The two black dragonflies found locally* are the UK's longest (golden-ringed dragonfly) and the smallest (black darter). In June I was pleased to take part in a bioblitz at the Hepple Estate in Northumberland. My job was to survey dragonflies and the first one I found was a male golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii).
Last week I went back for a second survey with Mary Gough, the estate's conservation manager. This time we found an ovipositing female golden-ringed dragonfly. It was very difficult to get an action photo in the reeds but fortunately the dragonfly settled for a short while to get its breath back. You can see its wings are frayed from bashing against the reeds.
We were also pleased to see both male and female black darters (Sympetrum danae) but so far we don't have evidence of breeding there. This is a younger mature male
and an older male, almost completely black.
The only glimpse we had of a female.
Also last week I made my regular August trip to Cragside in Northumberland and the black darters were everywhere. These are males.
This is a teneral female
and a more mature female, although she still has white wing spots.
And a mating pair. This female has black wing spots.
* Three other predominantly UK black dragonflies are white-faced darter, northern emerald and common clubtail but they are not found in this region.
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