Prior to 2025, Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) had occurred in Monmouthshire at just a single site, Goldcliff lagoons, in two years, 2000 and 2002. In each of these years two individuals were seen.

1. Goldcliff lagoons, two, 17 July 2000, found by Adam Rowlands
2. Goldcliff lagoons, two, 29 July 2002, found by Kevin Dupé

Adam has written up his discovery of the species at this site here, and Kevin has written up his confirmation of its continued presence two years later here.

Afetr a two-decade gap, Mike Powell found a single male Red-veined Darter at Wentwood reservoir on 12 July 2025, and Lee Gregory visited the following day to find no fewer than six individuals. Mike and Lee’s accounts of their finds can be read here.

Red-veined Darter is a widespread and common insect across southern Europe, Africa and Asia. Migration often occurs northwards outside these areas, and is some years it can occur in Britain in good numbers; breeding has occurred as many sites elsewhere in Britain, in some cases leading to the dragonfly becoming established for several years in succession.