A treat for the senses

On Sunday, we visited Olav's Wood, a sheltered valley in South Ronaldsay, where a wide variety of trees have been planted. It isn't a huge site, but its glades are often a haven of tranquillity on a windy day. No need of that for this visit, however, as the weather was exceedingly kind, with warm sunshine and a gentle breeze.

Sat on a bench in the sun, we listened to the songs of Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Wren and Sedge Warbler, whilst all about could be heard the gentle buzz of insect life going about its business.

The Dog Roses (or maybe Rosa rugosa) were very photogenic, both as themselves and as a platform for the insects.

The rose flowers were a heavenly haven for hovers, with the predictable consequence of much discussion later as to their identities.

Helophilus pendulus

Sericomyia silentis

Leucozona lucorum

Helophilus pendulus (front) and maybe a Syrphus or Eupeodes species (rear)

Possibly a Neoascia species, but much debate over this one

Rhingia campestris, never too much trouble with the ID of this one

Later, on the way home, we detoured to Hoxa, to check for Odonata in the roadside pools. About a dozen Blue-tailed Damselflies were seen, several of whom were ovipositing females. Happily, news of sightings from other areas of Orkney indicate that we currently have three species of damselfly on the wing (also Large Red and Common Blue), and it shouldn't be long before the first dragonflies are recorded.