The British Dragonfly Society produces a colourful twice yearly magazine for its members which I can highly recommend for those that are interested in dragonflies.
In the latest edition there is a list of the 'First Dates for 2014' for species sightings reported to their website for the UK and I am glad to say the Isle of Wight notched up the first Ruddy Darter seen in Britain this year.
The date of the sighting was in early June at Brading Marsh.
This attractive darter is mainly seen here in July and August and can be locally common throughout southern and eastern England.The male has a waisted abdomen which turns blood red in colour as it matures.Females and immatures are yellow-ochre marked with thin black lines.
The immature male seen at the marsh is pictured below followed by photographs of a mature male and a mating pair.
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