Photos

A few Southern Hawker photos taken by myself, along with photos contributed by Rory Morrisey

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  A mature male, basking in the sunshine at Felmersham NR.
  Southern Hawkers are tireless fliers, but do have to rest from time to time, but it can be a long wait!
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  A mature male, basking in the sunshine at Felmersham NR.
  This macro photograph was taken using flash.
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  This photo shows the intricacies of the veins in the wing very well
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  Male in profile
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  Male at Felmersham NR.
  Male basking in the late afternoon sun.
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  Female, at Marston Thrift.
  Notice how the abdomen in the female is broader than the male.
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  Female at Felmersham NR.
  The female's abdomen is thicker than the male, and the colours are less vivid.

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  Female at Felmersham NR.
  Southern Hawkers are tireless fliers, but they do rest for extended periods if you are lucky enough to find them.
• 
  Immature male, Linslade Woods - Photograph kindly donated by Rory Morrisey
  On this particular male you can see that left hind wing is damaged, almost certainly during emergence.
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  Female ovipositing, Alwins Field - Photograph kindly donated by Rory Morrisey
• 
  Female ovipositing, Alwins Field - Photograph kindly donated by Rory Morrisey

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Main features

Classification:

Odonata
	Anisoptera			True dragonflies
		Aeshnidae		Hawkers

Large colourful dragonfly, with a prominent apple green thorax. The male has mostly green spots along the upper surface of abdomen, with blue spots on the side, and also the upper side of S8, 9 & 10.

The female is similar to the male, with green spots rather than blue. The female might be confused with female Migrant Hawker - Aeshna Mixta, but Southern Hawkers are rather bigger, and have more prominent antehumeral stripes

Often flies alone, and is quite curious of people, will often come to investigate.

Habitat

Prefers woodland pools, ponds and lakes with plenty of surrounding trees and hedges. Often seen late in the day away from water hawking along clearings in search of food. Also a common visitor to garden ponds.

Where to see

Widespread around the county, but not usually seen in large numbers. I've mostly encountered them in wooded areas at Felmersham NR and Marston Thrift.

Visible from mid June to October