Southern Hawker egglaying in pond

[LCPete]

Hi everyone very pleased today we had our first dragonfly visit our new garden pond that we made last winter
The pond was made for wildlife and has no fish
I was beginning to wonder if we was going to get any visits as the only other dragonfly that I have seen this year in the garden was a Common darter but did not see if it visited the pond or not
It was a female Southern Hawker that spend half an our at lunchtime today carefully laying eggs on a rock at the side of the pond
It was really interesting to watch I've only seen dragonflies lay in the water before but apparently this species lays on places near to the edge of the water
Piccy in the Gallery
Pete

[aeshna5]

You are lucky- Southern Hawkers are splendid insects. When I was inspecting a small pond on Wimbledon Common on Sunday a male came up to investigate us- always a thrilling moment, that I never tire of!

[LCPete]

I was really pleased, Lorraine my other half noticed her land by the pond. Seemed to try a couple of places before settling on the rock.
I do hope to see the emergence, the larvae should do well as there is no fish in the pond.
I'm keeping a look out for Brown Hawker as well, one did pay our garden brief visit last summer but the pond was too small then, they have been oviposting in our local pond. So I may get a visit from one but am pleased already with the Southern Hawker
Pete

[mrs fish]

How lovely for you , the Southern Hawkers have to be my fav Dragonflies. They are abundant around here now since the Brown Hawkers have died off.

[Wild-Woman]

We've seen good numbers of Southern Hawkers here. In one particular road that I sometimes drive through, that has low hawthorn along one side of it, there where about a dozen males guarding the entire length. Definitely one of the more curious and bold dragonflies.

[leifus]

you can almost identify it simply when it comes and investigates you... I don't know any other dragonfly that does that

[mrs fish]

I've had a Brown Hawker investigate me , it hovered right in front of me but I think it is because I had a Emperor blue top on, I also wear a Insect necklace and it was in line with that My fish also looks at my necklace

[paddy]

I got some photos 3 weeks ago of a S.Hawker laying eggs in the woodpile by the pond - i didn't realise they leave the larva to walk to the water in spring. I've got to make an effort to work out how to post pictures, as i got some real doozies this year (including Privet Hawk moths feeding on tobacco plants at night!)