Migrant Hawkers are only just emerging so now is the time for Darters with many of the two red species, Common and Ruddy, on the wing. They like to bask in the sun and use a regular perch from which to make their hunting sorties.
Sometimes they perch with their wings drooped and tails almost vertical. This is known as the obilisk position and is thought to be an aid to heat capture!
Male Ruddy D (Christine McLoughlin)
Ruddy D's (Basil Thornton)
Common Darter - note the yellow thorax side panels and dark legs with white stripes.... (Basil Thornton)
6-8-13
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer