Species Name: Norfolk Hawker - Aeshna isosceles

How to recognise

There are two brown-bodied hawker dragonflies found in Britain, the Norfolk hawker and the brown hawker. The Norfolk hawker can be differentiated from the brown hawker by its clear wings (golden brown in brown hawker), green eyes and a yellow triangle shape on the second segment of the dragonfly’s body (which gives the dragonfly its latin name).

Where to see

The Norfolk hawker is a resident of the Norfolk Broads and north-east Suffolk. In Britain, it tends to favour slow-flowing dykes and ditches where water soldier plants grow. The Norfolk hawker may be seen soaring above reed-fringed dykes hunting other insects or sitting perched on vegetation at NWT Hickling Broad and NWT Upton Broad and Marshes.

When to see

In late May and June, mature dragonfly larvae (approximately 2 years old) climb out of the water onto an aquatic plant at night, where they emerge from their skin as adult dragonflies. Newly-emerged hawker dragonflies wait till early morning to fly off to wooded areas to feed. The adults reach sexual maturity after 2-3 weeks. The fight period of the Norfolk hawker usually finishes in mid-July. 

Conservation status in Norfolk

The Norfolk hawker, which has its stronghold in Norfolk, is a nationally rare dragonfly it is classified as endangered and is fully protected by law.

Norfolk Hawkers are now listed on the UK and Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan's

How to help

Create your own wetland habitat. Build a pond in your garden. You may not attract Norfolk hawkers but you will help other dragonfly species.  Stock your pond with native plants, ensuring you have a good variety of submerged and marginal plants.

Did you know?

Dragonflies are able to fly at speeds of up to 36km an hour, move their wings approximately 30 times a second and fly forwards, sideways and backwards.

Finding out more

British Dragonfly Society

Norfolk Dragons

Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society

Go back