physically separate, but in attendance, hovering close by. Territorial males are quite
aggressive, and will 'see off intruding males of their own species, as well as individuals
of larger species, such as Aeshna mixta. As with other darters, there are two characteristic
postures adopted by settled individuals. When fully at rest, the wings are swept down
and forwards, at an oblique angle to the body, but there is also a transitional 'alert'
posture, adopted on alighting on a perch, or when alarmed or about to take off. in which
the wings are held out horizontally, and at right angles to the body (resembling the
typical resting posture of hawker dragonflies). The species may be on the wing from
mid-July, but is more commonly met with from late July, and may be observed as late as
early November. They are adept at making the most of autumnal sunshine, frequently
'basking' on light, reflective surfaces (including the clothing of their human
observers!).
Henry Doubleday (1871) reported S. striolatum to be 'very common everywhere round
Epping' and it appeared (under the name S. vulgatum) on F. A. Walker's (1897) list for
Wanstead Park. W. H. Harwood (1903) said it was 'abundant in many places about
Colchester' and probably occurred 'freely throughout the County'. For Epping Forest. S.
striolatum appeared regularly on the local lists provided by F. W. and H. Campion
(1903-13). E. E. Syms (1929), C. O. Hammond (unpublished. 1923-1945) and E. B.
Pinniger (1933). Other localities given in the literature include: Benfleet (Pinniger. 1937;
Hammond, no date) and Hatfield Forest (D. A. Ashwell, specimens in B.M. (N.H.)
collected in 1940 and 1941; B. T. Ward, a specimen in Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge
Museum, dated 1949). but the species has undoubtedly always been widespread and
common in Essex.
Since 1980, S. striolatum has been recorded from fifty-five (out of a possible fifty-
seven) 10 km. squares throughout Essex, and has been observed as a breeding species in
a range of habitats from coastal borrow dykes, ponds and ditches to flooded pits and
ornamental lakes. As with most species of Odonata. S. striolatum appears to be more
local in the north-west of the county.
Sympetrum vulgatum (Linnaeus. 1758) Vagrant Darter
There have been only eight fully authenticated sightings of this very rare migrant
species in Britain - though, owing to its close similarity to Sympetrum striolatum it could
well be more frequent than currently supposed. It can be distinguished from S.
striolatum only by close examination. Both species have a horizontal black line on the
face, at the base of the frons (or forehead). This line is continued downwards along the
edge of the eyes (like a 'Zapata' moustache) in S. vulgatum, but ends abruptly in S.
striolatum (see Appendix C). Hammond (1983. p.54) suggests that the species is best
searched for in company with other Sympetrum species. So far. the species has been
recorded only once in Essex, by F. W. Campion and K. J. Morton (Campion and
Campion. 1906). when one male was seen in Epping Forest on 4.9.1906.
Sympetrum flaveolum Linnaeus. (1758) Yellow-winged Darter
Sympetrum flaveolum is a rare, but fairly regular migrant to the British Isles from the
Mediterranean area. There is evidence that it may very occasionally be able to breed
here. In general appearance it is rather similar to Sympetrum striolatum, but has a
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