The hoverfly Callicera rufa has been photographed at Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve
Holme Dunes on the Norfolk coast – a first record for East Anglia.
Robert Smith, a volunteer at NWT Holme Dunes spotted it in July in the pine trees. He said: “I'd just finished my normal moth trap rounds and as I entered the Pines I found the hover resting on the wooden structure just off the coastal footpath. I managed to obtain the picture and then it flew off.”
Until recently, Callicera rufa was thought to be restricted to the Caledonian pinewoods in Scotland, but in the past couple of years five have been found in England. The first one was in 2009 from Nottinghamshire, followed by one in 2011 in Hertfordshire and three in 2013 (one in Shropshire and two in Staffordshire). This sighting is the first time it has been seen in East Anglia. Verification of Callicera rufa came via the British Hoverfly Facebook group.
NWT Holme Dunes warden, Gary Hibberd said: “This is a very special sighting, especially as adults are rarely photographed. The fly was only present for seconds, so Robert’s quick thinking with the camera made all the difference. It’s a great find for Robert who spends many hours at Holme looking for insects of interest on the site.”
At Norfolk’s northwest corner, where The Wash meets the North Sea, Holme Dunes is superbly located to attract migrating birds. It also holds a variety of important habitats which support numerous other wildlife species including natterjack toads, butterflies and dragonflies, as well as a large number of interesting plants.