rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs, working in conjunction with the Environment Agency, The Broads Authority and British Waterways. It is also partnering with boat hire companies, holiday cottage operators and other waterside businesses whose products and services will be available through the website.
There are hundreds of miles of almost uninterrupted hedgerow along the canal network, populated by birds such as sparrows, blackbirds and buntings. The sloping off-side bank of waterways also provides an ideal nesting habitat for moorhens, coots and mute swans, while visiting birds like kingfishers and herons are attracted to the wealth of fish in the canals.
British Dragonfly Society
Aims of the Society
Founded in 1983 (celebrating 25 years this year), the British Dragonfly Society (BDS) is a Registered Charity, number 800196. Its aim is to encourage and support the study and conservation of dragonflies in the UK and further afield.
Contact details
Conservation Officer: Secretary:
Katharine Parkes, BDS Henry Curry, British Dragonfly Society
c/o Natural England ( West Midlands ) 23 Bowker Way
Attingham Park , Shrewsbury Whittlesey
SY4 5JA Peterborough PE7
Tel: 01743 282021 bdssecretary@dragonflysoc.org.uk
katharine.parkes@naturalengland.org.ukWebsite: www.dragonflysoc.org.uk