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Message: <blockquote data-quote="RoyW" data-source="post: 1356485" data-attributes="member: 71737">Not the only person Steve - I agreed that it is most likely a Common!I would be surprised if a maturing Ruddy D had two 'neat' yellow stripes like most Common D's, however as they change from yellow to red, there is a period (perhaps just a few days) when they may be red (or orangey red) on the abdomen but still have varying amounts of yellow on the thorax. Basically, 'young' Ruddy's can superficiallylook like Common D's, and old Common's can lose the yellow - so end up resembling Ruddy D's. In my experience the flight season of most Ruddy D's is over by mid September (although I have seen odd individuals into mid October). Other observers seem to record reasonable numbers into October though (as late as 11th Nov in 'The Dragonflies of Essex', 2007) - I can't help being sceptical of these late records because of the likelihood of confusion with these old Common D's. Two votes for Common D then - any more views?Roy.</blockquote>