In his classic book 'The Natural History of Selborne', Gilbert White explained the disappearance of the Swallows in the Winter, by explaining that they spent the Winter hibernating at the bottom of ponds. 225 years on, it is all a bit far fetching as an explanation. But he was a pioneering amateur naturalist and it fitted the facts as he saw them. They regularly were seen touching the water (actually drinking in flight) & they disappeared in the Winter. As a homage to Gilbert White, this blog can shake the scientific world & explain where Migrant Hawkers come from. Up to now the popular theory is they are migrants to the UK & some breed. This 'breeding' can now be confirmed as I have confirmed photos of their breeding in the UK. As I watched them, the sun melted their connection to their mother Migrant Hawker Tree & they flew off for their first time. It is surprising this behaviour doesn't appear to have been documented before, but I cannot find evidence when I looked on the font of all wisdom & knowledge: the Internet.
Migrant Hawkers Tree: With 2 males & 1 female fully grown Migrant Hawkers. Looks like it will be a good year next year, given the number of 'eggs'
Migrant Hawker: Male. Note, the prominent yellow triangle on segment 2 of the abdomen. Also, there is only a pair of short pale marks on the top of the thorax. Note, the final segments have 2 spots on each segment, whereas the Southern Hawker has a broad blue band
Migrant Hawker: Female. They have the same markings as the male, but are yellow or brown, instead of blue