Golden Ring (Cordulegaster boltonii)

Golden Ring Dragonfly

This dragonfly is one of our largest native species and gets its name from the golden bands on its abdomen at regular intervals.

It can be common on moorland & heathland streams, where males can be seen patrolling their territory. It is not uncommon to have a male stationed every 10 - 20 metres or so and aerial clashes are therefore inevitable.

Females are far less common and can often be heard before they are seen. The clash of their wingbeats on low dense vegetation can be the first indication of a female egg laying.

The males are fond of basking in the sunshine and on a hot day some really close up images are possible. This is a truely magnificient & colourful dragonfly to watch and photograph.