Migrant or Southern Migrant Hawker, Essex (1 Viewer)

[neil78]

Photos taken by a friend at Bowers Marsh, Essex this morning. They assumed Migrant, but I'm leaning towards SMH - anyone able to confirm either way please..?





Edit: Not sure what's happening with these photos - link to originals below:

http://www.sognet.org.uk/Photos.asp

 

[Adrian_P]

Definitely Southern Migrant Hawker - a female (the fairly uniform greenish sides to the thorax is the best ID feature). It's good to see they are still around!

 

[neil78]

Thanks very much Adrian. It's one of the earlier sightings locally so hopefully there'll be several more appearing over the next few weeks.

Out of interest, is it usual for a female to show so much blue on the abdomen and eyes?

 

[Adrian_P]

I'm not sure about the eyes, but some blue at the abdomen tip isn't that unusual. Mind you, a very blue 'androchromic' female was photographed nearby a couple of years ago. Perhaps by chance our population just happens to have a decent percentage of bluer forms?

 

[neil78]

OK, thanks again.

 

[Larry Sweetland]

Great stuff. Is Bower's Marsh a new site for them?

 

[Phil Bishop]

Great stuff. Is Bower's Marsh a new site for them?

Close to RSPB West Canvey where they were present in 2012 at least