Red-veined Darter - Middleton

 The hot weather produced a lot of butterfly and dragonfly activity at Middleton and I was aware that Red-veined Darters had been recorded in good numbers in South Yorkshire so I had a look at the darters at Middleton and there were several Red-veined! 

My impression was that I'd started to see the 'red' darters when the influx of Painted Lady Butterflies occured several weeks ago and I guess that makes sense as they are also migrants from southern Europe.

The red veins for which they are named show up well in the top photo and the blue base to the eyes can be seen in the lower photo. As far as I can tell its the first time they have been recorded at Middleton Moor.

Red-veined Darter - male

A Quail could be heard on Black Harry Lane for several days from 22nd June and another Green Sandpiper turned up on the 26th, this time a juvenile, when there was also a Water Rail.

Green Sandpiper

I saw my first Hobby of the year at Middleton this morning and with the dragonflies and incresing numbers of hirundines I hope to see it again.