Red-veined Darter - at last!!!

 Earlier in the year, I blogged about a possible sighting of a Red-veined Darter, seen as RSPB Frampton Marsh. Unfortunately, at the time, the individual didn't stay in sight long enough to clinch the id. Likewise, I had a single dragonfly in Menorca a few years ago, but again, I couldn't be 100% clear on identification. 

After a significant influx into the UK this year, a very good number of Red-veined Darters were seen at a site, Waverley Lakes/Lagoons, in South Yorkshire, just half an hour from home. I popped across last week, but didn't manage to find any. Another report came in yesterday of 30+ individuals (including pairs in tandem and ovipositing), so, this afternoon, I drove across again, and, after 20 minutes I eventually managed to find, and photograph my first confirmed sighting!

Red-veined Darter (male)

These photos were the best I could do, as they are extremely flighty and hard to pin down. Luckily, though, I managed to see to get a shot of the red veins, and the yellow pterostigma, complete with an obvious black border. The blue lower half of eye can also just be seen. I'll pop back again this summer, and hopefully get a few better shots.

Other species seen were: Small Red-eyed Damselflies (ovipositing), Blue-tailed Damselflies (in tandem) and Black-tailed Skimmer (10+ individuals, including this pair "in cop").

Black-tailed Skimmer