Southern hawker
This is a fairly common and widespread species in the New Forest.
Southern hawkers spend a fair amount of time away from water, so this dragonfly can be seen almost anywhere in the New Forest, either at lakes and pools or out on the open heath or along woodland rides far from water. In the UK it is common and widespread south of a line drawn from Liverpool to Norfolk.
Southern hawkers require still water to breed in and can be found at any of the New Forest lakes or larger ponds. However they spend so much time away from water that there is no need to go to a specific site to see them. A walk in the woods any time from late July to late September will usually enable you to see one or two zooming up and down the rides.
