Photos

The Brown Hawker - Aeshna grandis, can be very common but seldom settles for long. Here are a few photos that I have managed to take

• 
  Female, well away from water in Kempston
• 
  Female, Felmersham NR
• 
  Female ovipositing at Felmersham NR
• 
  Male, River Great Ouse, Kempston Church End
• 
  Male, River Great Ouse, Kempston Church End.
  This picture shows the enormous eyes, used to great effect in twilight when brown hawkers often hunt
• 
  Female, Felmersham NR

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Main features

Large dragonfly with a predominantly brown body and a definite brown tint to the wings. Males have blue spots along the side of the abdomen, females pale yellow. Both feature a yellow striped thorax.

Habitat

Likes slow rivers and still waters, with logs and roots for ovipositing. Often seen hawking up and down clearings in woods and across meadows.

Where to see

Common throughout the county, abundant at Felmersham NR, and along the River Great Ouse.

Visible from early June to late October.