BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="RoyW" data-source="post: 1657499" data-attributes="member: 71737">"Is this a Ruddy or Common Darter?" This has to be the most frequently asked question about British Dragonflies!I have to agree with Steve D that it is not always possible to give an ID (with certainty) from a single photograph (sometimes it's not possible even if a series of photos are provided). I also agree that a consensus will probably not be reached on this one - but for me it's a Common Darter.I'm afraid that I have to disagree on this part though Steve...IMO, the brown thorax sides (I'm assuming your mention of abdomen was a typo) are a weak feature to use in support of an ID as Ruddy Darter. Admittedly Common Darters usually show at least some indication of yellow stripes (with at least some yellow typically remaining near the base of the hind legs), but the sides of the thorax do become more uniform as they age - see the photos that I posted in the thread linked by Steve C.I can see no features that I would consider to be 'pro' Ruddy in the photograph, and no features that I have not seen on Common Darters.The overal structure, including abdomen shape & length, suggest Common to me, and I would expect a Ruddy to show more black along the top and sides of the frons (even from this angle) + be much redder on the frons.Like some others I can also make out a pale stripe on the front leg (Common Darters legs darken as they age, but Ruddy Darters have all black legs from emergence so this is definately a Common D feature - at least for those who think they can see it!).</blockquote>

Verification