July Bits and Pieces

I found the first Common Darter of the year, a male on July 25th flying around the pond. This year does not seem to have been a particularly good one for the variety of dragonflies using the pond - I suspect that Southern Hawkers may have taken over!

On July 28th, a male Volucella zonaria hoverfly was seen feeding on Oregano flowers at the bottom of the drive. I do not often observe the males of these hoverflies, most of my sightings have been of females. This male seemed to be much more wary than the females I have seen and was quick to fly off if I ventured too near. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera on me at the time.