Bank Holiday in the Dells

Monday was a bank holiday so for my regular walk along the Water of Leith in the Dells, I left the litter picker at home and Crafty Green Boyfriend came along and took most of the photos below. The weather was lovely and there were plenty of birds around including this very round Robin

There were also plenty of insects to see. We saw a surprising number of Hairy Shieldbugs (below) in a small area 

and in the same relatively small area we saw a good number of different hoverflies, including this Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta)

this Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma sp)

 this Banded Hoverfly (Syrphus sp) (with 7-Spot Ladybird) 

 and this Common Dainty (Baccha elongata) which we don't see particularly often, though it is apparently quite common

Other insects included several butterflies, including Comma  

and Small Tortoiseshell 

Also a Scorpion Fly  

and a Dark-edged Bee Fly 

A lovely way to spend a bank holiday!