No, not JUST things I've been called over the years, but a selection of what I saw on Saturday!
Forecast was warm and still, and Mrs PB was working, so I decided it was time for proper butterfly looksie, so just took the macro (which stayed in the bag) and the 70-200
Outside the front door, before even getting into the car, shortly after 7:30, a dozen or more House Martins were having a bit of a whiz about
Taking this as a good omen, I headed to Fontmell Down (or at least the very productive track that leads down the hill)
First up, a fly
A gold-dipped fly
Another (different) one of the first fly, less gleamy!
I started to get my eye in, and saw loads of Yellow Dung Fly
Another (again different) of the earlier one.. google lens came up with Rhogogaster this time... and who am I to disagree!?
Initial thoughts of the first moth were Dark Barred Carpet Twinspot, but subsequently it was decided (thanks Wendy & Dorset Butterfly Conservation) that it was a dark form Nettletap
More Dung fly action.... is it yellow-dung fly... or yellow dung-fly, do you reckon?
This looks similar but appears more hairy?!
Up the tree, gorgeous Goldfinch
One of those occasions you wish you brought the big lens...
That light speck in the tree.... Yellowhammer
Back to closer, littler stuff now... Brachycara (obviously!!) ... which I think is that first one again but a better pic
Determined not to fall off its stalk
Some aphid type thingie, probably
No dew to sparkle, but suspended beautifully
Robber Fly?
Flesh Fly
Thanks to Wendy and BD for Hedge Beauty confirmation
A Linda-Fly
A Little Black n Shiny Hoverbeefly
I think this is a dark Bush Cricket
At last I got to the bit of bank along the track that is so good for butterflies... a Large White flew by, but didn't settle... Dingy Skipper
A single Small Blue... but they are so small I could easily have missed some
Now the start of the day... following last years release (I've seen nothing about any this year, but a couple have been spotted elsewhere in Dorset) Glanville Fritillary
One of the Field Moths I think
And this looks bluish, either Holly or Small I think
A couple of Small Heath were flitting about a little further down the track
Grizzled Skipper
More Glanville Frit
There were Marsh Fritillaries too, but going through my images I seem to have managed not to get a photo... unless one of the Glanvilles is!! A Micro Moth of some kind
Grizzled Skipper... there were 4 or 5 together that kept interacting... could tell if it was flirting or fighting!
A Bee
Just the one Adonis Blue
More Dingy-ness
Another Bee, creeping over the flower head
As I was beginning to head home, a Brimstone arrived, and dragged me back
A Swollen Thigh Beetle ended the trip out
But as it was on the way I popped in to see my Mum and Dad, Mayfly on the door frame
Then heading home, a Buzzard was pretty low as I was approaching a lay-by.... rude not to pull in!
When I got home, the House Martins were still about
And the new Starlings were in the garden, looking expectantly about!
And by then it was chore o'clock, so knowing which side my bread is buttered on, I put the camera away and got on with something "useful"!!
Hope it's not too long, but the sun was out!!
Stay Safe All
What a fabulous haul PB ... or should that be Adonis
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
I wonder why so many dung flies appeared when you showed up PB
Was 7.30 no a tad late in the day for you...what a huge amount you were gifted with...
swollen thigh beetle...really??
Linda fly
No photo of mum and dad's dog??
Well done PB on a very productive day ..oh and thanks for sharing ..still pmsl
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
A great selection of photo's PB, never seen half the critters you managed to photograph...
Great selection
Smashing selection and very lucky to have seen all those Butterflies. We have yet to be graced with many. Wonderful.
Thanks Geoff
Thanks Linda, I had to wait for the sun to clear the trees down the track or there is nothing about as it's in shadow, and yes... swollen thigh beetle is real!! The bleedin dog tried to eat the camera so I shut it in another room (the camera, not the dog!)
Thanks Mr Kes, it's the first time I've seen any number this year, just happened across a couple of nice dry consecutive days to give them a chance to wake up!
Cheers Snappy... I could say the same about your birds lol
Wow! what a good selection. You did have a great day. Quite a few on there I have never seen. Love the photos of the Glanville Fritillary, and the blues. I've heard of the Linda flies, but never seen one - they tend to inhabit north of the border in that prehistoric land ...