Common Hawker (Aeshna juncea)
female, Drumburgh Moss SSSI, Solway Firth, CumbriaA large, strikingly-marked dragonfly, the Common Hawker is mainly a species of western Britain, where it is a resident of moorland and heathland. It is the only widespread Aeshna species in Scotland. Like the other large hawkers, it is most abundant in late summer.
The markings of the Common Hawker are similar to those of the Migrant Hawker, which is slightly smaller, and the easiest way to identify the Common Hawker is by the yellow costa (vein) along the leading edge of the forewings.
The markings of the Common Hawker are similar to those of the Migrant Hawker, which is slightly smaller, and the easiest way to identify the Common Hawker is by the yellow costa (vein) along the leading edge of the forewings.
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)
male, Bernwood Forest, Northamptonshire
This bold and beautiful dragonfly is a common sight in late summer, when it wanders far from water in search of prey. Despite its common name, it is fairly common throughout England and Wales and can also be seen in parts of Scotland.
Like other Aeshna species, the patterning is quite striking on the Southern Hawker, with a bold mix of stripes and spots. The key feature to identify this species is that the end of the abdomen has solid blue bars instead of spots, as well as bold yellow spots on the front of the thorax. Males have a blackground colour and females are dark brown.
Like other Aeshna species, the patterning is quite striking on the Southern Hawker, with a bold mix of stripes and spots. The key feature to identify this species is that the end of the abdomen has solid blue bars instead of spots, as well as bold yellow spots on the front of the thorax. Males have a blackground colour and females are dark brown.
Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis)
female ovipositing, Cupola Pond, Derbyshire
Dovedale, Derbyshire
As its scientific names suggests, this is a large dragonfly, and by a small margin the largest Aeshna species in Britain. Its combination of a brown body and yellow-brown tinted wings is unique among British dragonflies and means this insect cannot be mistaken for any other. Unlike most Aeshna species, the males and females are very similar in appearance, with males having slightly more blue spotting.
The Brown Hawker is most common in the southern half of England, with sparser populations in Wales and northern England.
The Brown Hawker is most common in the southern half of England, with sparser populations in Wales and northern England.
Golden-ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii)
Crockford Stream, New Forest, Hampshire
Very much a dragonfly of western Britain, this is also Britain's longest species. It makes an impressive sight whether in flight or at rest, when it can be approached quite closely.
In appearance, this insect is unmistakable in Britain - no other dragonfly has a two-tone black and yellow striped pattern.
The Golden-ringed Dragonfly is common around heathland and moorland streams and is one of the more commonly-seen dragonflies in the Scottish Highlands in late summer. It is largely absent from eastern England, although one of its disjunct populations lives near me in north Derbyshire.
Morden Bog NR, Dorset
In appearance, this insect is unmistakable in Britain - no other dragonfly has a two-tone black and yellow striped pattern.
The Golden-ringed Dragonfly is common around heathland and moorland streams and is one of the more commonly-seen dragonflies in the Scottish Highlands in late summer. It is largely absent from eastern England, although one of its disjunct populations lives near me in north Derbyshire.
Morden Bog NR, Dorset
Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea)
Arne RSPB Reserve, Dorset
I've included this horrific photo as a record of my only encounter with this very special dragonfly, and although it lacks any aesthetic appeal, the photo does show how infuriating the Downy Emerald is to try and photograph - I don't know how long I waited in vain for it to perch on vegetation, rather than incessantly cross this heathland pond, or hover tantalisingly for a second or two, at Arne.
The Downy Emerald is very much a heathland specialist in southern Britain but also occurs at scattered sites as far north as western Scotland.
The Downy Emerald is very much a heathland specialist in southern Britain but also occurs at scattered sites as far north as western Scotland.
Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata)
Cupola Pond, Derbyshire
Arne RSPB Reserve, Dorset
A common, easily-seen medium-sized dragonfly of the first half of summer, the Four-spotted Chaser is resident across most of Britain. The four spots (two on each wing) make it very easy to recognise. It is a dragonfly of still water, and is very common around larger ponds and lakes.
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)
Pleasley Pits Country Park, Derbyshire
The black-tipped, narrow abdomen identifies this widespread dragonfly. It favours open sites with plenty of bare ground on which to bask (as shown here). This means it is commonly-seen around lake and reservoir margins, and is not a species of well-vegetated ponds or lakes.
The Black-tailed Skimmer is widespread in the southern half of England, with patchy populations elsewhere.
The Black-tailed Skimmer is widespread in the southern half of England, with patchy populations elsewhere.
Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens)
Hartland Moor NNR, Dorset
female, Arne RSPB Reserve, Dorset
Hants
The second of Britain's Orthetrum species, this dragonfly is very much a habitat specialist, restricted to humid, lowland heaths. Here it is often the most conspicuous dragonfly. It resembles the Black-tailed Skimmer but has a plain blue abdomen (in the males) and the pterostigma is orange.
Females are golden yellow-brown with thin black bands.
Females are golden yellow-brown with thin black bands.
Black Darter (Sympetrum danae)
Cupola Pond, Eastern Moors, Derbyshire
Unlike most of our British species, this dragonfly is most widespread and common in the north. It is a characteristic late summer species of moorland and bogs. It is an engaging species to watch, often allowing a very close approach when basking on stone walls.
Despite its common name, females are yellow, but with extensive black markings underneath. Males are almost completely black, with a very hairy thorax.
This species is notable as Britain's smallest true dragonfly species.
Despite its common name, females are yellow, but with extensive black markings underneath. Males are almost completely black, with a very hairy thorax.
This species is notable as Britain's smallest true dragonfly species.
Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
females, Arnside Knott NR, Cumbria
female, Arne RSPB Reserve, Dorset
newly-emerged adult, New Forest, Hampshire
The Common Darter is the most widespread Sympetrum species in Britain, and the only one common in the north. It closely resembles its more localised cousins,especially the Ruddy Darter (S.sanguineum), an close inspection is sometimes needed - the Common Darter has yellow stripes on its legs and a strongly-marked thorax.
Like all Sympetrum species, the females are differently-coloured. Common Darter females are yellow-brown, but still retain the striped legs that help separate it from S.sanguineum.
Like all Sympetrum species, the females are differently-coloured. Common Darter females are yellow-brown, but still retain the striped legs that help separate it from S.sanguineum.
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum)
male, Thompson Common NR, Norfolk
As mentioned above, this attractive dragonfly of high summer is conspicuous in its all over red colour (with no pale stripes on side of the thorax) and completely black legs, whcih is clearly seen in both of these photos.