At the very end of May 2023 I visited the new forest to look for the Green Forest Hoverfly - Caliprobola speciosa, a striking but very rare hoverfly which is only found there and in Windsor Great Park. It breeds in decaying stumps of hardwood trees especially beech, and these have to be in a sunny spot. I knew of a couple of sites where they had been spotted (both nice and near to car parks) and so I thought why not try my luck. This was an ideal target species for me as I could just locate a likely tree stump, set up my camping chair and wait. I was in luck and saw at least one individual at both sites I tried. My photos aren't the best as they didn't keep still for long and I couldn't get close enough to them in time, meaning the photos are quite heavily cropped. It was great to see and record this iconic New Forest species though.
On later visit to the New Forest, when I was mainly
looking for fungi, I made a couple of detours to look at some local
botanical specialities. Also, on one occasion, whilst sitting down
eating my lunch I was visited by the always heard but seldom seen Wood Cricket - Nemobius sylvestris.
Green Forest Hoverfly - Caliprobola speciosa
It is distinctive in flight as it always has its back legs dangling conspicuously.
Orange-belted Leaf-licker - Xylota segnis
Yellow Centaury - Cicendia filiformis
Chamomile - Chamaemelum nobile & Pennyroyal - Mentha pulegium
Pennyroyal - Mentha pulegium
Small Fleabane - Pulicaria vulgaris
Wood Cricket - Nemobius sylvestris
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