Dragonfly territorial behaviour

[Billabong Karen]

I was lucky enough over the weekend to have a couple of hours to spend in the sunshine by my garden pond, and was thrilled to watch the aerial manouvering of a (I think) male Southern Hawker dragonfly. Beautiful - and determined to chase any other dragonflies away, he seemed very territorial, even chasing away wasps and hornets, and on a couple of occasions even try to chase off the shuttlecock from a badminton game!!

Eventually another Hawker, presumably this time a female, arrived and they mated, flying high into the branches of a nearby tree. I did not witness any egg laying though, but am hopeful that there will be dragonfly nymphs in the pond next summer.

I keep saying - better than tv any day!! Though my children think I am bonkers.

Karen

[Wild-Woman]

Southern Hawkers are very confiding dragonflies and will often come and investigate you. Sometimes they will even 'buzz' you.
Let the kids think you're bonkers....they'll come round to your way of thinking. Mine did!

[Billabong Karen]

OK, so yesterday the female Hawker was seen laying eggs on the edge of the pond! Big excitement - and even my daughter was fascinated!

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Billabong Karen

OK, so yesterday the female Hawker was seen laying eggs on the edge of the pond! Big excitement - and even my daughter was fascinated!

That's great! It's nice when you hear of gardens helping the population of wildlife grow

Keep us posted, and take some pics!

Nige

[Billabong Karen]

Thank you Nige, I am delighted as well. I tried to take some photos but my little digital camera was not up to the job... but I will borrow a better camera soon and post some photos. I really like the fact that gardens can be a small wildlife haven.