Broad bodied chaser

[GFM]

Yesterday I saw a male (blue)Broad bodied chaser with 2 females mating around a new pond in Wakefield. I have never seen these fantastic dragonflies before and they were very distinctive, is this a rare sighting or are they common in places?

[RoyW]

It's probably not that unusual now because they have been spreading north. Not too many years ago it would most likely would have been a rare sighting for the area though. They are much more common further south. The local recorder may be interested in the record - contact details (and information about Yorkshire dragonflies) can be found on this site - the link should take you to B-b Chaser:
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa Yorkshire Branch of the British Dragonfly Society

[stigofthedump]

A first for me yesterday too. Never saw them last year, same pond. Have submitted the record.
One female was quartering the water surface and constantly dipping her abdomen in the water, in flight. Seemed very random, thoughts?

Vince