 Hairy Hawker (Brachytron pratense). Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on 30th May 2017. Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on 30th May 2017. (1/200th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  Hairy Hawker (Brachytron pratense). Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on April 30th 2011. Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on April 30th 2011. (1/200th sec at f9. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  Hairy Hawker (Brachyron pratense). Female. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on May 27th 2020.. Female. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on May 27th 2020.. (1/320th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  Hairy Hawker (Brachytron pratense). Pair in cop. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on May 31st 2009. Pair in cop. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on May 31st 2009. (1/250th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) Description Wingspan: 64 - 74 mm; Body length: 54 - 63 mm The smallest British aeshnid, emerging before other species in late April and May. It has a distinctly hairy thorax, oval spots on each abdominal segment and a long, thin pterostigma. The male is dark in appearence and the spots on the abdomen are blue. It has green ante-humeral stripes. The female has yellow markings and much shorter ante-humeral stripes. It is mainly found in the south-east of England and in most of Ireland. It is increasing its range in England. It is found along ditches, canals, ponds and lakes with still or very slow-flowing water, and diverse and abundant fringing emergent vegetation. Eggs are laid into floating, decomposing vegetation and hatch after 3-4 weeks. They usually develop over two or three years. The main flight period is May and June. Males patrol territories at low level through and alongside emergent vegetation, searching for females. The female is rather secretive, only visiting water to find a mate or lay eggs. A scarce and local species. Sightings | 23-Jun-2023 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Jun-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 02-Jun-2023 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (2) | | 27-May-2023 | : | Barnwell Country Park, Northants | (3) | | 18-May-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) |
| | 10-Jun-2022 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 07-Jun-2022 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1) | | 09-May-2022 | : | Whelford Pools, Glos | (1m,1f) |
| | 15-Jun-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 15-Jun-2021 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (2m) | | 13-Jun-2021 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (5+) | | 07-Jun-2021 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1m) |
| | 29-May-2020 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 27-May-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (10+m,1f) | | 25-May-2020 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 19-May-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6) | | 09-May-2020 | : | Cholsey Marsh, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Apr-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) |
| | 16-Jun-2019 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Jun-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 03-Jun-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 03-Jun-2019 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1) |
| | 18-Jun-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 10-Jun-2018 | : | Barnwell Country Park, Northants | (4) | | 06-Jun-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3m) | | 06-Jun-2018 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1 ten) | | 18-May-2018 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 18-May-2018 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1) | | 14-May-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m) | | 13-May-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 11-May-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1m) |
| | 30-May-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m,1f) |
| | 05-Jun-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1f) |
| | 10-May-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) |
| | 25-May-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) |
| | 25-Jun-2013 | : | Hickling Broad, Norfolk | (1) | | 25-Jun-2013 | : | Catfield Fen, Norfolk | (4) | | 22-Jun-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 25-May-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1m) | | 25-Apr-2013 | : | Marais du Viguierat, France | (1m) |
| | 17-Jun-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m) |
| | 30-Apr-2011 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3m) |
| | 21-May-2010 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | |
| | 31-May-2009 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | |
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