As we head towards midsummer, Le Grand Pré Nature Reserve is looking very different. The pond is only just visible through Slender Thistle and Meadow Buttercup. Birds are quite secretive as they are in full breeding mode and together with the flourishing vegetation they can be difficult to see.
This is the time of year when my interest turns to insects, particularly Hoverflies, of which there are over 280 species in the British Isles. Some are easily identified, others are a nightmare and most do not have a common name. First up is Heliophilus pendulus, cleaning its front feet. This very elegant hoverfly, with its striped thorax, is often seen near water.
Next is the Hornet mimic, Volucella zonaria. It is a very convincing mimic with photos apearing on social media asking if it’s an Asian Hornet. It is the largest of the British Hoverflies, with a wing length up to nearly 20mm. Especially striking are the tawny yellow wings.
All Hoverflies are completely harmless, they do not sting or bite. Their survival strategy is to look like insects that do sting or bite. Many copy the yellow and black coloration of wasps, hornets and some bees which warn off potential predators. There are more Hoverfly photos from today which I hope to add if I can get an ID for them. As can be seen from the photos, the Hogweed and Hemlock Water-dropwort are very attractive to insects as the masses of tiny flowers on the umbels provide plenty of food. Hemlock Water-dropwort has a reputation for being poisonous – and indeed the roots are poisonous to livestock. It grows profusely in damp or wet areas of Guernsey. Work is undertaken to keep it under control, but it is a valuable food plant for insects and insectivores. It has finely cut leaves, unlike Hogweed, and when bruised smells like celery.
One of the daintiest group of insects to be found near water are the Damsel Flies. This was a male Blue Damsel Fly from this morning, enjoying the sunshine.
Coming soon will be a post on my new moth trap – several new species have been added to my garden record this week.
I also had a couple of bird-ringing days with Trevor – mainly Goldfinch and a few Great Tits and Sparrows, and the odd moth or two.
Natural history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey 
Dear Julie I am enjoying reading these – and even if I only retain 1% of all the information, I shall have learned a lot!! My favourite in this one is the beautiful blue damsel – what an elegant creature. Thank you – With love Ali x
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Thank you, part of the reason for starting this website was to be able to refer back to photos and information. It certainly isn’t all in my head. Writing about it helps to cement it in! 🙂
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