A hugely significant (for me) sighting at Pond Number 5, where I have rarely seen Dragonflies but they must be there. A 12 degree day late in the year and this female ovipositing. Roll over image to see a context shot. The Southern Hawker female never gets her abdomen wet when ovipositing. This image seems to contradict that but the context image confirms she is sat on a solid blanket of fallen reeds: October 16th. 2022
Same Dragonfly as above and seen from the rear for the benefit of enthusiasts as this puts species identity beyond doubt. The last two pairs of green dots are joined to form a band. Diagnostic. Absolutely delighted with this sighting: October 16th. 2022.
Managed to get into a useful position to video the Dragonfly above, before it moved on. Fortunately it remained in one place for a while. They usually move to different positions to spread their offspring. Well pleased with that opportunity at Pond number 5: October 16th. 2022
This is hugely important and significant. It confirms this species ovipositing at Pond Number Two and cannot be other than the Southern Hawker using different characteristics. Not least the two bands encircling the end of the abdomen and the absence of yellow costa (leading wing edge). This now allows me to enter 'Thereabouts' data in support, to illustrate more about the species. This pond is so small and there are no nearby features (trees or bushes) where they might mate or rest. The Southern Hawker couples at rest like the Common Hawker. Others mate on the wing. The Southern Hawker never oviposits directly into water. No idea why. Perfect: September 1st.
As stated above the Southern Hawker never (ever) gets her abdomen wet when ovipositing, They prefer a rock but if pushed will cling to vertical vegetation on the bank. This one landed on my boot when I stood in the shallows. I had plenty of time to shoot and fortunately carry two cameras, one I can use at close quarters. Question is, why has this species alone evolved this way. It is probably the most common large Dragonfly in areas where I operate, over a wide range. Perhaps its strategy is more successful: July 22nd.
A resting female: August 18th.
Note this is ovipositing next to my pond, rather than in my pond. The Southern never gets her abdomen wet for unknown reasons. I assume the larvae hatch and crawl into the nearest water source. Got lucky on the day. The way it goes: September 26th.
A teneral (immature) which I spotted on my own pond while I was remodelling my rear garden. Grabbed my kit, fired off one shot then it took off. One minute later and I would never have seen it. It will have flown into a tree to hide while it fully develops. The exuvia is on the adjacent stem: June 22nd. 2023
Late in the year at Pond Number 2, another female ovipositing. Saw a few on a warm day the week before but could not stop to explore as I was working with a group of people new to the area and could not stay: September 23rd. 2023
This male at nearby Buxton Lightwood: July 2nd. 2025
This and the next the same Teneral (immature) specimen at Buxton Lightwood: July 25th. 2025
