Dragonfly for id

[nyoni-pete]

Please could you help with the id of these dragonflies. I think that they may be the Black Darter Sympetrum danae, but I'm not sure if they are dark/black enough. Photographed at Whisby NR, Lincs in Sept 2009
Thanks, Pete

[aeshna5]

Common Darter- the 2nd photo does show some dull red on the abdomen, which it never does in Black Darter.

[RoyW]

Yes, Common Darters.
These are 'old' females. Although they are bright yellow when they first emerge, females gradually become darker brown, or sometimes grey, as they age. They also often start to show some of the red colouring more typically associated with males.

[nyoni-pete]

Aeshna and Roy, Thanks for your quick id. I saw and photographed male Common darters at Whisby and this is obviously a trap for beginners. Pete