A common dragonfly of canals, marshes, reedbeds and lakes, the brown hawker can be seen patrolling the water or 'hawking' through woodland rides. It is easily distinguished by its chocolate-brown body.
The brown hawker is a large hawker dragonfly that is on the wing from the end of June through to September. It is a common dragonfly of well-vegetated canals, marshes and reedbeds, as well as lakes and flooded gravel pits. It can be spotted patrolling a regular hunting territory, which it will defend aggressively against intruders. It can be found some distance from its breeding grounds, hawking woodland rides late into the evening. Hawkers are the largest and fastest flying dragonflies; they catch their insect-prey mid-air and can hover or fly backwards.
How to identify
Even in flight, the brown hawker can be easily recognised by its entirely chocolate-brown body and tiny yellow-and-blue markings. The wings are golden-orange in colour and the male has a noticeable 'waisted' appearance.
Distribution
Found in England, Northern Ireland and parts of Wales.
Did you know?
The larvae of dragonflies eat aquatic insects, tadpoles and small fish.
