I like flies (amongst other things)... Phil and Mel Collins have been 'cultivating' some stunning little Picture Wing Flies called Urophora cardui that lay their eggs in the stem on Creeping Thistle which then develop into a swelling on the stem that you can see around the reserve. Seeing the adults ia another matter so being able to get up close to this dapper little fly today was a real treat....
And here is the swollen thistle stem that they emerged from.....
22-5-14