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Migrant Hawker |
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The Migrant Hawker can be observed between late July and early November. It is found throughout England and Wales and in southern Ireland. Its distribution currently favours the south ad east of the UK. The mature male has blue spots on the largely brown side and upper abdomen with a prominent blue band on the second abdominal segment and broad yellow stripes on the side of the thorax. The upper half of the eyes are blue and the frons and mouth are yellow. The female has similar markings entirely in yellow on a predominantly brown thorax and abdomen. The female abdomen is largely straight while the males is pinched below the second abdominal segment. Colouring of the abdominal spots and bands in the immature male and female tends towards a pale lilac. The Migrant Hawker is most easily confused with the Common Hawker, but differs in having a prominent yellow V at the top of the second abdominal segment.
This species can often be seen in large numbers at treetop level in woodland glades or along hedgerows near still or slow-moving water. Mature males tend to patrol low over water margins and occasionally hover when looking for females to mate with. Males are aggressive on patrol and will chase potential mates vigorously.
Until the 1940s this was an uncommon migrant from southern Europe, but it is now expanding its range throughout the UK very rapidly and breeding in many parts of England and the Welsh borders. It was first recorded in Montgomeryshire in 2004.
Immature male Migrant Hawker (click to enlarge)
Migrant Hawker - in tandem (left) and mating wheel (right) Click to enlarge
Left and Right - Male Migrant Hawker (click to enlarge)
Left - Male and female Migrant Hawker in mating wheel. Right - Male Migrant Hawker
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