Terrible image but a good record. Did not expect to see this female ovipositing at pond number five (see route two). Dim and dismal under that tree canopy over the turbid water, which offers a poor photography backdrop. Still plenty of water despite the drought. Too protected under there. Note the distinctive and diagnostic yellow costa on the wing edge. Also the similar Southern Hawker never ever oviposits directly into water: August 31st. 2022.
A male in an improved setting: August 1st. 2022
Male: June 21st. 2022
Why they call this common I do not know because it is not. I call it the Moorland Hawker because that is where I ordinarily see it. That said, this is a hugely important - to me - find in my archives. It is a female Common Hawker as is the next image but I can be 100% certain this is at Pond Number Two. The next one I can be 100% certain it is in the Goyt Valley but could in theory be one of three ponds, including Pond Number Three (now not accessible). Note well the bright yellow costa (wing leading edge) which is diagnostic of the species, both male and female. I can also tell by the abdomen markings but more on that elsewhere. Now I have established the species in the Goyt Valley I can introduced other more easily digested images and video from my 'Thereabouts' collection.
July 17th.
Not a very pretty shot of a female ovipositing but it is the real deal, a genuine Goyt Valley specimen. Can only be confused with the Southern Hawker but the female Southern Hawker never (ever) oviposits directly into water, always well above, dropping her eggs. I am well pleased finding this as I did not remember it. I have many excellent 'Thereabouts' shots as well, including video: August 23rd.
This one landed in a bad place and was pulled under the water. A pond weed that acts like quicksand to Dragonflies. I was in time to net her and painstakingly clean her up without pulling a wing off etc. A blow dry next: August 1st.
Careful blow dry before transferring her to a suitable perch so she can resume ovipositing: August 1st.
Note carefully the end of the abdomen. In the similar Southern Hawker species, the last two pairs of dots are actually joined continuously to form two distinct yellow bands (no gaps) around the abdomen. That is diagnostic: August 1st.
