| Declaration: For the record I do not claim to have seen or heard of this species in the Goyt Valley. It is however well within range and very close by. It is what I am actively hunting for in season. Others may wish to do the same. The largest UK Dragonfly and it may well be in the Goyt Valley but as yet unseen for a mighty powerful reason.
Dragonflies are ultimately tied to ponds at some point in the lives both when larvae and as adults. The Golden-ringed is not. Their preference is for clean water of flowing stream beds, with small calm ponding at the sides. We can sit at high level above ponds and wait for signs of activity. That strategy will not work with stream beds. It is a case of getting lucky. The more people looking the better. I have also seen the Common Hawker engaging in similar activity close to stream beds in the Goyt Valley but I do not fully understand that. |
