Southern & Migrant Hawkers

At this time of year, Southern & Migrant Hawkers begin to dominate the skies over their respective habitats. Migrant Hawkers will be seen pretty much anywhere, while Southern Hawkers are more choose, preferring small ponds. There is a strong colony at the Whitestones ponds Twywell Hills & Dales, where I recorded 5 males and an ovipositing female on 28 August. I am desperate to get a good side-on in flight shot of a Southern Hawker but am happy with this head-on shot taken at Twywell. I was also lucky enough to find this male perched up when the clouds passed over the sun.

Southern Hawker

Southern Hawker

At Ditchford today (31 August) there were around 100 Migrant Hawkers including several pairs in cop. Great opportunities for in flight shots too.

Small Red-eyed Damselflies and Broad-bodied Chasers

Small Red-eyed Damselflies are now about, with good numbers at their usual sites of Higham Ferrers Pocket Park and Irthlingborough Pits. Males and ovipositing pairs were present on 22 August.

At Twywell, a single male Broad-bodied Chaser was present with very tatty wings. He flitted around the pond, not able to fly too far or too fast - a pale imitation of the males here 3 weeks ago. This is the latest date recorded in Northants so far. Also present were 5 Southern Hawkers, 1 Brown Hawker and several Common and Ruddy Darters as well ovipositing Emerald Damselflies.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

Common Darter

Broad-bodied Chaser

Migrant Hawkers, Common Darters and Chasers

As we enter August, many traditionally spring species are still around. The delayed spring seems to have shifted the flight seasons a bit. I saw Scarce Chaser on the Nene at Wadenhoe today, although it was too windy for any shots. Scarce Chasers do survive into August with Terry Wood recording one around the 4th last year, but this is a personal first for me though.  As were the Broad-bodied Chasers at Twywell on the 1st, including this old pruinescent female ovipositing.

Common Darters are increasing in numbers and the first records of Migrant Hawkers have been received. First of the year goes to Mark Piper with a male at Brampton Wood on 28 July. Other records have been received from Stuart Page on the River Ise and Tony Vials at Summer Leys and Terry Wood near the Nene at Polebrook on 1 August. Still no records of Small Red-eyed Damselflies though.

Pruinescent female Broad-bodied Chaser ovipositing

Male Broad-bodied Chaser - still in good condition

Male Common Darter