Small Tortoiseshells Appear

After bemoaning the lack of small tortoiseshells, I was obviously pleased when one turned up on Tuesday. 

Small Tortoiseshell

I didn't say so earlier but I did have a slight notion that the chances would be better at the end of summer and they have been appearing regularly since. Today there were three in the garden on two occasions - so the famine is over if not exactly a feast.

Butterfly appearances have generally hit the high spot over the last week. Some while ago I decided not to repeatedly take photos of the same species.  It would be nice to capture several together but so far they've been too widely spread on the buddleia.  I reckon the most frequent visitors have been red admiral and painted lady, the latter perhaps preferring to wait for the sun to warm up - unlike the single red admiral that turned up during the solar eclipse.

Red Admiral and Painted Lady

A holly blue was also seen again today.

Away from butterflies, I encountered a minor rarity earlier this week in the form of this hornet hoverfly.

These can grow up to two inches long and the photo doesn't do justice to the size.

Hornet Hoverfly

I thought it was too yellow for a bee on seeing it from a distance but it was fairly easy to work out it was a fly.  Fortunately I haven't seen any hornets.  

One bee did catch my interest today but I think it is probably just a dark buff-tailed bumblebee queen. Note the gingery tail band.

Buff-tailed Bumblebee Queen

For some reason, it made me reflect that I haven't recorded any garden bumblebees this year, perhaps dismissing them as buff-tailed.  I shall keep a more careful lookout - if it's not too late.