It's been a great few days for wildlife. Last night I saw my first ever dragonfly in the garden and then, eating with friends as it got dark, bats flew over our heads, sweeping low. In ten years I have never seen bats in the garden. It bodes well. It all makes me want to put in a huge pond.
My tentative ID is some kind of hoverfly? It's quite big, bigger than a honeybee. Any ideas for a more specific ID (or a correct ID, if I'm completely on the wrong track)?
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Not a pic of an insect but I am delighted to say that, as I was sitting chatting with a friend in the garden, I noticed hoverflies feeding on the begonias. I didn't know they were useful to any wildlife.
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I've noticed a lot of bumbles with their bums out, stuck into my Red Velour too. I'm really hoping there is something in there for them and they are not coming up empty. Again, petunias are not known for their wildlife value - often having their sexual parts morphed to give more petals....
Not a pic of an insect but I am delighted to say that, as I was sitting chatting with a friend in the garden, I noticed hoverflies feeding on the begonias. I didn't know they were useful to any wildlife.
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I had a bat in the garden the other night, it was a big one and the first one for quite a few years.
We used to get them at work inside the warehouse, probably Pipistrelle and they always put on a fantastic show.
https://www.uksafari.com/inane_hoverflies.htm
Common wasp (?) feeding on Astrantia major ‘Roma’
Yes, hoverflies are useful insects in more than one way. See Hoverflies What Are They And Why Are They Important