A bit of a conundrum today: I suspect this is Smicronyx jungermanniae, which would be a lifer, but I admittedly have no experience on whether this species needs microscopy or anything to confirm.
It was on a fencepost in a grassy area on Flamborough Head, but it could have been blown from anywhere as it was quite windy today and I would be extremely grateful if someone could shed a bit of light on this for me.
I nipped down to Flamborough Head today to look for the oil beetles for my challenge, as any of them would be a lifer. I was to be unlucky, however, but I did get an arguably better lifer.
In the morning a female Red-veined Darter was found along the cliff top and I wasn’t expecting to see it given how mobile single migrant dragonflies can be. I did have it in the back of my mind though.
This is a species which I probably should have seen by now, even though they are quite a scarce migrant to most of the country. Indeed, I’m fairly sure I had one at Titchwell Marsh when I was in Norfolk, but I couldn’t be certain as the views were very brief.
Today though, I noticed a darter flying down the path and it settled, quite distantly, but long enough for me to get this record shot.
Red-veined Darter
It’s really not the best of shots but you can clearly see the extensive yellowish veins exhibited by female Red-veined Darters. This shot also gives a sense of the two-toned eyes:
