Hoverfly Autumn’s Joy

Hoverfly Sightings W/C 3rd November 2025

7^th November

Barnsley Naturalist (BNATs) field meeting: Drizzle on the car windscreen enroute, but it cleared up and ‘turned out nice again’ by the end of the fungi foray. Was another mild day.

Please note this list of records below, is my own taken at the event and that there will be a much more comprehensive list created by Michelle, the BNATs recorder in a few days, go to the BNATs Facebook page for more information. 

 

Observing and finding fungi was the aim of the meeting, led by group leader Doug. No hoverflies were spotted or distracted me today.

Following a similar route to my previous visit, see article Hoverfly Sightings W/C 18^th October 2025 click here, we found and identified 20 species of Fungi, 32 species overall.

Ten of the Fungi were repeats of my previous visit, therefore ten were new to this year's records for this site. This brings the total seen to 53 species within a month. 

The new species spotted include Fairy Ring Champignon, Bachelor’s Button which also goes by the name Poor Man’s Liquorice, a name I really like, The Blusher and the Yellow Fieldcap. We also found a Blackening Waxcap also known as the Witches' hat which I think the photograph above signifies why it has that common name. But the star of the show in terms of abundance as to be the Snowy Waxcap there were so many of them on show and they were at various places around the grounds, but mainly on the grass in front of the building.

6^th November

Visit to Worsborough Country Park – no Hoverflies spotted, was an overcast day even though mild.

There were 32 species of birds spotted in the walk around the country park.

Notable species:

Plenty of Great Crested Grebes in their winter plumage and a small flock of Wigeon on the reservoir.

A large mixed flock of Siskin’s and Goldfinch in the treetops. Nuthatches were as tame as anything I have seen. Thinking about it later the Nuthatches were that close, I reckon I could have snapped some nice photographs, even without a telephoto camera just my phone. Redwing and Fieldfare were on the other hand shy and hidden away in the trees.

Despite the information boards indicating Willow Tits in the area, none were seen or heard.

4^th November

A walk from my house to visit my parents, overcast with light rain. Gusty winds and clouds amassing in the distance. It suggested a downpour, but it never materialised until much later in the afternoon.

With it not raining as forecasted it allowed for a most wonderful walk, full of Nature’s Joy.

Autumn returns, with rustling leaves,
birdsong drifts where summer left.
A Jay glides past with nuts in its crop,
Caching food for colder weather.

Trees glisten bright from a gentle shower,
Yellowed hues— no crimson glow.
False Christmas lights in early bloom,
Halloween barely left the room.

Take your decorations home, please.

Berries gleam, amongst the branches
Dead Nettle’s white flowers peeking.
A Starling flock disturbs the Mistle Thrush,‘zer’r’r’r’r’
Its feast cut short with a startled rush.

A Sparrowhawk flees the gull’s domain,
from sewage spoils it sought in vain.
Is that my mother’s voice I hear—
A Crow’s call echoing Mark, Mark.

Linnets flutter to fields afar,

Skylarks rise like Vaughan Williams’ star.
Dutchman’s breeches drift in sky’s embrace,
while pansies plead for a bee’s brief grace.

Burdock looms, forlorn and dry,
yet clings to fawns that wander by.
A robin whispers for an oaty treat,
Soft and tender, its song discreet.

Three partridge stand, two wagtails call,
One buzzard mews above them all.
Cherry trees bare, their berries gone,
Hoverflies hum where ivy hung.

Luniger and banded, they weave and dart,
escaping webs with a frantic heart.
The humble bumble, last to roam,
marks the end of autumn’s poem.

Hoverflies logged:

Common Banded (Syrphus ribesii) ♀, Grey Spotted (Platycheirus albimanus), Lunuled Apideater (Eupeodes luniger) ♂+♀

Lunuled Aphideater (Eupeodes luniger) & Common Banded (Syrphus ribesii)

Arrived at my parents had a cuppa and some tasty treats - coconut, mango and vanilla balls which were delicious, before heading home with a spring in my step.

3^rd November

The week got off to an unpromising start, an overcast day with gusty winds.

Hoverflies logged:

But what a joy to see this small slender bodied wasp-waisted hoverfly amongst the Ivy in my garden, a Common Dainty Hoverfly (Baccha Elongata) sex unknown.