Only found in a few places in the New Forest, a trip into South East Dorset is recommended for a good chance to catch sight of the Brown Hawker.
Unlike its other Hawker counterparts, the Brown Hawker can easily be identified by its bland colouration and brown wing tinting which is easily discernable in mid-flight.
Brown Hawkers typically appear in large numbers in late July to Mid August, yet are scarcely seen from September onwards. The reluctance of the Male Brown Hawker to perch coupled with its prosaic camouflage makes it one of the most challenging of the Hawker family to photograph. Females however are far more approachable.
Brown Hakwers often prefer to perch on brown vegetation often the underside of dead gorse.
locations
media gallery
Can be found along the River Avon in Christchurch (Dorset), Hengistbury Head, and also in some numbers at Alder Hills Nature reserve in Poole. Less common in the New Forest although can be seen in small numbers around Linford Bottom close to Ringwood.
seasonal appearance
distinguishing features
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
From late June to mid September
Easily distinguishable even in flight, this large Hawker has distinct orange coloured wings that are quite visible against the sky backdrop. The mails also have vivid blue markings flanking their brown abdomen, with pale lemon colour stripes on the thorax.
Males also have a distinct 'nipped' waistline at the top of the abdomen, whereas the females have a consistently broad abodomen.
