One of the last hawkers to be seen in the New Forest, with the greatest prevalence in early September. Males usually patrol a stretch of water or bog at a low height (often 1 foot above the waters surface). Males very rarely perch, and when they do it is often high up in the tree tops away from the photographers reach!
Females however will regularly perch and settle to lay eggs (ovipositing). Curiously, the females seem to lay eggs in dirt and rotten wood on the periphery of a pond and not directly into pond foliage. Egg laying occurs usually under the shelter of bank vegetation away from predators.
Southern Hawkers can be found late in the season, often ‘hawking’ in the late afternoon sun in close proximity to woodland ponds. Holmsley wood in the New Forest is a prime location to spot them.
locations
media gallery
Very common in wooded areas toward the end of the season. The small pond near the entrance to Holmsley wood in the New Forest is a likely spot to find them in early September..
seasonal appearance
distinguishing features
Males are a vivid green colour, with the last two segments of the abdomen changing to a blue colour. The males also have a slightly thinner waistline than their female counterparts. Females are largely green in colour (see photographs) with a slightly broader build. The prominent triangle on the second segment of the abdomen is similar to that of the Migrant Hawker, yet more greenish in tint.
