Hampshire Dragonflies
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(Sympetrum sanguineum)
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Ruddy Weather!
A medium-sized (34-36mm) dragonfly which is superficially similar to the Common Darter, but can be confirmed by the presence of all black legs. Has a tendency to prefer man-made ponds such as gravel pits, thriving where there is a large presence of bulrush and  surrounding foliage.

Males are not as active as Common Darters, preferring to perch within their territory. In flight they take short, bouncy forays before returning to their preferred perch.

Females are more often discovered within the surrounding foliage, visiting water to mate and oviposit. Both sexes can be found in huge numbers where conditions are optimum eg; Cliffe Marshes and Studland Heath.
JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT





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Badminston Common Keyhaven

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Higher Hyde Heath Studland Heath

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