This is a common and easily identified hawker since both sexes have wings tinged with amber-brown, noticeable even in flight. It has lemon-yellow stripes on the thorax and spots - sky-blue in the male, yellow in the female - down the side of the abdomen.
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Female Photo: David Sadler
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Female ovipositing Photo: Simon Linington
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Female Photo: Simon Linington
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Female ovipositing Photo: David Sadler
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Male Photo: David Sadler
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Male Photo: David Sadler
National status
Generally common and widespread, though absent from Scotland and some parts of the southwest.
Status in Sussex
More common towards the east of Sussex. Much more local in West Sussex, apart from a strong presence on the Arun. Absent from much of the far west of Sussex and the coastal strip immediately east of the Arun. The general distribution pattern does not appear to have changed much over the years.
Distribution at 1km scale
Historical records
This species appears to have always been more common in East than West Sussex. Interestingly, Dannreuther (1939, 1945) claimed that the first county record was by W. Markwick on 29 July 1802 at Denne Park, Horsham. In 1945 Dannreuther listed only one other site in West Sussex. Chelmick (1979) considered this species the most common Aeshna in the High Weald.
Flight times
Late June - early October.
Phenology (adult)
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Brown Hawker habitat at Reed and fen at Pevensey Photo: Fran Southgate
Habitat
Large and well-vegetated lakes and ponds, occasionally slow-moving water such as canals.
Conservation
It readily colonises gravel pits, canals and other sites abandoned by industry and then flooded or created as wetland habitat. It can tolerate the residual pollution of many ex-industrial sites.
Similar species
There should be no difficulty in identification of this species given its uniquely chocolate-coloured appearance with brown wings.
This is a common and easily identified hawker since both sexes have wings tinged with amber-brown, noticeable even in flight. It has lemon-yellow stripes on the thorax and spots - sky-blue in the male, yellow in the female - down the side of the abdomen.
1 / 6
Female Photo: David Sadler
2 / 6
Female ovipositing Photo: Simon Linington
3 / 6
Female Photo: Simon Linington
4 / 6
Female ovipositing Photo: David Sadler
5 / 6
Male Photo: David Sadler
6 / 6
Male Photo: David Sadler
National status
Generally common and widespread, though absent from Scotland and some parts of the southwest.
Status in Sussex
More common towards the east of Sussex. Much more local in West Sussex, apart from a strong presence on the Arun. Absent from much of the far west of Sussex and the coastal strip immediately east of the Arun. The general distribution pattern does not appear to have changed much over the years.
Distribution at 1km scale
Historical records
This species appears to have always been more common in East than West Sussex. Interestingly, Dannreuther (1939, 1945) claimed that the first county record was by W. Markwick on 29 July 1802 at Denne Park, Horsham. In 1945 Dannreuther listed only one other site in West Sussex. Chelmick (1979) considered this species the most common Aeshna in the High Weald.
Flight times
Late June - early October.
Phenology (adult)
1 / 1
Brown Hawker habitat at Reed and fen at Pevensey Photo: Fran Southgate
Habitat
Large and well-vegetated lakes and ponds, occasionally slow-moving water such as canals.
Conservation
It readily colonises gravel pits, canals and other sites abandoned by industry and then flooded or created as wetland habitat. It can tolerate the residual pollution of many ex-industrial sites.
Similar species
There should be no difficulty in identification of this species given its uniquely chocolate-coloured appearance with brown wings.
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