The Southern Hawker

Our many ponds and lakes host a good range of dragonflies and damselflies. The most impressive are the large 'hawkers'. These are beginning to be regularly seen now and are worth watching for. They will often be seen away from the ponds, flying strongly over grassland areas and hunting along the woodland edges. Good areas to look include the botanic gardens, the pond and fields to the east of the Mountjoy buildings and the field below the reservoir (on the left as you go up the hill towards Mountjoy). Sightings include the impressive Emperor and this beauty, the Southern Hawker. (click on photo to enlarge.)