Bee-fly takes a rest

As far as I am concerned, spring has not arrived until I see bee-flies hovering in front of my primulas and pulmonarias in the garden, feeding on nectar with their long proboscis. Today there were a number doing just that - all Bombylius major, the Dark-edged bee-fly. This one was taking a rest on the surface of my pond. It is fairly widespread in the southern half of the UK. It has three rarer cousins, two of which are confined to the south and west. Another, Bombylius discolor, the Dotted bee-fly, is spreading, so if you see one with spots on the wing rather than this dark edge, it is worth reporting to the Soldierflies and Allies Recording Scheme (easily googled).