Migrant Hawker dragonfly

Migrant Hawker dragonfly - Taken on an Olympus SP800UZ

The Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) is one of the smaller species of hawker dragonflies. It can be found away from water but for breeding it prefers still or slow-flowing water and can tolerate brackish sites. The flight period is from July to the end of October. Migrant hawkers occur in North Africa, southern and central Europe to the Baltic region, and across Asia as far as China.

It has been spreading northwards in the last 50 years, and as a migratory species it can occur outside its normal range. It breeds in lakes and ponds and is tolerant of brackish water. It is also found away from water hawking high amongst trees and bushes, but often resting low on vegetation.

Migrant hawkers can be seen on the wing in all months of the year but most commonly from July to Late October or early November. After emergence, the immature adults fly away from water and spends their time feeding and becoming sexually mature. They are not territorial and they are often seen feeding or resting in groups, occasionally forming large feeding swarms.