Here come the reds?

About a month ago, I received two separate reports from reputable observers of a small dragonfly which was red in colour. The Orkney list of resident Odonata does not include any size of red dragonfly (although we do have Large Red Damselfly). These reports came from two different islands, which lessened but didn't totally discount the possibility that what was seen was the same insect. With only brief views and no photographs to go on, an identification could not be given. For context, at that time throughout the UK, there were various species of dispersive dragonfly being reported, some possibly of UK origin, many more likely to have been migrants from Europe or North Africa. One of these species was Red-veined Darter. Meanwhile, slightly closer to home across the Pentland Firth, Caithness and Sutherland (like much of the UK) do have a resident species of red dragonfly, the Common Darter, but none have ever been reported from Orkney.

I chalked this experience up to "Gah!"

Meanwhile, in the garden at home...

Early morning visitors to the pond, Rock Dove and Wood Pigeon 

Pottering across the paving by the front door, a sexton beetle Nicrophorus investigator

One afternoon this week, I received a report and an accompanying photo of a species of red darter taken on the island of Shapinsay. It is 12 years since I have had to think carefully about Common Darters and a decade since I saw a Red-veined Darter. Also, the Scottish highlands have a dark coloured form of Common Darter which I have never seen, so I was slightly reticent about jumping the gun and proclaiming a new species for Orkney until I had seen the insect up close and personal. Therefore, the following day Megan and I embarked upon what would be known in birding circles as a twitch.

Little and large. Orkney Ferries' Nordic Sea (a small passenger ferry) and the TUI Cruises cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 (complement 2506 passengers, 1000 crew)

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Emerald Damselfly

Emerald Damselfly

Small Tortoiseshell butterfly

Garden Bumblebee

We did not find a red darter of any sort, but saw plenty else and had lunch at the Smithy Cafe on the island. I forwarded the finder's images of the red dragonfly to the migrant dragonfly guru at the British Dragonfly Society, and he confirmed that it was a Common Darter.

So, we have a new species for the county and are now wondering if it was simply a lone individual. Or perhaps several individuals... maybe of opposite genders... and also consenting adults... which would mean the possibility of a breeding population. The answer to this is probably a task for the coming years.