What's your "most wanted" species?
Everyone has one, don't they? That bird, mammal, butterfly or insect that teases you with a "no show" every time you go looking for it. Years of staring out to sea, searching through flocks or craning your neck looking into treetops hoping for that glimpse. When I started birdwatching, the bittern was my most wanted bird, then when I got into butterflies, the purple emperor; fungi was the grotesque devil's fingers and so on.
A long waitI was very lucky to have been tutored in hoverflies by John O'Sullivan, Bedfordshire hoverfly recorder when he was also working here at RSPB HQ at The Lodge. Lunchtimes peering into the flowerbeds with "JOS" were much anticipated - and enjoyed - as I soaked up his knowledge and enthusiasm. My interest in this fabulous, and underrated, group of wildlife remains strong to this day. And so to that "most wanted...
JOS told stories of a near mythical beast that I should glue my eyes to patches of flowering ivy to in the late autumn. This late season hoverfly rarity had been recorded in Bedfordshire but it was a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species - one of the highest conservation importance, having only been recorded in a handful of places.
The mythical "golden hoverfly" - Callicera spinolae (image c Mark Ward)
For the last four autumns, I have spent hours watching for the golden flash of said creature: Callicera spinolae, otherwise known as the "golden hoverfly". The spread of the beautiful ivy bee into Bedfordshire has meant that the ivy has been full of activity. Other beautiful hoverflies such as Sericomyia silentis, Volucella zonaria and others enetrtained, but alas I could not strike gold.
Striking goldHowever, my moment finally came just over a week ago. As is often the case when you search, and even dream, of that elusive "most wanted", it came shockingly easily, but it was no anti-climax. Far from it. I walked the very same lane I have scoured religiously, noting how the ivy had not flowered yet. At the very end of the stretch, was a sizable patch next to a paddock which is always full of life. Surprisingly this patch was in flower and as I peered closer to soak up the buzz of the abundant ivy bees, suddenly hovering just inches before my face - a face that soon turned to shock, then elation - was a beautiful vision of gold - Callicera spinolae! I was torn between getting a photograph on my phone in case I wasn't believed, letting JOS and others know and actually watching it. In the end I managed all three as I soaked in a golden glow for 15 minutes as the stunner went about its business.
The next day, I was joined by JOS and another top naturalist Dave Buckingham, one of the RSPB's Conservation Scientists and I escorted them to the spot. Lo and behold, I was onto the Callicera within seconds of us arriving as it was in exactly the same spot. It''s nice to find something rare, but even better when you can share it.
A golden glowJust under a week later, I had some time to get back down there and I found two large clumps of ivy in flower in the same area. I walked up to the second where unbelievably, within seconds that heart stopping flash of gold appeared again. This was a female which also posed well for photos and video. My Calliceras are well documented - always important for rare species! I wandered back to the spot where I had seen the male where incredibly, I found a second female Callicera that also paraded before me.
Golden hoverfly - Callicera spinolae - and ivy bee (image c Mark Ward)
Is it like buses, or was it just a case of being in the right place at the right time? Well, thankfully this species is being turned up more regularly now which hopefully means it is doing well.
What's on your hit list?All those years of blanks were now firmly wiped from my memory. This has been a golden autumn already. Now I just need a new "most wanted"...
Let us know what your most wanted is by leaving a comment or emailing natureshome@rspb.org.uk Whether you're still waiting or have a story about the time you finally connected, we'd love to know.