There is always plenty to see at RSPB Ham Wall and this time of year is no exception with the breeding season well under way and insect life starting to thrive. Along with all the young and fledging birds bringing new life to the reedbeds, one of spectacles of the season is the four-spotted chaser dragonfly roost. It’s one of the most beautiful of wildlife spectacles with the shimmering wings of dragonflies sparkling in the golden morning light.
Some of you may be wondering when the best time to see the roost is, whilst others may be wondering what a four-spotted chaser looks like. This blog aims to cover this and hopefully even those who are old hats at visiting the roost will learn something new.
Four-spotted Chaser (Steve Hughes)
What is a four-spotted chaser and what does it look like?
Four-spotted chasers (aka 4-Spots) are a medium sized (39-48 mm length) rather uniformly brown dragonfly with black tails which look like they have been dipped in paint. There is no variation between males and females. They have a distinctive black spot in the middle of the top of their wings. More information, including a handy video, about how to identify 4-Spots can be found on the British Dragonfly Society website on this link: https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/four-spotted-chaser/
Four-spotted chasers on a reed (Steve Hughes)
Where are four-spotted chasers found?
4-spots are found at a wide range of standing waters such as ponds and lakes throughout most of the UK and Ireland.
What do I need to know about visiting the roost?
4-spots are on the wing from April through to September but the best time of year to visit the roost is typically in May and June.
Visiting the roost requires an early start! You’ll need to be here at first light to view the dragonfly spectacle and by 10 am it will largely be over as the dragonflies will have warmed up and be off about their day – feeding on other small insects.
In the last few years, the dragonflies have been roosting in the reeds along the grass path of the Walton Heath trail. However, the roost can and does move and it is not always to an area that is publicly accessible so please be prepared for disappointment should this happen.
Keep to the paths. Please don’t go rummaging in the undergrowth or crawling through the reedbeds to get a closer to roost. The reeds that the dragonflies roost in are also home to other species that make their home here at Ham Wall and some of them could be busy raising families in the very same reeds. A pair of binoculars or using the zoom on camera will allow you to get a closer look without needing get closer to the roost.
The Royal Photographic Society has produced a useful 'Nature Photographers' code of conduct' which gives guidance around photographing nature and highlights the laws which apply while doing so. This is a useful resource for not only beginner and experienced photographers, but anyone who enjoys watching wildlife. The link to the code can be found here: https://bit.ly/2Rv76Ry.
Thank you all for your continued support – we can’t wait to see you out on the reserve. Whether you’re visiting to catch a glimpse of the four spots, you’re listening for the boom of the bitterns or looking to the skies for herons flying overhead, be sure to say hello to our friendly staff and volunteers on site.
If you haven’t already, please do consider joining or donating to help fund the work of the RSPB, so that we can continue to improve our habitats and reserves for both people and for wildlife.