Robin Parker
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thegreatskua.bsky.social
Robin Parker
@thegreatskua.bsky.social
Insects, birds & plants mainly.
Somerset, UK
Patient and majestic, a statuesque Grey Heron at Roughmoor in Taunton this morning.
#ukbirding
October 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
The Sentinel.

A Cormorant surveys the scene at Longrun Meadow in Taunton this morning.
#ukbirding
October 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Still plenty of insect action at RSPB Greylake on the Somerset Levels this morning: Eupeodes latifasciatus hoverfly, Anthocomoys rufus beetle, 22-spot Ladybird & Migrant Hawker dragonfly.
#bugsky
October 9, 2025 at 4:19 PM
It’s always a joy to see a Stoat, even if only very briefly. This one bounced across a path at RSPB Greylake in the Somerset Levels this morning & I managed just a single photo before it disappeared into the vegetation.
#ukwildlife
October 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I was surprised to see a European Hornet (Vespa crabro) resting on a pair of jeans pegged to the washing line earlier this afternoon. Unconcerned by my presence, after about 10 minutes, she excreted, waggled her abdomen for a few seconds and then flew off.
#bugsky
October 8, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Saw only my second ever Didea fasciata (Pale-knobbed Lucent) hoverfly, in Taunton this morning, with the distinctive “ski goggle” markings on the abdomen.
#bugsky
October 6, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Fortunately, I caught this Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum) moving from the corner of my eye as I walked past it today, the camouflage against the plant stem is terrific.
#bugsky
September 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
European Hornet (Vespa Crabro) and Hornet Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) on the same patch of ivy in Taunton today. The mimicry of the hoverfly is much more effective when it is flying.
September 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
A Bedeguar Gall, aka Robin’s Pincushion on a Dog Rose stem, which is caused by the larvae of Dipoloepis rosae, a tiny gall wasp - at Longrun Meadow in Taunton today.
September 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
A Tachina fera fly nectaring on Devils-bit Scabious at Ash Priors Common near Taunton today.
#bugsky
September 5, 2025 at 6:19 PM
One of my favourite hoverflies, a Dasysyrphus albostriatus (Stripe-backed Fleckwing), feeding on a potted Dahlia on our patio in Taunton today.
#bugsky
August 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Had a couple of insect “lifers” today, with a Bright Four-spined Legionnaire soldierfly (Chorisops nagatomii) in the dining room, and an Eristalinus aeneus hoverfly on our Taunton patio (normally a coastal species).
#bugsky
#diptera
‪@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social‬
August 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The Conopid fly Physocephala rufipes (Waisted Bee-grabber) at Longrun Meadow in Taunton this morning.
#bugsky
#diptera
July 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
It was good to see this Eristalinus sepulchralis hoverfly at Roughmoor in Taunton this morning, with its fabulous spotted eyes - the first one I’ve seen away from the Somerset Levels.
#bugsky
July 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
One of the Gasteruption species of Carrot Wasp nectaring on Fennel in our garden today, another stunning example of insect architecture.
#bugsky
#diptera
July 13, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Pleased to see a couple of Conops quadrifasciatus (Four-banded Beegrabber) at Longrun Meadow in Taunton today, fabulous insects.
#bugsky
#diptera
July 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A stunning male Horsefly (Tabanus autumnalis possibly) at RSPB Greylake on the Somerset Levels yesterday. Those eyes…
#bugsky
#diptera
July 3, 2025 at 7:52 PM
A female Leafcutter Bee in action in our garden in Taunton today.
#bugsky
June 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
‘Arrangement in Yellow and Black’.
Two fine examples from Taunton yesterday: Large Spearhorn hoverfly (Chrysotoxum cautum) and Spotted Longhorn beetle (Rutpela maculata).
#bugsky
June 9, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Pleased to record two new species in our Taunton garden today: Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum) and Pied Plumehorn hoverfly (Volucella pellucens).
#bugsky
#ukwildlife
June 6, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Some cracking insects at RSPB Greylake on the Somerset Levels today: Stratiomys singularior (Flecked General soldierfly), Volucella bombylans hovefly, Fredegunda diluta (Ichneumon wasp) & Cantharis fusca (Soldier beetle).
#bugsky
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
June 2, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I was fortunate to get a side view of this female Anasimyia lineata (Snouted Duckfly) hoverfly at Roughmoor in Taunton this morning without disturbing it, showing the extraordinary protruding mouth to good effect.
#bugsky
May 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
A couple of smart insects seen down a quiet lane in Taunton today: a male Chrysotoxum cautum hoverfly (my first ever) and a smart male Broad Centurion (Chloromyia formosa).
#bugsky
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
May 22, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Some good Soldierfly action at Greylake RSPB reserve on the Somerset Levels today, with this beautiful fresh Ornate Brigadier (Odontomyia ornata) and plenty of Black Colonels (Odontomyia tigrina).
#bugsky
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social
May 20, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A brilliant day for #longhornbeetles at Greylake RSPB reserve on the Somerset Levels today. Names in the Alt text.
#bugsky
#ukwildlife
@theponker.bsky.social
May 20, 2025 at 5:19 PM