After a couple of anonymous sightings on iRecord we now have proof that Southern Hawker is definitely on the wing. Jan Shields has found the first Southern Hawker exuvia on her pond for this year – identifiable by the shape and length of the mask shown below left.
Elsewhere Stephen Barlow has sent in the first photographs of Common Darter. This teneral male (below right) will ‘redden’ as it matures but the diagnostic yellow stripe on the black legs is clearly visible already and one of the most useful ways to split this species from Ruddy Darter which has solid black legs.
