A dragonfly so rare it is found in just ten locations across the country has been spotted near Maldon for the first time in more than 40 years.
Eagle-eyed park ranger Nigel Wood, senior ranger at Flitch Way Country Park, whose headquarters is at Rayne, near Braintree, was close to the Blackwater Trail at Elms Farm Park when he spotted the scarce chaser.
Experts have been left green with envy on learning about the discovery of the creature, which has a golden brown body and a black diamondback line along its abdomen.
Mr Wood said that according to local field guides, this particular dragonfly has not been seen in this part of Essex for more than four decades and is so rare it is a Red Data Book Species meaning it is threatened with extinction.
Published Tuesday, June 17, 2003
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