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Brown Hawker |
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Abundance Ranking: 69C Key Sites: Any of the Nene Valley gravel pits. The Brown Hawker is the most widely distributed Hawker in the county. It favours still water bodies and the Nene Valley gravel pits are typical sites, although it breeds on the River Ise and can be seen on backwater stretches of the River Nene, as well as areas of the River Tove . Spotting: The Brown Hawker is second only in size to the Emperor, and is unlikely to be confused with any other Hawker due to its colouration. It is very territorial and will fight off Emperors where their territories overlap--this can be quite a spectacular sight. Consequently, few are seen at any one site as there is intense competition for territory with other species. The yellow wings of the Brown Hawker are distinctive and help identify it among other Hawkers in flight. Females and males are nearly identical and will be very difficult to distinguish in flight. Males tend to have more obvious blue spots down the abdomen, and exhibit a nibbed waist--this is the easiest way to distinguish them. County Status: Not threatened, as habitat requirements are wide. |
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Female Oviposting, Ditchford Lakes, July 2006 |
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Aeshna grandis |
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Male, River Ise, July 2006 |
