Spring Surprise: A Bee-fly Encounter at Warnham Local Nature Reserve

On a sunny stroll through Warnham Local Nature Reserve on April 13th, I had the pleasure of spotting one of spring’s more unusual visitors—the Bee-fly.

At first glance, this tiny creature could easily be mistaken for a bee. It hovers with remarkable agility, darting from flower to flower in the warm woodland light. But despite its fuzzy appearance and bee-like flight pattern, the Bee-fly is, in fact, a fly. Its long proboscis is perfectly adapted for feeding on nectar, and it plays a valuable role as an early spring pollinator.

Bee-flies (Bombylius species) are always a delightful find this time of year. They tend to emerge in early spring and can often be seen flitting around sunny woodland paths and open glades. Their mimicry of bees is thought to be a form of protective camouflage, deterring predators while they go about their important pollination work.

It’s moments like these that remind me just how much life stirs beneath our feet and among the blossoms, especially in well-preserved natural spaces like Warnham. If you’re out exploring this season, keep an eye out—you might spot one of these curious little insects, too.

Have you seen any Bee-flies yet this spring? I’d love to hear where and when!