Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis)

OTHER NAMES: Hairy Dragonfly, Spring Hawker, Amber-winged Hawker

Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) grandis ("large")

Adult Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) at Peterborough - Summer 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 73mm  /  Wingspan: 102mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Probably just about the easiest British Dragonfly to identify in the field - even in flight its rust-bronze wings are distinctive, along with its similarly coloured body and blue or lime green spots.  Found throughout much of Europe, and much of England in particular, I have found this a fairly easy species to see, often patrolling forest ridings, but they seem to be even more flighty than most dragonflies, and thus harder to photograph without something between you and them.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington, Brigstock and Wellingborough.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)

OTHER NAMES: Blue Hawker
Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) cyanea ("cyan")

Adult Southern Hawker Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) at Geddington, Northants - August 2009

Featured Subspecies: ?
Length: 70mm  /  Wingspan: 85-110mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Southern Hawkers are one of the larger common species of dragonfly found in the UK, they are found over slow moving or still water and can often be found in woodland, as with this one.  While common over much of Europe, the North African population is considered Endangered.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
.