Photos

I still have yet to see any BBCs, the following images are from Rory Morrisey

• 
  Male, Alwins Field - Photograph kindly donated by Rory Morrisey
• 
  Female, Alwins Field - Photograph kindly donated by Rory Morrisey
• 
  Ovipositing female, Alwins Field - Photograph kindly donated by Rory Morrisey

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Main features

Mid sized dragonfly, with an unusually short broad body.

The male has a distinctive blue pruinosed abdomen, with yellow spots along the side. The female is more yellow, a dull brown that darkens with age, the yellow spots are larger in the female.

The immature male is a bright orange yellow colour, without the blue colouring.

Both male and female feature brown patches at the base of the wings.

Could be confused with the much rarer Scarce Chaser - Libellula fulva, which is smaller and of slighter build, or the Black-tailed Skimmer - Orthetrum cancellatum, which lacks the basal wing patches.

Habitat

Prefers still, shallow waters, ponds and lakes that aren't too sheltered, rarely at rivers but found at overflow pools close by.

Where to see

Mostly ponds, in gardens and woods, often found singly.

Visible between early May and September