New Arrivals at Nythe Pool

Another walk around Nythe Pool and instead of Swifts overhead today, there were 10 House Martins, probably the most I've ever seen here.

Lots of butterflies around the pool, with Ringlet, Commas, Green-veined White and Large Skippers.

Not too many damselflies about and there was certainly no sign of any Banded Demoiselles, but there were 2 Blue-tailed Damselflies and a female Emperor Dragonfly. With the latter ovipositing in Dorcan Brook.

Quite a few hoverflies about, with my first Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) of the year, a few Marmalade Hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus), Dead Head Fly (Myathropa florea) and The Sun Fly (Helophilus pendulus)

Also about Common Drone Flies (Eristalis tenax) and a Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)

Here are few photos:

A female Emperor Dragonfly........

............ovipositing in several places along Dorcan Brook.

A Blue-tailed Damselfly

One of two Commas here today

I know its hard to see but there are two Large Skippers here. The male on top and somewhere underneath a female.

A Green-veined White. Easily confused with a female Orange-tip, but the black spot is further back on this Green-veined, whereas on the Orange-tip it almost at the front of the forewing.

My first Volucella zonaria of the year..........

.........I normally see this Hornet Mimic Hoverfly on my Buddleia Bush at home

The Sun Fly

And here is the Dead Head Fly a very yellow almost wasp like hoverfly.

A Leaf Cutter Bee I think!

And a side profile shot. I'm sure it is a Leaf Cutter Bee

Thick-headed Fly, Sicus ferrugineus

Thick-headed Fly, Sicus ferrugineus. Closely related to hoverflies. Certainly a new one for me More Here

Green Shieldbug. Perfectly camouflaged as it goes about its business.