One more just for luck! Well 2 actually, seen by Stephen Barlow at Whixall Moss on 21st July chasing off an Emperor Dragonfly and reportedly being far more effective at this than Common Hawkers. The photo below left shows some wing damage from wear and tear but the few individuals that are left are clearly still holding territory when and where possible.
Stephen’s photo of a Common Hawker is lovely to see as this species is known to be ‘relentless on the wing’ and is therefore a tricky subject for photos. The paired blue spots extending down the abdomen do not merge on segments 9 & 10 to form a continuous band of colour as seen in Southern Hawker
