Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers at Warnham Local Nature Reserve
Welcome to my wildlife photography journal! On 22nd August 2026, I spent some time at Warnham Local Nature Reserve photographing a couple of the dragonfly species that were around on the day. It was an enjoyable session that offered two very different photographic challenges, with the Common Darters providing settled opportunities while the Migrant Hawkers demanded a much faster approach.
The Common Darters were particularly cooperative, with several resting in the vegetation and giving me some lovely opportunities to photograph them while they were settled. When dragonflies sit still like this, it becomes much more about patience and waiting for the right pose, position and background before taking the shot. It’s always rewarding when a dragonfly chooses a good perch and gives you the time to work with it.
The Migrant Hawkers were a completely different challenge. These fast-flying dragonflies were constantly on the move as they patrolled their territory, rarely giving me much time to react. Photographing them in flight is always a real test of timing, tracking and autofocus, as you have to keep the subject in the frame while anticipating where it is going to move next.
When everything comes together and you manage to capture a sharp image of a fast-moving dragonfly in flight, it makes all the concentration and effort worthwhile. There is a very different feeling between photographing a Common Darter patiently resting in the vegetation and trying to follow a Migrant Hawker as it races around the reserve, but both approaches are equally enjoyable.
It was a great example of how wildlife photography can require completely different techniques during the same visit. One subject rewards patience and observation, while the other demands concentration, quick reactions and accurate tracking.
Another enjoyable session at Warnham Local Nature Reserve, with two very different dragonflies providing plenty of photographic challenges and opportunities.
