Norfolk Hawker

The optimum conditions for breeding appear to be unspoilt grazing marsh dyke systems with clean, non-saline water, rushy margins, preferably with an abundance of water soldier as well as other aquatic plants.

The main threats to this species come from the conversion of grazing marsh to arable farming, inappropriate ditch management, nutrient enrichment, pollution, the impact of global climate change and fluctuations in water levels.

The Norfolk Hawker is currently restricted to the fens and grazing marshes that are relatively isolated from polluted water in the Broadlands of Norfolk and Northeast Suffolk. A Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) for the Norfolk Hawker has been drafted for Norfolk.

Brown Hawker

• Brown wings.
• Blue-brown eyes.
• Blue and yellow markings.

General management principles include maintaining grazing marshes, controlling saline intrusion, controlling nutrient enrichment. There are also best practice guidelines for managing inhabited sites, particularly the dyke vegetation and the surrounding terrestrial habitats.

Work is underway to restore habitats for this species in Norfolk.

• Length: 67mm
• Clear wings.
• Green eyes.
• Brown body.
• Yellow triangular mark near the top of abdomen.
• Males: wasted abdomen
• Females: bulkier, parallel abdomen.