The Golden-ringed Dragonflies are gaining good populations in the New Forest right now – along fast-flowing gravel-based streams, on heath’s and along forest rides.
They can be hard to follow in-flight, disappearing out of vision when the background doesn’t supply a good contrast.
However they do land reasonably frequently and can perch very close if you remain still and don’t make any sudden movements.
On the heath and along forest rides they can be very well camouflaged when perched on heather, bracken and other foliage and only make their presence known when they fly up ahead of you.
They usually land again after a short while and stealth is needed to approach them for a good photo opportunity.