The first things to catch my eye were a couple of hoverflies. The first picture is Sericomyia silentis, which was nice find as it's the first time I've photographed it. The second is....Well let's just say it's one of the Syrphini, possibly Dasysyrphus venustus or pinastri, but I can't be anywhere near certain from this one photograph.
A Tetragnathid spider posed for a nice view of its underside...
We found several Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries (Boloria selene), which were quite active and struggling with the breeze, but once landed they were relatively easy to approach for photography. The species is subject to a biodiversity action plan in Durham (http://www.durhambiodiversity.org.uk/smallpearl.htm), and was a new species for me.
Another first was the highly elusive and well-camouflaged Tortoise Beetle. Of the common UK species, I suspect this is Cassida rubiginosa.
I missed any photos of the only Adder of the day, though I at least saw it, which is always a joy.
There was some compenstaion though in the form of another reptile, the Common Lizard (Lacerta vivipara). I startled a couple of these before I spotted one that I was able to approach for a photo or two. Not the best pics, as there was foliage in the way, but it was just nice to see it. I'm not an expert, but this looks like a gravid female to me.
