David Holland's photos

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) Bromley "The Essex Skipper forms discrete colonies that vary from a small number of individuals to several thousand. Where it occurs it can therefore be very common. This species is very similar in appearance to the Small Skipper and, because of this similarity, was not recognised as a separate species until 1889. The male is distinguished from the female by the sex brand on its forewings, which is a short line of specialised scent scales. Despite its name, the Essex Skipper is now found over much of the southern half of England and it was first recorded in Wales in 2000 and in Wexford in south-east Ireland in 2006. On the British mainland it is to generally be found south of a line between Dorset and North Lincolnshire. It is believed that the increase in distribution is being assisted by the steep and grass-covered embankments that are often found on motorways and major trunk roads which acted as corridors - allowing this species to reach new locations more easily."

Broadbean Weevil (Bruchus rufimanus), Bromley, the approximate size is 4.17 mm, magnification is 2.52

Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus, Elmley Nature Reserve

Common hare, (Lepus europaeus) , Elmley Marshes

Vestal Cuckoo Bumble Bee Bombus vestalis, Elmley National Nature Reserve from www.bumblebeeconservation.org/learn-about-bumblebees/spec... the host species is host species, the Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) Elmley Marshes

Fairy-ring Longhorn Beetle, Pseudovadonia livida, Elmley Nature Reserve according to Steve Falk " A rather small (5-9mm) but stout, black and buff-coloured longhorn with the tip of the elytra broadly rounded. It is widely recorded in southern England but with most records in the south-east and along the south coast. It can be especially abundant on coastal grasslands and is almost entirely restricted to the coast in south-west England. The larvae develop soil infested with the fairy-ring fungus Marasmius oreades and take two years to mature. Adults like to visit the flowers of umbellifers such as Hogweed and Wild Carrot."

Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia), Elmley Nature Reserve

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus), Elmley Nature Reserve Species description © - Nick Greatorex-Davies The Large Skipper is a common butterfly that occurs in distinct colonies in sheltered uncut grassland in such situations as open scrub, along hedgerows and woodland rides and glades where its larvae feed on coarse grasses, particularly Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata). The species is expanding its range in Britain though colonies continue to be lost within its range due to habitat loss. (For further details on this species see www.butterfly-conservation.org/) . Status Resident Status since 1976 is Rapid decline with a change of -31.5% since monitoring began for this species. Status over the last 20 years is Stable with a change of -18.9% Status over the last 10 years is Stable with a change of -27.3% ukbms.org/species/large-skipper

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) from ukbms.org/species/painted-lady Species description © - Nick Greatorex-Davies The Painted Lady arrives in the UK in the spring as a migrant from North Africa every year, with numbers arriving fluctuating considerably from one year to the next. Vast numbers arrive in some years (e.g. 1996, 2009). Offspring from the early migrants can be seen until the first frosts in the autumn. Thistles (e.g. Circium spp.) are the most frequently used foodplant in the UK. Unlike our other Vanessids the adults do not normally survive our British winter. (For further details on this species see www.butterfly-conservation.org/) . Status Regular migrant Status since 1976 is Stable with a change of 64.4% since monitoring began for this species. Status over the last 20 years is Stable with a change of -39.5% Status over the last 10 years is Stable with a change of -46.8%

Fiery Clearwing (Pyropteron chrysidiforme), Elmley Nature Reserve "Wingspan 15-23mm. This is a very rare and endangered moth which is easily recognised with the bright orange margins to the forewings. It occurs on clifftops in Kent. The moths fly in late June and into July and may be found in flight over their foodplant, which is dock (Rumex spp). The larvae mine the roots of several Rumex species." www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/pyropteron-chrysidiformis

The Lackey Malacosoma neustria, Elmley Nature Reserve, The adults of this species are relatively dull in coloration, but the caterpillars are much more colourful, with orange, white and blue stripes on a dark brown ground colour. The larvae feed gregariously in a web of silk, on hawthorn (Crataegus), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and other trees and shrubs. Occurring mainly in the southern half of Britain, the flight period is July to August. www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/malacosoma-neustria

Eucera longicornis (Long-horned Bee), Elmley National Nature Reserve, from Steve Falk www.flickr.com/photos/63075200@N07/albums/72157633087865547 "A large solitary bee (body length about 13mm) with strikingly long male antennae and two submarginal cells. Females are much more robust than males and have dusting at the sides of tergites 2 and 3 and the hind margin of tergite 4. They are perhaps most likely to be confused with species like Anthophora furcata (three submarginal cells). Eucera longicornis is one of Britain's most highly declined bees, having disappeared from most of the counties of southern Britain where it was present in the early twentieth century. Today the majority of its few surviving colonies are coastal. with a perhaps a few dozen sites inland, including a few in the Midlands. A variety of habitats can be exploited including coastal soft-rock cliffs, hay meadow, lightly-grazed pasture, quarries, heathland and woodland rides. It is dependent upon flowering legumes as pollen sources, notably Meadow Vetchling, Kidney vetch, everlasting peas, Vicia vetches and clovers. A variety of other flowers are visited for nectar and males are known to be attracted sexually to Bee Orchid flowers. Nesting occurs in light soils, especially slopes and banks but nests are not often found. Adults fly mainly from late May to mid July with a peak that varies according to whatever the main forage plant happens to be. Its special cuckoo bee, Nomada sexfasciata, is now seemingly confined to a single E. longicornis colony in South Devon. A second Eucera species, E. nigrescens, occurred in south-east England historically but has not been seen since 1970 and may now be extinct. See album for that species for distinctions. Eucera longicornis is a UK BAP Priority species subject to a JNCC action plan: jncc.defra.gov.uk/_speciespages/2256.pdf BWARS account: www.bwars.com/index.php?q=bee/apidae/eucera-longicornis "

Hoverfly, Elmley National Nature Reserve,