The first record of Migrant Hawker has come in from Selattyn near Oswestry. I would post the photo but sadly I cannot contact the recorder as the record has come in via iNat. Instead I’ve posted a fabulous photo of Banded Demoiselle seen by Harry Beaman at The Mere, Ellesmere along with continued sightings of Red-veined Darter. Harry’s photo of the latter really illustrates well the blue in the lower half of the eye and the light coloured, but heavily outlined pterostigma. Harry also saw a female Common Hawker (below right) ovipositing west of Ellesmere into Water Soldier. All records of Common Hawker are important as this species is declining. If you’re lucky enough to see a relatively stationary one like this the yellow costa and lack of a ‘golf tee shape’ on segment 2 of the abdomen will help distinguish it from Migrant Hawker.
