The brown hawker (Aeshna grandis) is a large dragonfly about 73 millimetres (2.9 in) long.

It is a distinctive species and is easily recognised, even in flight, by its brown body and bronze wings.

At rest, blue spots on the second and third segments of the male's abdomen can be noticed; these are absent in female.

In Europe, it can be found everywhere from Ireland to the Urals, with some exceptions like Scotland, northernmost Scandinavia and the Iberian and Apennine peninsulas.

It patrols a regular hunting territory around margins which is vigorously defended against intruders.