Geograph - photograph every grid square

Common Darter dragonfly, Sympetrum striolatum, Rainham Marshes

Seen on a boardwalk on the RSPB Rainham Marshes reserve. The dull colour of this individual shows that it is a 'teneral', not long emerged from the larval stage. In a few days it will appear much more reddish - provided it survives. (I ought to say that I am a novice at dragonfly identification. This is a darter with a narrow abdomen, and that makes it a Sympetrum. Further than that I can't go with confidence, but much the commonest breeding Sympetrum in Britain is S. striolatum - the alternatives would be highly unlikely).