Migrants
The latest addition to our dragonfly list this year was a migrant hawker, bringing the total to 12 species in the garden this year - our highest annual total. Distant hawker dragonflies can be difficult to tell apart sometimes, but this one is smaller than the other species, and often settles obligingly on vegetation. This one was hanging in the shade, possibly because it was such a warm day today - 30 C.
Another useful identification feature, on settled insects, is the yellow golf tee shaped mark, at the top of the abdomen, just below the wings.
This species used to be rare in Britain, occasionally coming over the English Channel in large numbers. In recent decades it has become well established in the country, and over the past few years has been our commonest dragonfly.
Another useful identification feature, on settled insects, is the yellow golf tee shaped mark, at the top of the abdomen, just below the wings.
This species used to be rare in Britain, occasionally coming over the English Channel in large numbers. In recent decades it has become well established in the country, and over the past few years has been our commonest dragonfly.